A big thank you to all who have taken the time to join, or indeed rejoin, the NZGCA. The big draw for 2 free shoot day pegs or walk-ups, if you prefer, will be conducted at the end of the month. You still have time to enter, but time is running out. 

It is exciting to announce the club memberships that have come in from the Waikato Gun Dogs, the Pointer and Setters Club, the Working Spaniels Club, and most recently the Manukau Sporting Rifle Club. You are all most welcome. Don’t forget we are happy to publish any news items or advertise special events you may have on your horizon.

 

Send details to our secretary Brittany at info@nzgca.com or to robbiedanks@hotmail.com 
 

The Fish & Game Bill remains eagerly anticipated. 
Although it has not yet been released, its arrival is on the horizon. It’s likely the Government has simply been focused on other high‑priority matters, and we look forward to seeing this Bill progress once attention returns to it.

 

Oral submissions on the Arms Bill have now closed, and the select committee is currently reviewing the evidence presented. Their report is expected within the next month or two. It will be encouraging to see how the committee has engaged with the feedback received. The Government has indicated it remains committed to advancing this refined legislation within the current parliamentary term.  

Unfortunately, every now and then, we hear of firearms accidents while people are either duck shooting or very occasionally while hunting pheasants.  Make sure you don’t become one of these accidents. I really don’t want to read about you in this situation.
 

 

Have a great time but BE SAFE OUT THERE! 

A couple of weeks ago Andy, Richard and Lou invited the Beaters and Pickers teams to an inspection of the new shoot layout at Te Konini. This was followed by a BBQ. The day was perfect weather wise. After the usual catch-ups and cheek about the appearance of more wrinkles than last year, it was off to inspect the new drives. 

I think it fair to say the Beaters were happy with the prospect of spending much of each shoot days in slippers. The Pickers were at little less impressed with the terrain and gorse patches for their babies to work in. All agreed the drives were going to be special. Some suggested a defibrillator may be a good idea to have handy for some of the guns. In places the gun line looked a long way down.

At the end of the tour, while sitting with a beer in one hand and a burger in the other, it was unanimous that Te Konini was a spectacular property and that the guns would love it
… no problem.

 

Mind you Beaters and Pickers think all birds are easy! 

NORTHMERE: Reece Ronald is the new gamekeeper at Whangarei. He reports that his birds have coloured up well, and the cock birds have all grown nice long tails. He says they are finishing up the last of the necessary infrastructure projects on the property and expect to be all ready to go for their first team of guns. He also mentions they are meeting more and more people who are keen to hear about what they are doing.

 

 

LIGHTHOUSE: Jamie’s birds are getting moved into the drives now. The team are busy painting, spraying, and generally tarting up the place. Gun pegs will be going out next week. Even the duck ponds are filling nicely. 
Everything is starting to look the picture. Great season ahead.

 

 

GLEN MASSEY: Helen writes; We have had an exceptional summer, with good rain which has kept the grass growing right through to mid-February. The water courses have kept a healthy flow and our natural cover in the drives has remained good. 

 

The birds have settled in well and have grown fast. They are now very mobile and are feeding at most of the flush points. We have a good number of white, melanistic, and ‘other’ coloured birds which makes for fun spotting as they move around. A few guinea fowl are still in residence, so the guns will have to be on their toes if they wish to avoid the notorious Glen Massey fines.

 

The catering team are already working on imaginative but delectable refreshments and meals for the “after match”. Helen and Dickie are looking forward to welcoming and entertaining everyone this coming season.

 

 

TOTARA LODGE: Will and Kane are busy putting the final touches on everything to make sure all is in readiness. The birds are all happy and are behaving surprisingly well. Everyone is excited and looking forward to another outstanding season at Totara Lodge.

 

 

PORONUI: Ben reports that all is good as they are taking the last of the birds into the drives. It’s only a few weeks to go before their first shoot day. Pegs are freshly painted and ready to be put in place. 

 

The Pointers and Setters had a great day at Poronui on Saturday. But, unfortunately, Sunday’s activities had to be cancelled because of Cyclone Vaianu. They will have to come back again another day to finish off their events. Ben says that apart from the weather the only complaint was there were too many pheasants! 

