On The Up: West Coast hunters’ Game to Give scheme turns wild venison into 800 meals

Hunters on the West Coast are filling the freezers of local foodbanks in an initiative that has provided more than 800 meals in its first two months of operation.

Game to Give brings together hunters, conservation groups, community organisations and local businesses to provide wild venison mince to families in need across the region.

It recently celebrated a major milestone, with 401kg of wild venison mince, donated by local hunters over two months, being distributed to foodbanks across the region.

This is equivalent to around 882 meals that have been distributed back into the West Coast community.

After being donated by hunters, the meat is professionally processed, packaged and labelled before being distributed through community organisations.

Local hunters have donated 401kg of venison mince in just two months.

Christine Barton, lead co-ordinator for Kai Puku West Coast, the region’s first dedicated food rescue service, said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

“The support we’ve received from hunters, community organisations, and local businesses has been incredible,” Barton said.

“This event has allowed us to test and refine the systems needed to collect, process, and distribute wild venison efficiently and safely.

“Now that we’ve proven the model works, we’re looking ahead with plans for sustained distribution throughout the year.”

Barton said Kai Puku hoped more hunters would get involved as the initiative expanded.

“It’s a simple process, and every donation makes a difference to families who need it most,” she said.

“Kai Puku also welcomes support from members of the community who may have other ideas to grow the initiative.”

Stephenie MacKenna from the Salvation Army Greymouth foodbank said the venison mince had been warmly received by families.

“We really appreciate Kai Puku helping to supply kai for our foodbank, especially the Game 2 Give programme where we receive the venison mince,” MacKenna said.

“We love being able to supply our families in need with a great source of protein, and our clients are so appreciative as well.

“The smile on their faces when they see the meat, as well as other items rescued by Kai Puku, including dairy and fresh vegetables, is so heartwarming.”

The meat is processed before being distributed into the community.

The Nature Economy Partnership lead for Development West Coast, Zak Shaw, said the initiative also highlighted the wider environmental benefits of recreational hunting.

“The West Coast is a region with an active community of hunters, and it’s also well known that deer populations, along with other ungulate species like goats and pigs, are in some areas in very high numbers,” he said.

“These animals are not only browsing heavily on the forest understory but also consuming vast quantities of high-value pasture on farms, which affects productivity.

“Recreational hunters play an important role in managing these game animal populations.

“The Game to Give initiative provides a practical platform for hunters to support both landowners and the wider community.”

Donated venison is professionally processed, packaged and labelled before being distributed.

Organisers said the next stage of Game to Give would focus on building a sustainable year-round model to help connect locally sourced food with families.

The project is led by Te Tai Poutini Kai Puku – Poutini Waiora in partnership with Xroadmeets Processing, Development West Coast, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association West Coast Branch and the Department of Conservation.

Local businesses including Delore Electrical, Wild Outdoorsman Hokitika, New World Hokitika, Precision Helicopters and Xroadmeets Processing have also backed the initiative.