Sth Waikato NZDA Branch at risk, opportunity if you are local....

I'm in Taranaki but for some reason just got this in the mail from NZDA National..be great if hunters in the South Waikato got in behind keeping this branch going. NZDA are great promoters of our hunting sport and offer a great deal especially to newbies. Here's what I got...

Dear NZDA South Waikato members, current and former.


You are getting this email because your club needs to re-hold its AGM and elect a new committee as the current officers have resigned following the recent AGM that failed to achieve a quorum.

Please find attached:

Letter from the NZDA Board explaining the situation and calling for nominees
Letter from your former committee resigning and explaining the situation
The next steps are:
- receive nominations and hold a valid AGM

- failing above, dissolving.

The future of your club is in your hands, but we're here to help.

We are happy to facilitate an online meeting of members by Zoom, or come to a local venue to help run the AGM. Please let us know what you want, as members.

In the meantime, all membership questions should go to National Office at membership@deerstalkers.org.nz

Key Contacts:

Craig Benbow, National President, craig.benbow@deerstalkers.org.nz

Callum Sheridan, National Vice President, callum.sheridan@deerstalkers.org.nz

Anybody on here a member of said branch that can give us an insight into how it is going ?

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Originally Posted by Andygr

Anybody on here a member of said branch that can give us an insight into how it is going ?

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Maybe flick a question to Callum Sheridan, address above

I just checked the NZDA Conference book for 2023 - South Waikato have a membership total of 73 of which 40 are senior members. Guessing they are running out of people wishing to step up? Also on any club meeting unlikely to get everyone to attend so sounds like a extremely low turn out for an AGM? Bit of a bugger that.

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Originally Posted by Hunteast

I just checked the NZDA Conference book for 2023 - South Waikato have a membership total of 73 of which 40 are senior members. Guessing they are running out of people wishing to step up? Also on any club meeting unlikely to get everyone to attend so sounds like a extremely low turn out for an AGM? Bit of a bugger that.

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Thanks for that info. I live not too far away but would only be adding to the senior member category. Not sure if it is worth changing my membership from my current branch to the South Waikato one, I'll give it some thought though.

The South Waikato NZDA still exists although it has very few current members. Most former members have joined the new club, the "South Waikato Hunting Club". It was felt that the NZDA annual fees had become too expensive for little in return.

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Originally Posted by Andygr

Thanks for that info. I live not too far away but would only be adding to the senior member category. Not sure if it is worth changing my membership from my current branch to the South Waikato one, I'll give it some thought though.

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You can join the Tokoroa Shooting Sports Complex for a reasonable annual fee and have access to the ranges there. Ph: Jaks Sherwood, 021 245 8213 jaknjim@gmail.com

I've always thought it disappointing that hunters will put $100 worth of gas to look for game but bitch at paying a $100 annual fee to support an organization that fights to ensure game are there to hunt.

If you are wondering, my wife and I were members of Tokoroa/South Waikato NZDA for 50yrs (me, most on committee)

Five years ago felt I'd paid my dues and time to relax and move on.

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Originally Posted by Gamehunter

I've always thought it disappointing that hunters will put $100 worth of gas to look for game but bitch at paying a $100 annual fee to support an organization that fights to ensure game are there to hunt.

If you are wondering, my wife and I were members of Tokoroa/South Waikato NZDA for 50yrs (me, most on committee)

Five years ago felt I'd paid my dues and time to relax and move on.

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I don’t think hamilton branch has a range. Why don’t they merge?

bring back a lifetime membership fee.....at say 5-7 years annual subscription...one of biggest regrets was not buying one when offered 30 years ago.....its been hard to justify the expence in last 30 years as dont trophy hunt and shifted away from Timaru for a while so let it lapse...young kids and crap wages meant it was choice between duckshooting licence and ammo of NZDA yearly fee.....I like shooting ducks.

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Originally Posted by Gamehunter

I've always thought it disappointing that hunters will put $100 worth of gas to look for game but bitch at paying a $100 annual fee to support an organization that fights to ensure game are there to hunt.

If you are wondering, my wife and I were members of Tokoroa/South Waikato NZDA for 50yrs (me, most on committee)

Five years ago felt I'd paid my dues and time to relax and move on.

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It's $180 now Neil. That includes $60 for the shooting complex annual fee.

We are life members so complex fees don't apply.

The pine plantation can't be far off harvest.

Are there any plans for that income?