North Taranaki Deerstalkers donate 100kg of wild venison to local families in need

The North Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association have teamed up with Waitōtara landowners to provide a massive protein boost to families feeling the pinch at the supermarket.

More than 100kg of locally harvested venison has been distributed to Taranaki families following an initiative which saw 20 wild deer harvested specifically to feed the community.

Hunters shot the animals at Rimunui Station, a Waitōtara property owned by Scott and Julyanne Thompson. While the station usually hosts paid hunting trips, the couple opened their gates for the charity effort.

After being chilled on site, the carcasses were transported north to New Plymouth. Local NZDA members volunteered to break down the animals, before a local butcher processed the meat into 230 half-kilogram packs of premium venison mince.

Organisers then handed the packages over to the Body and Soul Taranaki Charitable Trust, a group distributing food to households across the region.

Trust representative Suzanne Smithers said the donation arrived at a crucial time for locals.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the donation,” Smithers said. “Having access to good-quality meat like venison makes a real difference to the families we support, particularly at a time when many households are struggling with the cost of food.”

For the hunting community, the project offers a chance to put their skills to use while solving a major headache for rural landowners.

Wild deer are a known pest for farmers, causing financial and environmental damage by destroying pasture, crops, fences, and native vegetation.

Pest control operations often leave valuable meat to waste in the bush simply to keep numbers manageable.

NZDA members want to change that approach. By connecting landowners who need pest control with experienced hunters, the group hopes to create an ongoing supply of high-quality food for those who need it most.

If you're a farmer or landowner within or beyond Taranaki with wild deer on your property and would be interested in working with NZDA North Taranaki to harvest meat for a good cause, reach out using the details below 👇