A conservation and hunting organisation has reached a significant milestone in its programme supplying free-range venison to communities in need, donating over 10,000 kilograms of mince to food banks across the North Island.
The Central North Island Sika Foundation confirmed the achievement, highlighting how game animals can support families facing hardship. The venison is sourced from managed culls of over-abundant Sika deer herds in the region, with recreational hunters providing the majority of the animals.
Since the initiative began in 2020, the foundation has worked to provide a steady supply of high-quality protein to food charities, particularly in Tūrangi and Taupō. “Our goal has been to provide up to 100kg of high-quality organic protein each per week, as that would keep the local Foodbank’s freezers full and cut their weekly food budget in half,” said Cam Speedy, a wildlife ecologist and spokesperson for the Sika Foundation.
The foundation manages the donation logistics in consultation with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to ensure all meat distributed meets required safety standards.
Mr Speedy expressed gratitude towards the hunters contributing to the programme and acknowledged the vital support from sponsors, including Blood Origins, Genesis Energy, Helisika, Caspak NZ, Ashurst Engineering & Construction, Poronui, Cambridge Home Kill Ltd, and Farm & Game Meat Processors Ltd Taupō.
Founded in March 2015, the Sika Foundation is dedicated to the research, data collection, and management of Sika deer herds in the Central North Island. A core part of its mission involves educating hunters and the wider public about the deer species and the conservation of their habitat.
Beyond the food bank initiative, the organisation actively engages in conservation and community projects. Volunteers assist with predator control programmes aimed at protecting vulnerable whio (blue duck) populations along the Kaipo and Oamaru Rivers, and also contribute to hut and track maintenance within the Kaimanawa Forest Park.
In a related development, the foundation submitted a proposal in February seeking “Herd of Special Interest” (HOSI) status for Sika deer within the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks. Hunting & Fishing Minister James Meager announced on April 4th that the proposal would advance to the next statutory phase, which involves public consultation.
“We are grateful to the Department of Conservation and the Game Animal Council for supporting us through the proposal development process, and we now look forward to engaging with Mana Whenua that are directly connected to this kaupapa,” Mr Speedy stated. He added that the next step involves navigating the public consultation process for a Sika Herd Management Plan.
The Sika Foundation anticipates that achieving HOSI designation will facilitate more effective deer management strategies, improve recreational hunting experiences, and ensure a sustainable source of quality food for communities, while formally recognising the cultural values held by Mana Whenua alongside conservation, community, and recreational interests.
