Its neither ignorance or arrogance. Nor is it retarded. It is an organisation that depends heavily on branch members generously doing voluntary work in their own time. To the NZDA's credit they are modernising and centralising their systems. A visit to their National office would quickly convince you that they are not behind the times at all.
You persevering and making an effort to join your local branch would be a positive contribution to hunting in NZ.