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Book proposal: Help preserve the history of the NZ Deer Cullers Incorporated Society.

  • 2026 here we go!

      21 January 2026
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    Dear donators and supporters,

    Happy New Year to you all.

    I’ve started the new year with a trip to Napier where I interviewed deer culler, Bill Nikl. Bill’s photos from his days hunting are a great record of those times 1960-1970s. He enjoyed his photography, this is clear from the many well thought out compositions and the quality of his images. I had a great weekend looking through photos and interviewing him. He spent a winter on goat control on Raoul Island, I found that interesting. Bill is also a skilled craftsman, with his beautifully crafted handmade knives.

    The book is moving along, and it is my intention to ease of the travelling a bit this year, and concentrate on the writing, I'm hoping to get the books first draft completed by the end of the year.

    Donations are still coming in, and the plan is to keep the campaign running. The givealittle foundation are more than happy to have it continue and have encouraged me to do so, as its been such a positive experience with so much feedback and public attention. And this can only be good also, for when the book is released. So, please share the link with others: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers

    As usual I am very grateful for all the well wishes and donations recieved, and will continue to keep you updated on the campaign and the book’s progress.

    Best wishes

    Louise

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  • Going the extra mile

      16 December 2025
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    Dear donators and supporters,

    The givealittle foundation contacted me last week to announce the help-to-preserve-the history-of-the-NZ-deer-cullers campaign has resonated strongly with their team. They have included the campaign in their end of year media package featuring a selection of standout stories from the platform. It will be presented as part of a curated selection that reflects the generosity of New Zealanders throughout the year.

    This media pack will be shared with their national media contacts, including TV, radio and press outlets. With advise from the givealittle team, I will be extending the campaign end date, and leaving the goal amount open-ended. This decision is to make the most of this fantastic opportunity to reach the wider NZ public. Any donations received during this period will help cover any unforeseen expenses in the future. So, we will be continuing on for a little while yet to make the most of this exciting announcement. Merry Christmas everyone! Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season. The photo is from my recent Canterbury research trip. I’m sitting with the family of Joff Thomson, the founding father of the Deer cullers Society. On left is Barry Stevens, Joff’s son in law, Donald Stevens, Barry’s son and myself.

    Best wishes

    Louise

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  • We have arrived! $13.000 raised to preserve the history of NZDC Inc.

      4 December 2025
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    Dearest donators and supporters, it is with great pleasure that I announce we have not only reached but surpassed the goal amount for the givealittle campaign. It has been a tremendously successful venture. I will keep the current closing date of 02 January 2026 in place, as it is my mother’s birthday, she would have been 93. This is a good day to wrap it up, and ll we have achieved together. A celebration of my mother’s life, and all she taught me, including never to shy away from a good honest hard day’s work and to be an honest, giving and caring person. So, please, on 02 January wherever you are, raise a glass to my mum – and to us all. It takes a village to write a book! We did it, bless you all.

    In gratitude

    Louise

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  • Countdown: Only $978 to go!!!

      29 November 2025
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    Dear Donators and awesome supporters,

    What a year!! And what a tremendous effort from all you dear folk. With more donations coming in this month, making the total amount raised $11.622, and a balance of only $978!!!! to reach the goal amount of $12.600.

    Please share the link with others and tell people what I’m up to. This, as I always say, will be a book for all New Zealanders to enjoy.

    https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers

    I’ve had a fantastic year of travel and research, returning home with bags bursting at the seams. These trips take time to plan and cost money and without all your kind donations it would not be possible. Here’s a recent photo of me in Thames, sorting through a deer culler’s slide collection.

    Thank you everyone for your incredible support. I wish you all a peaceful and relaxing time over Christmas and New Year.

    In gratitude

    Louise

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  • Sika Show 2025

      6 November 2025
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    Dear donators and supporters,

    It’s been another very busy month, with more interviews done, lots of writing, yes, the book’s now well underway. And digitising a collection of old slides including some of the early government hunter training camps. The givealittle campaign received donations totalling of $800 for the month of October. The balance now to reach the goal amount of $12.600 is now down to $1,178. That’s just fantastic!! The campaign will run into the new year and please as usual share this link with others, we are almost there!!!!

    https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers

    This coming weekend I’ll be attending the Sika Show, at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton, to promote and talk about the deer cullers project and will have Finding Frank books to sell. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reach more people, meet new folk and catch up with some mates.

    Enjoy the sunshine! It’s a beaut day out there in the Waitakere Ranges, west Auckland.

