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• Committee Meeting

  • Start
    8 Oct 2026
  •  
  • End
    9 Dec 2027
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  Our committee meetings are open to all members, and we encourage anyone interested in helping to organise and support the club to come along.  

  These meetings are where we plan upcoming events, discuss conservation projects, and make decisions that keep the branch running smoothly.

  Members are encouraged to contribute ideas or propose events for the committee to consider. To keep meetings efficient, we ask that any proposals be submitted by email 7 days in advance so they can be circulated to the committee before the meeting.

  For more information or to submit a proposal please email info@southernlakesnzda.org.nz.

  Voting on decisions remains the role of committee members.
  
  When: 2nd Thursday of every month, 7:30pm
  Where: Online via Zoom
  How to join: A Zoom link will be shared with members on registration

  Show details
• Stewart Island Hunting Trip – 10–18 October 2026

  • Start
    10 Oct 2026
  • End
    18 Oct 2026
  • Location
    Stewart Island
  • Spaces left
    4
  • Registered
    5 registrants

  Register

   

  REGISTER HERE 
  

  Stewart Island Hunting Trip – 10–18 October 2026

  This is a unique opportunity to hunt, fish, dive and relax down on Stewart Island.

  One of our club members has secured access to two hunting blocks — South West Arm and Fred’s Camp.

  We are looking for expressions of interest, with a maximum of 10 people across the two blocks. Places will be first in, first served.

  When: 10–18 October 2026
  Cost: Approx. $500 per person (TBC), with a $300 deposit
  What’s included: Ferry/flight to Oban, hut fee, dinghy hire and some self-catered food
  What to bring: Food, rifle, dive gear, bedding and camping equipment. A more detailed gear list will be provided closer to the trip.
  Numbers: Maximum 10 people across the two blocks
  Trip leader: Jason Reid

  If you would prefer a shorter trip, this may be possible. We can confirm the exact arrangements with those who register their interest.

  The trip is open to current members and potential new members.

  Permits: DOC permits will be required before departure. Jason will organise these with those who register.

  If you're interested, please get in touch with Jason Reid on 021 156 1049. You can also come along to the next club meeting if you'd like to have a chat about the trip.

  Spaces are limited, so get in quick!

  REGISTER HERE 

  Show details
• 2026 HUNTS course (Hunter National Training Scheme)

  • Start
    17 Oct 2026
  • End
    15 Nov 2026
  • Location
    Queenstown area
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Hunter National Training Scheme

  
  

  Get started on your hunting journey with HUNTS

  We're now at the point of firming up participant numbers and would appreciate hearing from those who are still keen to take part, having seen the proposed course dates and cost outlined below.

  The NZDA HUNTS Course is New Zealand's nationally recognised hunter training program and has helped generations of hunters develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge required to hunt safely, ethically, and responsibly in New Zealand's outdoors. Whether your goal is to harvest your first animal, develop your bushcraft skills, improve your marksmanship, or simply gain confidence in the hills, this course provides a fantastic opportunity to learn from experienced hunters while meeting like minded hunters from around the Southern Lakes region. The program combines classroom learning, practical training, range time, and a mentored hunting experience, providing a solid foundation for a lifetime of hunting and outdoor adventures.

  No firearms licence is required—just a keen interest and a reasonable level of fitness.

  Course Overview

  17-18 October | Queenstown (NZ)

  Build the foundations of safe, ethical, and successful hunting while developing the knowledge and decision-making skills every hunter should have before heading into the field. The weekend concludes with a practical game meat care and butchery session, teaching participants how to make the most of their harvest.

  31 October - 1 November | Queenstown and Cardrona Valley Shooting Range

  Continue developing practical hunting skills before spending the day on the range, building confidence in firearm handling, marksmanship, and safe shooting techniques under experienced instruction.

  14-15 November | Hunt Weekend (Location TBA)

  Put everything you've learned into practice during an overnight hunting experience, applying your new skills in a real-world environment alongside experienced hunters. The weekend also includes river crossing skills training and development.

  Backup Hunt Weekend: 21-22 November (if required).

  Course Contents:

  • Hunting techniques
  • Species knowledge
  • Game utilisation (skinning, butchering, etc)
  • Firearm safety in a hunting context
  • Practical shooting and hunting ballistics
  • Essential bush skills
  • River safety

  Participants must have a reasonable level of physical fitness and access to personal tramping equipment.