 

 

TE KONINI: Andy says the pheasants are keeping the dogs fit. The crops are grateful for the recent rain. The birds are looking tall as they’re flying home from the drives.

 

 

LAGOON HILL: Malcolm is pushing hard to get everything ready for their first day. Finishing touches is what it is all about now. He is sure his guns will drive home satisfied with their day. Bring it on!

 

 

CRAIGMORE: Oli writes, the birds are looking well and we are looking forward to the season starting. Autumn has certainly arrived here at Craigmore. 

 

TAHARUA 

Poronui was surveyed in 1877 and was most likely part of the 75,000 acres that was the Lochinvar block. Poronui itself was thought to be at the time, approximately 16,000 acres. This acreage seemed to increase and then decrease over the years depending on who owned it. I found an estimate of 38,000 acres at one point.

 

It is difficult to track down ownership or development of the property until it was taken over by a Mr. N.H. Pike in 1938.  Certainly, the property had been occupied well before this date, as the still standing Red Hut was built around 1926. It was used as accommodation for hunters, fishermen and particularly Rabbiters.

 

In 1945 Mr. McFarlane purchased the property and continued developing it as a sheep and cattle station.

 

For a time in 1967, the Tuhoe Maori Trust took control until the station was passed over to the Lands and Survey Department. They shortly thereafter transferred ownership to ANZAMCO LTD (Australian, New Zealand, and American Company). This was a company owned by Mormons who renamed the property El Rancho Poronui. Their claim to fame was the introduction and development of the first Quarter Horses in NZ. 

 

In 1979, Jo Howard became the new owner of Poronui. He recognized the potential for a premiere Hunting and Fishing destination and set about developing the property accordingly. It was sometime in the 1980’s that Simon Dickie secured the lease on part of the station to begin the development of Poronui Lodge. It began life as a modest construction with just 3 rooms, but grew over time as the fishing, in particular, became famous.

 

Another change in ownership in the early 1980’s saw the arrival of Caxton Pulp and Paper Company. They transitioned the property into a forestry operation, with roughly 6,000 acres planted in Eucalyptus Nitens and Radiata Pine., before selling out to Carter Holt.

 

During this time Simon Dickie was running and expanding his guiding business. It was one of Simon’s clients, American banker Mark Blake, who fell in love with property and in 1998 he made an offer to purchase, and it changed hands again. Mark went to work and extended the buildings, added an extensive wine cellar, constructed stables, and developed the luxurious homestead, Blake House.

 

Finally in 2006 Poronui changed hands again. This time to the current owners the U.S based Westervelt Company.

 

The Westervelt Company has continued to develop the Station in several areas, beef, trophy deer hunting, fishing, and latterly PHEASANTS! 

Poronui acknowledges that Simon Dickie was the first to set up a pheasant shoot on Poronui, and one of the first to be releasing significant numbers of pheasants in NZ.

 

Jeff Niblett and Bridgette Karetai first entered into conversation with the management team at Poronui about 10 years ago. These conversations continued for several years until the stars aligned. Jeff and Bridgette could see the potential to develop a pheasant shoot of real quality in such an incredible scenic landscape that it took the breath away. The Poronui management recognized the perfect opportunity to keep summer staff employed over winter. A definite win/win situation, and so it has proved to be.

 

The first birds were released in time for the 2022 season. The timing, yet again, was perfect because at the same time the Equine preserve was closing down. Lewis Rudd, gamekeeper, and most of the beaters and pickers from Titoki were all keen to be part of the excitement of a new dream. Bridgette will tell you how blessed they were to inherit such an experienced team who have gone on to become an integral part of what makes a day at Poronui so satisfying. 

 

Many long hours were spent building the infrastructure necessary to turn the dream into reality. New tracks to cut, fences to erect, water systems to be installed, pest control systems initiated; the list goes on and on. Housing solutions were also needed for all involved. A truly massive and expensive undertaking. 

