Currently there are 13 NZ Deer Farmers' Association life members by nominated and approved by tradition through the National Council or Executive Committee from the years of NZDFA operations.
Life Members:
| Life member | History | Region |
| Bob & Frances* Swann | Founding member, DFA Council | SCNO |
| Murray Powell* | Waikato Chairman, DFA Councillor - 1980 | Waikato |
| Lady Fiona Elworthy (Widowed) | Sir Peter Elworthy*, Founding president DFA - 1981 | SCNO |
| Sir Tim & Prue Lady Wallis | Founding member DFA -1982 | Otago |
| Jenny Pinney (Widowed) | 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 |
| Norm & Helen Parkes* | Norm Parkes, Founding member, DFA Council - 2004 | Nelson |
| Clive 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 |
| David & Lynley Stevens | NZDFA President, SAP Chair, Southland Branch Chairman, National Velvet Comp - 2012 | Southland |
| Marie Spiers (Widowed) | John Spiers, NZDFA President, Hawke’s Bay Chairman, DINZ Board - 2012 | Hawks's Bay |
| Patrick and Barbara Boyd | SAP Chair, farmer/industry representative for NVSB, TB Free, P2P - 2022 | SCNO |
*deceased
