The quality of the red stags harvested in 2014 were of the highest standard. A relatively easy winter and a lush spring provided the platform for the stags to grow excellent antlers. Some massive trophies were harvested in New Zealand in 2014, both in the wild and on the game estates.

Another easy winter in 2014 and another lush spring is setting up a fantastic season for 2015 as well. The stags are growing their velvet over the next two months. It is an important time and they need plenty of quality feed to ensure they grow out plenty of hard antler. By mid February the stags have started stripping the velvet to expose the hard antler and begin sharpening up the points in preparation for the rut which begins in March. The rut carries on in to April. It is a fantastic time to be in the mountains hunting down a red stag. By late April the stags have settled down and the cunning fallow bucks start rutting. Around the end of April the buck chamois starts rutting followed by the bull tahr in June.

From March to July New Zealand becomes a hunter's paradise. As the colder weather and snow normally arrives later in May and June, the earlier months are not only a very pleasant time to be hunting but also to spend some time touring around and relaxing.

With best regards,

The Hossack

VISIT US AT THE SCI LAS VEGAS CONVENTION

If you are intending to attend this convention we will be located at Booth 1822 from 4-7 February 2015. We will be there with HUNT AUSTRALIA and look forward to discussing any plans you may have about hunting in New Zealand and/or Australia/New Caledonia.

We are putting together some special packages for this convention including the complete hunting holiday package for the family. The South Pacific is both a hunter's paradise and a fantastic holiday destination.

For more information about this convention go to www.showsci.com

INVESTING IN NEW ZEALAND AND OUR ROCK STAR ECONOMY

While the rest of the world has struggled with the global financial crisis, New Zealand has been going from strength to strength.

It has been called a "Rock Star Economy" in recent years. Led by the substantial growth and strong overseas interest in the primary sector together with a positive immigration flow and the massive rebuild of Christchurch, property values have been steadily increasing.

Recreational ranches, the conversion of sheep and beef ranches to dairy farms and the acquisition of residential investment and holiday homes are popular with both overseas and New Zealand investors.

There are also plenty of joint venture opportunities including the purchase of smaller shareholdings in well-established recreational ranches starting at US$300,000.

For the cash investor, NZ banks have been paying interest on bank deposits at more than twice the rates paid in the USA.

The strength of the US$ against the NZ$ at this time provides a further reason for investing in NZ. Click here to read a recent article on why investing offshore helps protect your assets.

LOOKING FOR A BOLTHOLE?

Investing in New Zealand can also smooth the path for obtaining residency here. Many overseas people rightly see New Zealand as a "bolt hole" in troubled times. The world is not just undergoing massive financial change. Terrorist activity is becoming more widespread and brutal. There have been no terrorist incidents in New Zealand.

The NZ Government is very keen to attract investors of good character. It realises that NZ needs overseas capital to help grow the economy. There is currently a positive immigration flow to New Zealand. Many of these people are overseas investors who have also applied for permanent residency.

To see a summary of NZ immigration options click here.

Overseas landowner creates a New Zealand legacy

Four high country stations, formally owned by Shania Twain, have recently had protective land covenants totalling 53,000 hectares (130,000 acres) placed over the stations by the current overseas owner.

This private land protection agreement by an overseas landowner is the largest of its kind in New Zealand's history. It illustrates how an overseas owner can add great value to New Zealand's heritage whilst still running a viable commercial undertaking on the land.

To read more about this magnificent land covenant click here.

New Zealand Attorney

If you are considering investing and/or immigrating to New Zealand contact John Angland to assist you.

John has been advising overseas investors and new immigrants for over 20 years. He will personally show you around the country and help locate your piece of paradise with you.

Email John at john@anglands.co.nz or visit his website at www.anglands.co.nz