 

The key to success, however, are the people who worked so hard to create one of the very best shooting experiences imaginable. The keepers, in particular, need to be acknowledged. Lewis Rudd, Chris Quinn, Richard Miney, Ben Harris, Ross Fitzgerald-Lyons, and the latest addition Charlie Deans.

 

Mention must be made of the new drives too, with names that will be remembered for years to come. Ash Ave, The Spa, The Quarry, Safari Park, Keepers and my favourite Green Hills. A test for everyone who wants to pit their skills with a shotgun.

 

The lodging and hospitality experience at Poronui is nothing short of spectacular. Bridgette and Jeff can’t speak highly enough of the exceptional work that happens behind the scenes, led by Claire, Lisa, and their dedicated teams. It’s their attention to detail, care, and genuine warmth that elevates every stay and makes the Poronui experience truly unforgettable. 

 

Poronui has been a special place for decades, shaped by remarkable landscapes and even more remarkable people—and it’s destined to remain so for generations to come. It’s no surprise that you need to book ahead to secure a peg here, but those who do are richly rewarded. Poronui is, quite simply, worth the wait.

 

To glimpse the essence of Poronui, check out this video on YouTube World Class Driven Pheasant at Poronui - YouTube . 

 

And if you're after a driven shoot day, without a lodge stay, contact Jeff – he is working on some new offers for later in the season.  

 

Shoot bookings contact: jeff@nzgamebirds.co.nz 

BEN HARRIS 

Ben was born in Worcestershire, England. 

 

Worcestershire is of course famous for Royal Worcestershire porcelain which received a Royal Warrant in 1789. It is also internationally known for its spicy sauce which was first produced in1837.

 

I wonder if Ben will be remembered 200 years from now?

 

He grew up and was educated in Great Whitley Village. Another interesting English village with a grandiose name, considering it has a population of 743. It does, however, have a flash fountain with 120 waterjets.

 

All joking aside, it is a very pretty village in the West Midlands, and it is fabulous pheasant country.

 

Ben’s father was Gamekeeper at Williamstrip Park and then took over as a Beat master at Bibury in the beautiful Cotswolds.

 

At age 16 Ben went to Hartpury College and studied Countryside Management and Conservation (Gamekeeping). After graduation, he found work at Agridome Game Farm. He spent 2 years here helping to rear 150,000 gamebirds each season. His next move was to take up a position as underkeeper at Stowell Park which is owned by the Vesty family (a very famous family… look them up).  He also gained invaluable experience preparing for and working on the fantastic Stowell Park shoots.

 

2 years here and the seemingly contagious gamekeeper disease of ‘itchy feet’ had Ben afflicted. A desire to see the world lead him on a 3month tour of Asia. But even while enjoying the experiences of Eastern culture, he always kept an eye on keepering vacancies around the globe. Before long a job advertised by NZ Gamebirds had Ben quickly scratching out a C.V. Shortly thereafter he found himself with a signed contract and crushed fingers after a handshake from Jeff.

 

Poronui was his destination as underkeeper under the watchful eye of Richard Miney and Chris Quinn. Opportunity knocked yet again when Richard moved on to the challenge at Te Konini, and Chris headed back to his beloved Ngamatea Station. Ben has stepped up to the leadership role with the weighty responsibility of controlling the two enthusiastic underkeepers, Ross and Charlie.

 

A testing role but one that Ben has grasped with two hands. A role he freely admits he would find more challenging if it were not for the support and encouragement of his partner, Megan.

 

Poronui is a big job on a big property with an even bigger reputation, but we know Ben will handle the responsibility with aplomb. 

 

Ross is a 23year old Irishman from Naul in County Dublin which is in the Republic of Ireland

 

Naul is one of those villages where just about everyone knows your name – population 684.

 

It may be small, but it has history, with archaeological finds going back to prehistoric times. That’s 4000 years ago. Two imposing castle ruins dominate each side of the valley where Naul is situated. The imaginatively named Black Castle on one side looking across at the ruins of (you guessed it) the White Castle.

 

Ross was schooled in another small village in the area called Drogheda (I challenge you all with the pronunciation of this one).

