How Hunting Supports Local Families and Provides Important Pest Control
This year marked the 32nd Pukemanu Big Four hunting challenge, held at the Pukemanu Tavern on a cold, slightly damp Sunday afternoon in August. Many pigs were weighed in, along with deer and goat to compete in the open team event. There were some mean, gingery hogs with long tusks that would make any bush walker jump. Hares, rabbits, and even turkeys which would please the farming community.
The weighin had a great atmosphere, with families turning out and competitors of all ages taking part. Kids enjoyed a drink and chocolate bar courtesy of the Puke. The event relies on a long list of generous sponsors – too many to name – but many have supported this cherished competition since the beginning.
Hunting remains a core part of life for many Kiwis, not just as a tradition passed down through generations but as a practical backbone for rural families. Wild game provides reliable, high quality protein that doesn’t depend on supermarket prices. In a time of rising living costs, venison, pork, goat and game birds often make the difference between stretching a budget and feeding a household well. For many, hunting isn’t a hobby; it’s a meaningful way to support whānau, stay connected to the land and put real food on the table.
For many, hunting isn’t a hobby; it’s a meaningful way to support whānau, stay connected to the land and put real food on the table.
Recreational hunters, through an MPI approved game donation programme, can donate their catch to registered butchers, who volunteer their time to process the meat safely. The finished product goes straight to food banks and community organisations, providing highquality protein to families who need it most.
And then there is their role in pest control, Cr Quentin Duthie, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Environment & Climate Committee, shared with the Star that everyday Kiwis are helping keep pest numbers in check, from trapping rats in Porirua to shooting deer on Ponatahi farms. Greater Wellington culled 11,500 animals in the past year – 50% more than the previous year. Quentin says recreational hunting complements this work, reducing pressure on native forests and wildlife. On a recent walk to Aorangi Maunga he spooked half a dozen red deer, “far too many for the ecosystem,” and he’s keen to improve hunting access through Hiwinui Forest. He encourages responsible hunting and reminds people that wild animals aren’t at fault for being pests – they’re simply in the wrong place and should be treated humanely.
Results
Junior Heaviest Boar 124lbs Mason And Harmon kids
Junior Heaviest Red Stag Jake Allanson
Junior Heaviest Fallow Stag George McKinsey and Jake Allanson
Junior Heaviest Combo of 3 animals (Rabbit, Possum, Hare) Mason Taylor
Junior Goat Head Tate Warren also he won the Heaviest Turkey
Senior Heaviest Boar 157lbs Jared Butler
Senior Big 4 Team Challenge Ave weight combo Noah’s Ark
Senior Heaviest Big 4 Team Challenge Back Steak Boys