  Cost per person $600 (Incl GST)

  Includes:

  • Southern Lakes NZDA membership through to March 2027
  • Public liability insurance cover required for participation on approved private hunting properties
  • NZDA HUNTS course fees and manuals
  • Accommodation during the hunt component
  • Stoney Creek high visibility vest and cap
  • Course completion certificate

  Weekend 1

  Saturday, all day, start time 8:30am

  Location: Queenstown

  Welcome, housekeeping, and introductions. Bring a pen/pencil and paper for taking notes, and your lunch. Tea, coffee, biscuits, and manuals will be provided.

  Modules covered:

  • Ethics, Ecology & Regulations
  • Game Animal Species in New Zealand
  • Meat, Skins & Trophies
  • Hunting Techniques
  • Firearms Selection, Safety & Marksmanship

  Sunday, start time 8:30am (done by early afternoon)

  Location: Local hobby farm – details provided Saturday

  Hands-on butchery session and knife sharpening

  Weekend 2

  Saturday, all day, start time 8:30am

  Location: Queenstown 

  Course modules covered:

  • Equipment & Food
  • Travel & Navigation
  • When Things Go Wrong (Emergency management)

  Sunday, most of the day, start time 8:30am

  Location: Cardona Valley Shooting Club

  • Full day using a range of different firearms
  • Firearms safety
  • Sighting in
  • Shooting positions and techniques
  • Firearms maintenance and cleaning

  

  
  

  Weekend 3

  Friday

  Meet at pre-arranged accommodation (within 2 hours from Queenstown) at 7:00pm. Bring all required gear—we’ll send out a gear list ahead of time.

  Saturday

  Full day hunt plus bushcraft and navigation skills.

  Sunday

  River safety and river crossing exercises — be prepared to get wet!

  Travel home in the afternoon.

  
  

  Graduation

  Successful participants will be invited to attend a Southern Lakes NZDA club meeting to receive their certificate of completion.

  Show details
• October Club Night - DOC Wakatipu Operations and Good Hunting Areas with David Butt

  • When
    29 Oct 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
  • Location
    Arrowtown Bowling Club

  October Club Night - DOC Wakatipu Operations and Good Hunting Areas with Davit Butt

  Join us on Thursday 29 October at the Arrowtown Bowling Club for another great NZDASL club night.

  This month we're pleased to welcome Davit Butt, Operations Manager for DOC Wakatipu area, who will be speaking about operations across the local area. We will also hear input from key club members as part of a practical discussion around good hunting areas.

  This promises to be an informative and worthwhile evening, combining local knowledge, practical insight, and discussion relevant to hunters in our region. It will be a great opportunity to hear about the Wakatipu area from a DOC perspective while also learning from club members with firsthand experience in the field.

  Whether you're interested in local hunting opportunities, land access, regional operations, or picking up useful knowledge from experienced members, this will be a valuable night to be part of.

  Can't make it in person? Join us via Microsoft Teams:
  https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/45052446816124?p=b7nPnd0pahWjaQNW9G
  

  When
  Last Thursday of the month
  Bar opens at 7:00pm for social catch-up
  Meeting starts at 7.30pm

  Where
  Arrowtown Bowling Club
  6 Hertford St, Arrowtown
  (next to the Arrowtown Fire Station)

  All members and interested guests are welcome. Come along for a relaxed social catch-up, hear from a great guest speaker, and be part of another enjoyable club night.

  New member?
  Join us for social drinks before the meeting and meet the members. New faces are always welcome.

  
  

  Show details
• November Club Night - Great Times & Tall Stories

  • When
    26 Nov 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
  • Location
    Arrowtown Bowling Club

  November Club Night – Great Times & Tall Stories

  Join us on Thursday 26 November at the Arrowtown Bowling Club for another great NZDA Southern Lakes club night.

  This month we’re keeping things a bit more relaxed, with three of our club members sharing some of their favourite hunting stories, experiences and photos from the field.

  Expect plenty of good stories, questionable decisions, memorable hunts and hopefully a few impressive animals along the way. It’s a chance to hear from members about their experiences, learn a few things, and have a good laugh with the club.

  Whether you’ve been hunting for years or are just getting started, come along for a social evening and hear what some of our members have been up to in the hills.

  Can't make it in person? Join us via Microsoft Teams:
  https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/45052446816124?p=b7nPnd0pahWjaQNW9G
  

  When
  Last Thursday of the month
  Bar opens at 7:00pm for social catch-up
  Meeting starts at 7.30pm

  Where
  Arrowtown Bowling Club
  6 Hertford St, Arrowtown
  (next to the Arrowtown Fire Station)

  All members and interested guests are welcome. Come along for a relaxed social catch-up, hear from a great guest speaker, and be part of another enjoyable club night.

