Make the most of your time in New Zealand by joining the NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) on a pre-congress adventure.

On this adventure you will:

Tour a premier New Zealand game estate.

Tour a free-range red deer hunting property.

Hear from local hunting estate managers and New Zealand professional hunting guides.

Learn from experts conducting wild deer research and management across New Zealand.

Spend some extra time discovering spectacular Queenstown, before being transported to the world of wild deer and hunter management in New Zealand. Who knows, you might just see ‘your deer here’!

Keep an eye out for more information on this event at nzgac.org.nz

 

Day One Field trip (Tuesday)

Puketapu Deer Farm and Orokonui Ecosanctuary Field Day

Date: 10th February 2026

Time: 13:00pm – 19:35pm

Location: Puketapu Farm, Palmerston and Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Waitati.

 

Puketapu Deer Farm

Puketapu Deer Farm is a commercially operated farming enterprise specializing in deer products, including velvet, trophy stags and venison. Owned and managed by the Oliver family, the farm spans rolling hill land between Palmerston township, about 55km north of Dunedin City, and the Otago coastline. It is home to a stag herd dedicated mainly to velvet production, with a smaller hind herd for breeding replacements. The farm includes some attractive native bush with vegetation typical of remnant Otago coastal forest.

The field trip will include two key stops. The first will be at newly constructed deer handling yards, where Adam Whaanga and Tony Pearse, both experts in deer husbandry, will provide insights into New Zealand’s deer farming industry and management practices. The second stop will be at a scenic vantage point at a higher part of the farm, where Greg Oliver, the principal farm owner will discuss his farming operation. Throughout the visit, there will be opportunities to observe commercial deer in their paddocks, including trophy stags with hard antlers and breeding hinds with calves at foot.

Orokonui - a local wildlife ecosanctuary

Established in 2007, Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a 307-hectare haven dedicated to protecting and restoring New Zealand’s unique native flora and fauna. As a completely mammalian predator-free environment, protected by a mammal proof fence, it provides a vital refuge for many endangered species that are threatened by introduced pests since human settlement.

The guided field trip will take place along high quality scenic walking tracks through diverse ecosystems, including ancient podocarp forests, regenerating native bush, and natural grasslands. Along the way, you'll have the chance to observe rare and endangered bird and reptile species in their natural habitat while learning about the ecosanctuary’s crucial conservation efforts. This is a unique opportunity to experience New Zealand’s rich biodiversity up close and gain insight into the vital work being done to protect and restore it.

A delicious BBQ dinner and drinks will be provided, featuring premium New Zealand farm-raised venison. When not exploring the ecosanctuary on a guided walking tour, you can enjoy a relaxed social gathering, an opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow attendees, and take in the award-winning stunning surroundings of Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

We will have the opportunity to see rare and endangered species such as the Takahe up close, and the world’s only living dinosaur, the Tuatara. The visit will highlight the challenges of conserving indigenous species in New Zealand.

 

Day Two Field trip (Wednesday)

Invermay Research Centre and Duncan Venison Field Day

Date: 11th February 2026

Time: 14:00pm – 18:20pm

Location: Invermay Research Centre, Mosgiel.

Invermay Research Centre

Invermay Agricultural Centre, founded in 1949, is situated near Mosgiel, about 10km from Dunedin City, on the Taieri Plains in Otago, New Zealand, Invermay has been an international leader in deer research for over 50 years. The Deer Programme was established in 1973, by Dr Ken Drew. It has played a key role in advancing New Zealand’s deer farming industry. Early research focused on understanding the biology, physiology, behaviour, health and management practices essential for successful deer farming for both venison and velvet

In recent years, the research has evolved to address modern challenges, with a focus on genetics, emerging animal health issues, the environmental impacts of deer farming, and the development of wearable technology for monitoring deer.

Buses for the Field trip will leave Dunedin for the short drive to Invermay, The field trip will include a brief formal introduction to the Invermay Research Centre. Attendees will then visit 4 stations around the research campus both walking and by bus.

Stop 1 - Innervision and AgPAC

Attendees will view 2 examples of cutting-edge technology that have been developed at Invermay to evaluate deer characteristics and methane production.

INNERVISION is a joint venture between AgResearch and Focus Genetics that offers commercial CT scanning services for breeding stock evaluation, research programmes and veterinary diagnostic purposes.

AgPAC Portable Accumulation Chambers use cutting-edge technology for measuring livestock methane emissions on pasture. Designed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, AgPAC offers a rapid and affordable method of methane measurement for assessing emissions and identifying low emitting individual animals.

Stop 2 - GenomNZ and Genetics Research

GenomNZ is New Zealand’s leading commercial animal DNA genotyping laboratory, offering comprehensive services, including parentage assignment, breed composition analysis, and inbreeding assessment. It specialises in deer, sheep, goats, cattle, and aquaculture. GenomNZ provides accurate and relevant genetic solutions to support livestock improvement by identifying and ranking elite animals,

The guided tour will proceed through both the commercial and research laboratories, with stops to discuss the technologies used. The latest advances in deer genetics research, and their practical applications, will be a strong feature.

Stop 3 - Research Farm Tour

Spanning 593 hectares of rolling hill country, the Invermay Research Farm supports a range of research programmes focused on deer, sheep, environmental sustainability, and biocontrol. The farm is home to 1,000 deer across various age and sex classes, all integral to ongoing research initiatives. The core of the herd consists of 400 mixed-age breeding hinds, which are part of an annual artificial insemination (AI) programme. The remainder includes progeny retained for research, replacement hinds, and 100 stags used for velvetting and breeding studies.

The tour will include a guided drive through the deer research farm, featuring a running commentary on current research projects and insights into the farm’s role in advancing New Zealand’s deer industry.

Stop 4 - Duncan Venison

Duncan Venison was established in 1990 by owners Andy and Vinnie Duncan. The Deer Processing Plant at Invermay was established as part of the Venison Research Programme in the early 1980s and was subsequently acquired by Otago Venison and then Duncan Venison for commercial deer processing.  The Duncans have over 30 years of experience supplying venison from free-range deer farms throughout New Zealand. Since Andy first became involved with New Zealand's fledgling Deer Industry in the late 1970's, they have passionately believed that NZ Venison is the best protein option available.

This guided tour will take place in the Mosgiel Processing Plant and provide attendees with an insight into the processing of farmed venison at scale.

Delegates will be able to book field trips once they are finalised before the end of April 2025.

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