    Catch up again soon with more news.

    In gratitude always,

    Louise

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  • Author Talk Auckland Heritage Festival and new end date for the fundraiser.

      4 October 2025
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    I was invited to talk at the Auckland Heritage Festival 2025. A lovely, intimate evening with in depth discussion on writing. I also talked about the new book and the fundraiser. We are now at $11.122. With a balance of $1,478 to reach the goal $12,600. I have extended the end date to January 02, allowing a bit of extra time to reach this. I’m constantly blown away with all the support out there. This campaign has been a huge success. So, almost there!!! Please share the link to others, and thank you.

    https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers

    Other news, I’m busy writing up profiles for the book from the various interviews, following up on leads, and there’s always ongoing research to do. So busy busy!!

    I hope that where ever you are you’re enjoying some warmer weather. Spring has arrived, and out here in the west Auckland bush everything is coming to life again after the winter slumber. Its truly magical.

    Have a great day and be well.

    In gratitude

    Louise

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  • Let's do it!! Almost there . . .

      4 September 2025
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    To my awesome donators and supporters,

    As promised, an update on the Wellington research trip from August. I spent most of the time with the president of the Deer Cullers Assn, John McCann, we visited the deer culler archives in Welly, and the weekend with John and his family in Masterton. Where an intensive two days had us combing through more archives and happy to say, I returned home with a bag of goodies! I also interviewed two more deer cullers for the book, Joe Hansen and Paul Clark. All in all, a fruitful and worthwhile trip, and made possible with financial assistance from the givealittle funds helping to pay for airfares, some accommodation and car hire costs.

    Recently, I’ve been researching the various government hunter training camps, great content for the book, and this will also form the subject of the next NZO magazine History Hunter instalment – out in the October issue.

    I’m also working on promotion for the givealittle fund raiser – the outcome is to raise that last $2000! It’s been an unbelievable heart-warming response so far, with all the donations and support, we are now at 10,400 so feeling this can be done, the last bit just needs a good push and cheering on to finish line. Let’s go for it.

    If you know of organisations or philanthropists I could approach, please contact me. And as usual, if you can send the link here, out to others - let people know what I’m up to, it all helps and is much appreciated.

    Be safe and well

    Louise

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  • We are almost there! Over $10.000 raised!!!

      11 August 2025
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    Dear donators and supporters,

    Well, it’s been a huge month with some very generous donations coming in. The total raised so far is now $10.157 We're on the home run! $2443 to go to meet the $12.600 goal. You can help with this by sharing the link below with others, as it’s always a case of spreading the word as far and wide as possible.

    https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers

    I’ve been busy organising the Wellington research trip, which is coming up next week. Other news, my 2nd instalment for the History Hunter series in NZ Outdoor magazine is out in the Aug/Sept issue. This one is very special, featuring deer culler Lew Sutherland. Lew wrote for NZ Outdoor magazine from 1950s - 1970s. For this latest issue I have edited and reprinted one of his stories from 1975 called “The Green Culler” recounting Lew’s first time out in the field as a government hunter. It’s a great tale of the hardships overcome, and his baptism of fire into the world of the good keen man.

    Thank you for all your support, the phone calls and messages. This means everything to me! We are a community and I cherish what we have created. Stay well and I'll be back with another update after the Wellington trip.

    In gratitude

    Louise

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  • Change to end date for the givealittle fundraiser

      16 July 2025
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    Howdy folks,

    I have the opportunity to move the end date for the givealittle campiagn to 16 October. This allows more time to reach the ultimate goal of $12.600. At present it is at $9757, so its looking very promising and I think very achievable. Thank you for your support and sharing the page with others. Have a great day!

    Best wishes

    Louise.

    https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers

    Image: Brian Smith, deer culler at Burke campsite, Haast, 1953. George Boyd Collection.

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  • Wellington Research Trip - and other news

      13 July 2025
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    Dear friends,

    I’m heading to Wellington in late August. I will be visiting the National Library and the Alexander Turnbull Library to view various collections, including image archives, and the Deer Cullers Society collection of newsletters. I’ll also be visiting, for the second time, the Deer Cullers archive at NZ Deer Stalkers House. And catching up with a few people in the wider Wellington region.

    Other news, the givealittle campaign will now be extended to October, allowing more time to promote and raise funds. We are at $8382 of the $12,600 goal. A huge effort so far.

