The Project

The Fiordland Project is an initiative of the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation. The Fiordland Project operates as a charitable non-profit organisation. All profits are allocated directly to conservation initiatives. 

1

Stage one of the Fiordland Project is to build a purpose-built Venison processing plant in Te Anau. Funded through partnerships, donations and philanthropy. 

2

Stage two is to fund ongoing deer management in Fiordland National Park. 

Vision

To extend the successful, volunteer-led model from the Wapiti Area to the entire national park. This is about building a sustainable deer management system that prioritises conservation, restores ecosystems, empowers communities, and feeds people.

Objectives

  1. Raise $3,000,000 to build a venison processing plant in Te Anau. (Note: Approximately $2,000,000 has already been raised.) 

  2. Long-term funding initiatives to support deer management in Fiordland. 

  • Deer selection will be based on ecological impact, not commercial value. That includes targeting females and harder-to-reach animals where recovery may not be feasible.

  • Continuing with the established and effective methods used in the Wapiti Area.

  • A small-scale venison processing plant, purpose-built to support Fiordland’s unique conditions.

  • Multi-purpose supply chain, sharing protein through foodbanks, community networks, and select national commercial markets.

  • Animal selection aligned with conservation outcomes, not just profit.

  • This is the first project created to support deer management in Fiordland National Park. The project will also focus on innovation and finding deer management system that have been disregarded due to idealistic principles. 

This is conservation through food. Every deer harvested becomes part of a larger story.

The Te Anau facility will

‣  Provide reliable processing for deer recovered in Fiordland

‣  Reduce transport emissions and operational costs

‣  Create local jobs and build community capability

‣  Offer year-round support for the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation’s conservation work.

This is not industrial-scale. It’s right-sized, place-based, and purpose-built to do one thing well: to make ethical conservation possible.

Economic Approach

This is a fit-for-purpose project. It’s not about generating profit – it’s about giving a community the tools to participate in conservation meaningfully and sustainably.

  • Building the facility in Te Anau enables cost-effective, low-emission deer recovery and supports local infrastructure.

  • Creating jobs and economic opportunities that keep value within the region.

  • Revenue from venison sales helps fund long-term ecological restoration.

  • All proceeds go back into conservation work, building a self-sustaining model.