Welcome to the Hutt Valley Branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association — we’re stoked to have you on board.

Our branch is one of the most active in the country, with access to excellent member facilities and a strong, supportive hunting and conservation community. Members enjoy access to Kaitoke Range Complex, including rifle and rimfire ranges, a 30 meter bow range, practical shooting facilities, and regular coaching clinics to help everyone from first-timers to seasoned hunters sharpen their skills.

We also operate modern clubrooms at the Maidstone Sports Hub, which are the heart of our branch — a place for club nights, training, yarns, and catching up with like-minded hunters. Beyond the facilities, you’ll find a busy calendar of hunts, competitions, training courses, and conservation work, all backed by a committee and volunteers who are passionate about safe, ethical hunting and looking after the future of our sport. Whether you’re here to learn, contribute, or just enjoy good company and time in the hills, you’re very welcome here.

If you want to contact the branch office please email: huttvalley@deerstalkers.org.nz

Kaitoke Range Complex

Kaitoke Range Complex is the home range of the Hutt Valley Branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, nestled in Pakuratahi Forest, just north of Upper Hutt. Operated by the branch for over 40 years, the range has a long history of supporting safe, responsible firearms use and hunter training in the Wellington region.

The complex offers a range of facilities including centrefire rifle ranges, rimfire (.22) ranges, practical shooting areas, and dedicated spaces for training and coaching, along with a 30-meter archery range. It is regularly used for rifle zeroing, skills development clinics, competitions, and organized training courses, while still catering for everyday member use. Maintained and improved by volunteers over decades, Kaitoke is more than just a shooting range — it’s a cornerstone facility that supports hunting education, conservation outcomes, and a strong, connected hunting community.

Members wanting to access the Kaitoke Range Complex are required to go through the Range Use Induction (RUI) process. This is an online and in-person training and vetting programme to ensure that members are suitable trained to use the range facilities. Please note, if you do not have a current Firearms License, but wish to use the dedicated archery range you will be required to under take a standard NZ Police background check before completing the RUI programme.

The in-person RUI safety training briefings are held on the last Sunday of every month (excluding December), for more information or to start the RUI process please email: hvnzda.range@deerstalkers.org.nz

Club Nights

Our monthly Club Night is held on the third Wednesday of every month at our clubrooms part of  Te Kupenga o Rongomai Maidstone Sports Hub (click the link for address and details). Doors open from 6:30 pm, with the meeting starting at 7:00 pm.

New members and members of the public are very welcome. Club night is a relaxed, friendly introduction to the Hutt Valley Branch and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association. We have a licensed bar, hot nibbles, and a great mix of guest speakers, hunting and shooting updates, trip reports, training opportunities, and conservation and wildlife management work being carried out by the branch and NZDA nationally. It’s a great place to ask questions, meet experienced hunters, learn how hunters contribute positively to conservation outcomes, and see what the branch is all about.

Club Hunts

Club Hunts are a big part of what we do at the Hutt Valley Branch and are one of the best ways for members to build skills, confidence, and friendships in the hills. We run a range of organized hunts throughout the year on public and permitted land, catering for different experience levels — from newer hunters through to very experienced hands.