The volunteers running the branch.

David Veitch is the President of Southern Lakes NZDA, helping lead one of New Zealand’s most active and community-minded deerstalking branches.

In his role, David represents the branch, supports the committee, and helps keep the club focused on the things that matter: responsible hunting, conservation, practical member support, and maintaining strong connections across the local hunting community.

His leadership reflects the branch’s hands-on character, balancing tradition with the ongoing work needed to keep access, education, huts, events, and conservation projects moving forward.

Katie Dugan is Co-Vice President of Southern Lakes NZDA, sharing the role with Aaron Shaw and supporting the President, committee, and wider membership.

Katie has made a strong commitment to the branch’s HUNTS programme and leads the ladies hunts, helping create a welcoming and supportive pathway for women to get involved, build confidence, and connect with others in the hunting community.

Her contribution reflects the volunteer-led nature of Southern Lakes NZDA, where committee members play an important part in supporting responsible hunting, encouraging participation, and helping ensure the branch continues to serve local hunters and the wider outdoors community.

Aaron Shaw is Co-Vice President of Southern Lakes NZDA, sharing the role with Katie Dugan and supporting the President, committee, and wider membership in keeping the branch active, practical, and connected. In this role, Aaron helps provide leadership across club activities, member engagement, events, conservation work, and the many behind-the-scenes responsibilities that sit behind a strong volunteer organisation.

His contribution reflects the hands-on nature of Southern Lakes NZDA, where committee members play an important part in supporting responsible hunting, maintaining club facilities, encouraging participation, and helping ensure the branch continues to serve local hunters and the wider outdoors community.