    Please share the link with others and help raise awareness and interest. This is an important project, and will be a book for all New Zealanders to enjoy. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers

    Here’s a recent photo with deer culler, Russell Smith. Russell is an engaging story teller – excellent memory and detail, he’s thrilled his time as a deer culler will be recorded in the book.

    Thank you everyone for your support let’s keep the momentum going, spread the word and also, importantly, stay well and enjoy each day, where ever you are!

    Warm regards

    Louise

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  • NZ Outdoor magazine

      8 June 2025
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    I'd like to give a special shout out to NZO Magazine. And their ongoing support for the givealittle campaign. NZO have designed and printed a free full page givealittle advertisement to boost interest in the deer cullers book project and the fundraiser. It features in the current issue June/July, alongside my new series titled: The History Hunter, where I record - a diary of sorts on writing the book and the process of gathering all the interesting, and historical content.

    Other news. I have recently sent out a mailchimp e mail campaign, to promote the givealittle fundraiser. This reaches a wide audience in one hit, and has resulted in some more donations coming in, in the last week. We are almost there! And the groundswell of interest continues. Thank you from my heart for all your support and encouragement. This is truly an exciting time in my life. I’m brimming with passion and enthusiasm for this project, and to have the financial support alleviates a huge amount of stress and anxiety. It means I can focus on the work, and on getting the job done. And as always, please share the link to this page with others. Every little bit helps!

    Bless you all

    Stay safe and cosy, winter is upon us.

    Louise

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  • 17 May - Road trip to Russell Hulme’s Okaihau, Northland.

      20 May 2025
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    On Saturday morning I picked up Paul Clark from Auckland Airport, we headed up to Russell’s spending the afternoon and Sunday morning at with him. Russell was with NZFS 1961-1984. His image collection (slides, photos, negatives), is the first private collection to be gifted in perpetuity to the Deer Cullers Museum at NZDA House as part of my gathering and research for the book. He’s very happy about this, and so am I.

    It was a pleasure and honour to interview him and I thanked him profusely on leaving for being so generous. This trip was made possible by your generous donations, and helped pay for petrol on the 550k round trip from Auckland, and my accommodation costs for one night in Kerikeri. A very worthwhile trip. We are doing this together! Thank you.

    Best wishes always,

    Louise

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  • Trip to Thames

      30 April 2025
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    Dear donators,

    Over the long ANZAC weekend, I visited Thames for the third time, to return items copied for the book and catch up with Jock Spinks, Fred Dixon Andy Leigh. At Andy’s I met culler and helicopter pilot Jim Reed, we had a great time talking and organised a conference call with the three of us linked in with Ken Tustin down in Te Anau. They all worked together at one time, so it was a great opportunity to conduct an interview. I stayed two nights at Andy’s and got to know more about his interesting life story, and he’s a wonderful story teller. It rained all Sunday; we had the fire going and yarned the day away. This was another very fruitful trip; I came home with more boxes! So it looks like there will be a fourth trip to Thames at some stage.

    Best wishes

    Louise

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  • New givealittle closing date and goal amount

      30 April 2025
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    Dear donators and supporters,

    This message is to inform you that the end date for the campaign has been extended to 24 July, and the goal amount changed to $12,600. This extra $2600 will cover the givealittle fee of approximately $5-600 so that it doesn’t come out of the original $10,000 goal amount, and an extra $2000 for unseen expenses down the line that I haven’t allowed for, particularly for promotional costs when the book is published.

    The campaign has been a tremendous success, allowing me to travel, interview and do my work, and relieved any financial burden, allowing me to focus and get on with the job. Most importantly, with all the generous donations and well-wishes received, I see you as part of this wonderful community we have created, backing me to the finish line! That is the greatest feeling knowing we are on the journey together; that I’m not trekking the path alone.

    Bless you all. Stay safe and be well.

    Louise

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  • I attend an Easter Weekend Writer’s Workshop

      21 April 2025
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    Held at Maurice Shadbolt House and Studio, in Titirangi, west Auckland, by Going West Trust.

    The Creative Non-Fiction workshop was led by Richard Pamatatau, poet, essayist, lecturer, and programme leader for Creative Writing at AUT. It was a fantastic group, we had a great time sharing our work and thoughts on writing.

    So, what did I learn? Well, here’s what Richard asked us to consider. “How to employ a range of literary devices to elevate the text . . .write true stories with insight, intimacy, reflection and humour while being true to the facts as they deem pertinent.”

