The Committee

Origins

The committee was formed in 1987 and comprises of representatives from the local landowners, Auckland branches of the NZDA and other committed parties.

The WFMC runs under a formal lease agreement, currently with Taumata Plantations Ltd. (managed by Hancock Forest Management Ltd). The WFMC is charged with the appropriate management of the herd which not only ensures the continuation of public hunting, but also the protection of the environment through the managing of deer numbers and the fencing of specific native bush areas. This also involves close liaison with Taumata Plantations Ltd. and other forest users as the forest becomes more popular with other recreational groups. The management of the Woodhill herd is without doubt a success story that needs to be repeated throughout New Zealand.

Current Members

Chairman:	Garth Johnson
Treasurer:	Ken Howlett
Secretary:	Mark Nobilo
Committee:	Dave Chisholm, Brian Witton, Richard Morris, Mike Ross, Ross Tindale, Alec Corban

The Ballot Fee

These funds are collected to pay for the administration of the WFMC, ballot costs, signage for the hunting blocks, patrols through out the year for poaches and security during hunting, communications within the forest, a lease fee to Taumata Plantations Ltd. and most significantly for deer fencing of areas of significant conservation value as identified by Department of Conservation.

At present the fencing projects under way are Lake Otatoa (3.5km) and Hodges Basin (2.51km) at a cost of $13/m it is an expensive exercise. There is another 15 - 20km of fencing identified that could be fenced. As you can see this is a long-term commitment by the WFMC