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)

The second field trip will visit the Invermay Research Centre. Invermay established a deer research programme over 50 years ago, to assist an emerging deer farming industry. We will see new developments in greenhouse gas measurement and genetic technologies, visit the research farm and deer herd, and tour a venison processing plant.

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