    To explore this theme, and other prompts given, we wrote a number of exercises then read these to the group. Some were deeply personal, sad and tragic, as life can be. Others very funny and hilarious. The words spoken touched many of us as we read our stories out.

    To sum up the day for me - it was a celebration of how far I’ve come, and also to always be open to learning and growing as a writer, and the importance of staying connected to my literary community.

    Winter is nearly upon us, stay snug and safe.

    Louise x

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  • Mavis Davidson donation

      14 April 2025
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    New Zealand Mountaineer, tramper, photographer, writer and researcher. In 1953 Mavis led the first all-women-only ascent to the summit of Aoraki, Mt Cook. In 1958 she joined the NZ Forestry Service Animal Research Section as a biologist. A few years later, she put in a proposal to study sika deer which she would go on to research for the remainder of her life. While working for NZFS she met and worked alongside many deer cullers and formed lifelong friendships. She was a trail-blazing individual, advocating the freedom for women to explore our mountains and wilderness regions alongside the men, or on their own and their terms. She was once denied a trip with an alpine club into the Hopkins Valley because there ‘might be climbing involved.’

    I am deeply humbled that one of the deer cullers who worked with her has donated on Mavis’s behalf, because ‘she would have supported this project.’ Were his words. Mavis will be in the book, alongside other women, which I also know would please her immensely. God bless you Mavis for being such a tour de force, in a male profession. A good keen Sheila indeed!

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  • An afternoon at the Croatian Club, west Auckland.

      1 April 2025
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    The givealittle fundraiser has now raised $6337. The campaign will run through to August, making that a rounded 12 months of promotion. Along with the researching, writing, cataloguing all the images and materials into a digital archive, I’m out there promoting the book project, talking to as many people as possible. I had a lovely time recently at the Croatian Club in west Auckland, selling Finding Frank books and handing out givealittle flyers. I’m happy to say it was a successful afternoon. I sold some books and had a donation come in the next day. There’s still a way to go to reach the goal. I ask you, please share the givealittle page with others, so far, the support has been tremendous. It warms my heart, my soul, to know I have this amazing community backing me.

    As always, thank you and be well.

    Louise

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  • NZ Deer Cullers Reunion Hokitika March 2025

      15 March 2025
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    Dear donators and awesome supporters,

    I'm thrilled to be sharing a little of the deer cullers reunion with you. And to announce the results of the deer cullers raffle to raise funds for the campaign. Sponsored by Wildoutdoorsman of Hokitika. We raised a total of $735. A great result, showing the support from all there. Here’s a photo of myself receiving the donation from president of NZDC John McCann and on the left Ernie Mason one of the reunion committee members. I conducted nine interviews, recording some great and memorable deer culling stories! I also received a cache of documents and photos from several people for the book. All in all, a very successful trip. To help with the writing and editing process I’ll be utilising the givealittle funds for a subscription to Grammarly Pro, this is an online editing service. I’ve used Grammarly Pro previously, and can vouch for its efficacy as a writing tool. I’m thankful to you all for making this possible. We have another few months to meet the goal of $10.000. At present it’s a few dollars short of $6000. What a tremendous effort so far from everyone involved. Thank you.

    Go well.

    Louise

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  • South Island Research trip 27 Feb-9 March

      21 February 2025
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    To my awesome donators and supporters,

    We are now over the halfway mark - and the campaign has been extended to early May with the option to extend another 2 months if needed to reach the goal. I’m still on the promotional path, and here's a photo taken at NZDA Auckland club night last week, with NZDA member Brian Winton. I talked about the givealittle campaign, handed out flyers and sold some books. NZDA have been very supportive of Finding Frank and this new book project.

    Exciting news: next week I’m down to Hokitika for the annual deer cullers reunion, where I will interview and gather more for the book. Then it’s Christchurch and Kaikoura to meet up with more deer cullers, conduct interviews and look at photos and memorabilia from their hunting days. This trip was planned last year and involved a lot of organising. The expenses incurred have been helped by your kind donations. As always, I am very grateful for your generosity. I'll be sending out another update when I return. Until then, talk to others, share the campaign link, and stay well.

    In gratitude

    Louise

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  • Change to closing date

      3 February 2025
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    To my awesome donators,

    I have extended the closing date of the givealittle campaign. This allows more time to reach the goal of $10,000. Also, very importantly it will cover the period of my first South Island research trip in March, which includes attending the Deer Cullers reunion in Hokitika, where I will be promoting the fundraiser and talking about the book and where its all at. Thank you for your support and please spread the word, and share the givealittle page. We are $200 away from reaching $5000 what a tremendous effort, and as always I am very grateful to you all.

