Hi Guys

latest update follows - as of 6th May 2016

The member clubs of the Lower North Island Hunter Liaison Group (12 NZDA branches and 3 clubs) have been busy over the past months primarily with WARO (Wild Animal Recovery Operations – heli hunting of deer) related issues. Below is a summary of activity:

·         After less confrontational methods proved fruitless the Group hired law firm DLA Piper to assist in challenging the 2015 WARO review decisions. 

·         After pressure from the Group and others, DOC carried out a review of the Ruahine changes and just before Christmas they rescinded those changes albeit with a few fish-hooks which would allow them to issue short term WARO concessions. They have refused to review the Tararua, Rimutaka and reserves changes.

·         On a positive note multiparty meetings have begun to discuss long term deer management in the Ruahines. However its early days yet.

·         We are left with either continuing the challenge to the High Court (judicial review) or rolling over and accepting the significant changes to the Tararuas and Rimutakas and hoping they don’t fudge a re-opening of the Ruahines if we back away from court. Please note that one official information request identified a DOC wish to open all of the Ruahines to the heli’s through the ongoing CMS review.

·         We resolved to pursue the matter through the High Court and to seek a legal entity status which not only suited the legal challenge but would also provide an entity in the future which might form the management group for possibilities like Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) areas under the Game Animal Council Act.

·         We have now formed the Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation Incorporated, accounts are set up and since last Sunday donations have been rolling in.

·         The challenge is almost ready to lodge with the High Court and hopefully within the next 7 to 10 days the Minister should get the paperwork from the court.

·         None of this is cheap, but the alternative is to bend over and take it and in doing so very likely lose even more in the future. To date $13000 has been expended by the branches and clubs. More is needed. We have achieved a conditional rescinding of the Ruahine openings but we need to entrench it and overturn the Tararua and Rimutaka changes.

·         Costs have been shared between the club members of the Group/Foundation though Hutt Valley Branch has carried the lions share pending repayment by other member clubs. NZDA National office have also come to the party and have donated $5000 towards the foundations future management and in late April a further $2500 towards costs incurred.

·         Other donations are needed and the word needs to go out to all hunters whether members or not as we all benefit from the spending so spread the word please. This challenge is about standing up for a lasting fair deal by the only pragmatic option left to us.

·        So please consider donating and help us push for a sustainable fair deal for hunters. Donations to the

Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation Incorporated.  Kiwi Bank acct #             38 9017 0707871 01

·         Check out our Facebook page (LNI Red Deer Foundation) for more info and a donation form if you want a receipt.

·         Please donate and spread the word, time to make a stand.

Thanks

Gordon George (GG)

President, Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation Inc.

 

 

 

Below please find some links to various documents and emails (just one string) and some of the history from when we last had to stop DOC opening up the Ruahines to WARO in 2011. We will add more as time goes by.

 

 

Factsheet for review of conditions of national WARO permit activity in Ruahines - DOC-2541121.docx

WARO emails Janine Sidery of DOC.docx

Min Con MB WARO review questions Mar15.docx

Hunters in stand off- Manawatu std 1-8-11.docx