 

His last year of formal education was at a college studying music. Guitar in the modern commercial genre. You can check for yourself if he is familiar with the NZ Modern Classic “Ten Guitars”.

 

With a family background in Hunting and shooting as well as an uncle and grandfather who were involved in a syndicated pheasant and woodcock shoot, it’s not hard to see a genetic link to our sport. Ross was determined to find employment in some sort of shooting environment.

 

He succeeded in finding work at a local shooting range. This range offers rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines. In fact, the property boasted the largest Clay Target grounds in Ireland. It had 700 members and operated 5 days a week. His work involved everything from hosting small stag-dos to large commercial shoots. This Gun Club even offered walk-up shoots. Ross found himself in charge of rearing up to 400 poults, each year, for release on the club shooting fields.

 

After 3 years the “itchy feet” syndrome reared its ugly head again.

 

While sitting in a pub scanning through Facebook, he stumbled across an advertisement for a gamekeeping position that had been posted by none other than Chris Quinn. Before you know it, Ross was standing over-dressed, at Napier airport chatting with Chris himself. Amazingly, they could understand each other perfectly.

 

After a nervous meeting with Jeff and Bridgette it was off to Poronui for this young Irish lad. Soon he was established under the scrutiny of Richard, Chris, and Ben.

 

Ross has settled into life at Poronui well and it won’t be long before his girlfriend Colleen waiting patiently back in Ireland, will be out here to look after him. Most of us, who know Ross, can’t wait to meet Colleen; she must be someone special.

 

I’ve just been told Colleen did sneak out to Poronui last season for a reccy and she is someone special. She is studying Biopharmaceuticals at university. She is an amazing photographer, a petrol head, and a rugby player. Can’t get more special than that.

 

Ross says he owes a great debt of gratitude to Chris, in particular. He believes that without the support and encouragement of Chris, life would have been much more challenging. Probably an accent thing, I reckon. 

 

The latest member of the trifecta at Poronui is Charlie (Weasel) Dean. He is here purely because of his friendship with Ben.

 

Charlie was born in Brighton, England. Brighton is of course famous for the Brighton Palace Pier and the exotic Royal Pavilion. My owfavourite image of Brighton is that of a stout gentleman standing in the shallows with rolled-up trousers, with a knotted handkerchief on his head, staring wistfully out to sea.

 

Charlie’s Dad was a gamekeeper and because of this, and “itchy feet” syndrome, the family was on the move from shoot to shoot. 2 years in Lincolnshire, 6 years in Berkshire, and time at the incredible Lees Court Estate in Kent. This estate has been in ownership of the Sondes family for over 800 years. Imagine that.

 

While only 15 years old, and under apprenticeship of his father, Charlie began rearing up to 2,000 pheasants each year. He sold these birds as poults.

 

Charlie left his family at Lees Court Estate and moved to Williamstrip Park. He took up the role of Beat keeper and worked here under the oversight of Ben’s father, Dave Harris. It was here that one of Charlie key responsibilities was pest control. As such he caught more Weasels than anyone else and so earned his nickname, which has stuck with him.

 

It was here at Williamstrip Park where Weasel met Ben. They formed a firm friendship. 

 

After Ben had come to NZ and become settled, Weasel decided that the right thing to do was to visit his mate. He duly arrived in April of last year. Weasel took one look at Poronui and fell in love with the place. With the upcoming departure of both Richard and Chris, he saw an opportunity and approached Ben about the possibility of getting a job. 

 

With Ben, Ross, and now Weasel putting in the hard yards, it is easy to see that Poronui is going to have another successful season. Even more successful now that Weasel can find his way home at the end of the day.

 

Weasel’s girlfriend Maddie is studying Agronomy at university in Cirencester back in England. Hopefully when she qualifies, she too will join the team at Poronui. Hopefully she brings cooking skills with her, because the menu is not exactly Michelin Star rated in the boy's kitchen. 

Don’t forget if you want to list anything here send the details to either: 
Brittany at info@nzgca.com or Robbie at robbiedanks@hotmail.com