    Go well.

    Kindest regards

    Louise

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  • Interview with Fred Dickson and co.

      19 January 2025
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    On Saturday 18 January, I enjoyed a very productive day trip to Thames to visit deer cullers' Fred Dickson, Andy Leigh and Jock Spinks. It doesn’t get much better than that! Three veteran cullers together. Being privy to, and listening to these guys reminisce of times past, of their continued camaraderie - these are truly golden moments. Givealiitle funds help pay for my petrol expenses. And, as always, I am very grateful for all your support on this exciting bookmaking journey. Thank you, bless you. And go well in 2025. Much love Louise

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  • Relax, enjoy . . .

      24 December 2024
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    And here I am having some festive fun.

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  • Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

      24 December 2024
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    Merry Christmas. I wish you joy, good health, and happiness over the holiday season and for the New Year ahead.

    I want to shout out a big thank you for your support of the givealittle campaign, not only your kind donations but also all your words of support and encouragement. Together we achieved this, and it's been a tremendous community effort. We are now well on our way to reaching the goal of $10,000. And to add to this, I’m excited to announce that I have amassed enough research to begun writing the book – one of the early chapters on the introduction of deer into New Zealand. I started just this last week, and it’s exciting to be at this point, the book writing has begun its journey.

    Take care all, and see you in the New Year with another update on my plans for 2025.

    Best wishes

    Louise

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  • Its all happening - another interview under my belt

      1 December 2024
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    I’m starting to accumulate some good, solid research with several interviews now done and dozens of photos and documents scanned and sorted into folders. I’m currently reading some books written by ex-cullers and others on the history of deer in NZ, digging more into those early days when deer were first introduced to NZ and what eventually led to the era of the government deer hunter. My latest interview was with Sonny Cranson. Sonny kindly loaned me two of his photo albums to look through at my leisure. He was a deer culler in the mid-1950s and early 60s. I’ve met him a few times at the reunions, it was nice to spend some good quality time together and hear his story. Sonny made a significant donation to the givealittle campaign, and I’m very grateful for this support, for his generosity and for sharing his photos and stories.

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  • Saturday, 2 November, Sika Show, Mystery Creek, Hamilton.

      8 November 2024
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    I had a productive day at the NZ Outdoor stand, meeting people, selling books, and handing out the givealittle flyers. After the show, I headed down to ex-deer culler Graeme Reinhardt at Benneydale in the King Country. I photographed over 300 documents and conducted an hour-long interview with Graeme. His collection is impressive, going back to 1958 when he first started as a government hunter. All in all, a 500k round trip and well worth it! And made possible with your generous contributions put towards petrol and one night’s accommodation.

    Thank you

    Louise

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  • Sika Show Mystery Creek, Hamilton 2nd & 3rd November

      28 October 2024
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    To all my wonderful donators and awesome supporters,

    The Sika Show is New Zealand’s and Australasia’s largest Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show. I’ll be there all Saturday, and from 1 to 4 p.m. you can find me at the NZ Outdoor magazine stand. Drop by and say hello if you’re around.

    This show will be a fantastic opportunity to reach more people and talk about the fundraising, and I’m stoked to be part of the NZ Outdoor team, with their publication established in 1937 this makes them the longest-running hunting & outdoors magazine in New Zealand. NZ Outdoor have been publishing my articles since 2011, and are currently running a series of extracts from the Finding Frank book. It will be a great day and I’m really looking forward to being there.

    Your kind donations have helped towards the promotional materials for the show: the tee shirt, flyers and posters.

    To all of you, I’m blessed and grateful to have your support.

    Thank you

    Louise

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  • First Research Trip

      26 September 2024
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    To my awesome donators,

    Funds raised so far have helped towards my first research trip to interview and look at the collection of Jock Spinks. Jock was one of the early Forestry Service deer cullers (1960s). I’ve also paid my registration and airfare to attend the next Deer Cullers Inc. reunion in Hokitika next year - where I will glean more info and interviews for the book. I’m so grateful to you all, you’ve helped make this happen! I have some cool ideas in the mix also, to raise awareness for the givealittle campaign, and more trips planned. I’ll be sharing all this as it unfolds.

    Thanks again

    Louise

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  • $1215 raised in three weeks.

      30 August 2024
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    Thank you for your support with gifting funds and your kind messages. This is a great start to the campaign. I'm so grateful to you all.

    Warmest regards

    Louise

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