Oct 11, 2024
Branch Chair's October Meeting
NZDFA branch chairs, new faces come to the capital
Last week saw the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association (NZDFA) branch chairs gather in Wellington for their annual meeting, with some bringing some new faces along with their feedback from their respective regions.
The two-day meeting kicked off with a welcome from DINZ CEO Rhys Griffiths before each of the branch chairs were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and give a temperature check from their region, with most touching on weather, areas of interest, trends on membership, and new (or exiting) deer farmers in their region. Encouragingly, there seemed to be more mention of new entrants than there was of those leaving the industry.
Succession at a governance level was also raised as a concern, which was why it was so good to see some new faces from Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Central, Canterbury/West Coast, and South Canterbury/North Otago, as well as from the Elk and Wapiti Society.
After the introductions, DINZ Environmental Stewardship Manager Luka Jansen led a discussion on recent environmental policy changes or proposed changes, focusing primarily on changes to freshwater farm plans and ongoing discussions around greenhouse gas emissions. This was followed by an OSPRI update from Craig North, who sits on the OSPRI Stakeholders Council.
After lunch, Scott Champion, chair of the North American Retail Accelerator (NARA) project steering committee, gave a presentation and led a discussion on the NARA project, before Griffiths followed that with a detailed explanation and update on the China market access situation for velvet. These were areas of obvious interest and generated plenty of questions from the audience.
Scott Champion presenting on the NARA project. (Photo credit: Cameron Frecklington)
Following that, Danette McKeown presented on the new research structure and purpose of the Research Advisory Panel, which is to feed their recommendations to the Research Committee. This segment generated some spirited yet respectful discussion, with a great deal of interest from the audience and a desire to know more about how it all works (foreshadowing for an upcoming article!). The final session before afternoon tea was a survey on Integrated Farm Planning led by Molly Kennedy.
After a quick coffee refuel and a small bite, Sarah How of Landify gave an engaging presentation on the concept of “rethinking farm ownership in New Zealand,” ahead of an update on NVSB activity by DINZ Board Chair Paddy Boyd and John Sommerville. Capping the day, the final session was led by New Zealand Vet Association (NZVA) Deer Special Interest Branch President (and DINZ board observer) Camille Flack, who gave a passionate plea to the audience, imploring farmers to engage with new vets and encourage them so that they may grow their comfort with deer for the good of the industry. 
(Photo credit: Cameron Frecklington)
“There is great value in networking with other branch chairs and sharing ideas about what each branch is doing, as well as shared concerns about the industry and its direction,” says Southland DFA Chair Tony Roberts.
“Having the DINZ board and CEO discuss openly the direction that they are taking, and their aspirational goals, was informative. We [branch chairs] can now take that information back to our members and share it with them. In addition, listening to the board members gave me a better understanding of their contribution to the DINZ board function. I found that to be very beneficial.”
“A noticeable shift in communication from the CEO and the board was appreciated.”
Maia Richmond, a new face from the Central Region, agrees.
"Being invited to attend the NZDFA branch chairs meeting as a ‘New Face’ was a great experience for me," she says. "I was able to learn and understand exactly what goes on behind the scenes of the NZDFA. I also made some invaluable new connections within the deer industry."
The second day started with a good many informal chats over tea and coffee about the nasty weather developing in Otago and Southland. Once the official proceedings began, Griffiths quickly went over the DINZ strategy refresh, clearly stipulating that it was just that: a refresh - meaning some new wording and organisation but with the same priorities and direction. After that was the Board Q&A session, with the board represented by Chair Paddy Boyd along with Tony Cochrane, Jacqueline Rowarth and Hamish Fraser.
The morning continued with DINZ Deer Select Manager Sharon McIntyre giving a quick update on Deer Select 2, now live, and nProve ahead of a timely session on wild vs farmed deer, the regulations around them and the risks of mixing captured wild deer with farmed. Finally, a presentation on the 50-year history of the NZDFA, given by David Stevens, and a wrap up of the NZDFA, its purpose, and how the DFA communicates, led by the DFA Executive Committee, closed the meeting.
“The annual NZDFA Branch Chairs meeting is the DFA’s second biggest event of the year, behind the annual conference,” says DINZ Producer Manager Lindsay Fung. "It’s a really good chance to bring voices and perspectives from around the country together to listen and get an idea of what is on the minds of our industry’s farmers, represented by their branch chairs.”
“The chairs can now return to their regions with some valuable information on what DINZ is doing, and DINZ is now aware of what farmers are thinking and feeling.”