  New member?
  Join us for social drinks before the meeting and meet the members. New faces are always welcome.

  
  

  Show details
• December Club Event - NZDA Picnic at the NZDA Range

  • When
    12 Dec 2026

  December Club Event - NZDA Picnic at the NZDA Range

  Join us on Saturday TBC December for our NZDA Picnic at the NZDASL Range as we round out the year together.

  For December, we'll be taking a slightly different approach with a relaxed club picnic at the NZDA range. This will be a great chance to catch up, enjoy the summer atmosphere, and celebrate the year with fellow members, friends, and guests.

  It promises to be an easygoing and enjoyable event, focused on good company, conversation, and finishing the year on a positive note.

  Further details about timing, what to bring, and any picnic arrangements can be confirmed closer to the event.

  When
  Time details to be confirmed

  Where
  NZDASL Range

  All members and interested guests are welcome.

  
  

  Show details
• Family-Friendly 4x4 Adventure & Hunting Trip

  • Start
    22 Jan 2027
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • End
    24 Jan 2027
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Oteake Conservation Area
  • Spaces left
    19

  Register

  SLNZDA Family Weekend at Oteake Conservation Area

  January 22-24, 2027

  Join us for a family-oriented weekend in the beautiful Oteake Conservation Area. This trip is all about spending quality time outdoors with your loved ones and fellow SLNZDA members and their families/friends
  
  There may be space if you do not own or have access to a 4WD vehicle, we are asking when people register if they have space,  so register  your interest (Don't pay till we can confirm there is space) and we will try and connect you up with someone happy to take extra people.
  
  We require that one person in the vehicle (Ideally the driver) is a NZDA member (for Insurance purposes) the others can be non members.
  
  (Did you know your NZDA insurance covers you should you accidentally set light to the campsite etc )

  
  

  What we've got planned: TBC

  • Family-friendly activities and nature exploration

  • Camping under the stars at Homestead campsite (Friday)

  • 4x4 driving through scenic Oteake terrain to Tailings hut

  • A Night at Tailings hut, camping (Saturday)

  • 4x4 out to Nasbey via Historic Buster diggings

  • Hunting opportunities
    
    See DOC website for more information

  Whether you're keen to introduce your kids to the joys of the outdoors, want to meet other outdoor-loving families, or simply fancy a relaxed weekend away, this trip has something for everyone.

  We'll keep things low-key and flexible, with plenty of time for kids to play, adults to chat, and everyone to enjoy the stunning surroundings. For those interested, there will be some hunting options*, but that's not the main focus of our weekend.
  
  * please ensure you have the right hunting permit before going

  
  

  Important Vehicle Requirements:

  • Must be a true 4x4 with a low-range gearbox

  • Mud or All-Terrain tires are required (no low-profile tires) You must have a full-size spare tire

  • Fire extinguisher, First aid kit,  Shovel or spade must be carried, All vehicles must have a toolkit and basic spares.

  • Not suitable for 4WD cars, station wagons (e.g., Subaru Legacy), or 4WD vans 
    
    

  • 
    

  What to Bring:

  • You will need to be self sufficient. 

  • All your camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc.)

  • Food and water for the weekend (plus something to share for Saturday's BBQ)

  • Appropriate clothing is required for variable weather conditions in the alpine.

  • There are fireplaces in both camps we aim to stay at, so chuck some wood in each. Hopefully, it will be warm enough that we won't want it lit and can leave it for the next people that need it.

  Cost - TBC

  Where & When - TBC

  Friday 22nd January meet at Homestead Campsite 
  Sunday 24th Return to Naseby by 3pm.
  
  The Homestead Campsite is 2  1/4 hours from Frankton.

  It is a  DOC Basic Campsite. Link here 

  
  Tallings Hut is a standard 12 bunk hut.
  We will plan to camp here, there may be bunk spaces if available.
  Link here

  We can accommodate ~25 people in 10 vehicles.

  When you register you are registering the whole group/family so you only need to do it once but please include who you are bringing in the form
  
  To join us or learn more, reach out to Dave Veitch.

  We'll cover all the necessary safety information before we head out, so everyone can relax and enjoy the weekend.

  Looking forward to sharing some fresh air, good food, and great company with you all in Oteake.

  REGISTER HERE

  Show details