Currently there are 13 life members by nominated and approved by tradition through the National Council or Executive Committee from the years of DFA operations.
Life Members:
| Life member | History | Region |
| Bob & Frances Swann | Founding member, DFA Council | SCNO |
| Murray Powell | Waikato Chairman, DFA Councillor - 1980 | Waikato |
| Fiona Lady Elworthy (Widowed) | Sir Peter Elworthy, Founding president DFA - 1981 | SCNO |
| Sir Tim & Prue Lady Wallis | Founding member DFA -1982 | Otago |
| Jenny Pinney | Bernard Pinney Founding member and NZDFA President - 1983 | Canterbury |
| John & Jan Burrowes | DFA President - 1983 | Kaipara |
| Tom & Gay Williams | Founding DFA member and GIB Chairman - 1990 | Wairarapa |
| Mike & Susie Pattison | DFA CEO and first GIB CEO - 1992 | Central Regions |
| Don & Jean Gregson | DFA Council and Hon Treasurer - 1999 | Northland |
| Helen Parkes (Widowed) | Norm Parkes, Founding member, DFA Council - 2004 | Nelson |
| Clive and Elsie Jermy | DFA President, GIB/DINZ Chairman - 2005 | Canterbury |
| Jeff and Trish Pearse | DFA Council, GIB/Deer Industry New Zealand Board - 2007 | SCNO |
| Tony and Julie Pearse | AgResearch, NZDFA Otago Branch, DINZ Executive - 2010 | Otago |
| Patrick and Barbara Boyd | SAP Chair, farmer/industry representative for NVSB, TB Free, P2P | SCNO |
