Poronui Hunting Guides

You'll come to love the Poronui Hunting family. Not just because our hunting guides are very experienced and knowledgeable about hunting in New Zealand. And not just because of our relaxed and welcoming attitude. But because over the time you spend with us, and the stories we'll share, we'll become like family. Another reason to come back to Poronui Hunting.

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  Ian Lowe

  Ian is one of New Zealand’s most experienced hunting guides with over 18 years guiding and 30 years professional hunting experience. Ian has hunted all over New Zealand as well as extensively in the US, he has a clear understanding of what American hunters’ expectations are – and he delivers on them every time.
  
  Ian has guided on several world record animals throughout the years. Close to his heart however, is the opportunity to guide first time big game hunters. Ian’s knowledge and experience in all things hunting is invaluable for those of you who are unsure about whether or not you are up to a New Zealand hunt.
  
  After working on several large hunting estates Ian is now working independently as well as on Poronui. We are pleased to have him as a member of our guiding team.
  
  

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  Mark McGlashan

  Mark joined the team at Poronui as property manager but his great passions are hunting and fishing. It was an easy decision for him and his wife Julie to come to live on Poronui. Mark has revelled in the experience of working with deer and hunters on a daily basis and his dry sense of humour and unassuming nature have quickly made Mark a popular member of the guiding team.
  

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  'Snow' Hewetson

  Snow has over thirty years hunting experience and has successfully hunted all New Zealand game animals other than rusa and wapiti.  He has taken several record book tahr trophies including a 14 inch bull that earned a bronze medal from the NZ Deerhunting Association.  In addition to his obvious experience, Snow is a Hunts Course instructor with NZDA, has a diploma in Outdoor Leadership (Hunts), a certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Maintaining Safety), and a certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Bush Instructor). He is a Range Officer and a 4WD driver training specialist. Snow has been guiding for six years and really enjoys meeting and working with people from all walks of life.

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  David Evans

  Dave is our property manager at Glazebrook - he has been farming since he left school and has a national certificate in agriculture. Dave has worked at properties around the South Island andis now home leasing the family farm, a 3700ha high country property called Stronvar, running merino sheep and angus cattle.
  
  Dave is a keen hunter, mainly of deer, pigs, goats, chamois and ducks, and he has also hunted wallaby in South Canterbury and deer in North Mexico. He gets around - not only has Dave played over 70 rugby games for Marlborough (the Red Devils) NPC Div 2 team - including 2 Ranfurly Shield challenges and a international vs Fiji, he played as a professional in Northern Ireland for 2 seasons. Lucky for us he has now retired due to injury and is available to guide at Glazebrook when required!

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  Neil Philpott

  Neil understands hunting sika deer better than anyone. The author of "Sika Hunter" and creator of the videos "Sika Safari" and "Hunting New Zealand", Neil has hunted and guided on Poronui for years - helping clients achieve some magnificent trophies. Neil lives and breathes sika, and is just as motivated training newcomers to get their first deer as he is guiding experienced hunters to monster trophy stags.
  
  Neil also has probably the largest sika deer trophy collection in the Southern Hemisphere, if not globally, with over 60 trophy eight point sika stags. 

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  Dave Sharp

  Dave Sharp is an experienced deer hunting guide. He has been involved in the hunting scene all his life and is particularly interested in sika deer. He is usually seen with his Hungarian Vizsla, Gem, who has contributed to many wonderful hunts. Gem is now being retired and her young successor is another beautiful Vizsla, named "Belle"who was bred at Poronui.
  
  As well as occasional articles, Rod and Rifle magazine has published two series written by Dave, "How to train a Deer Dog", and "How to hunt Sika Deer".  Dave is also known for his poetry writing, and has a book published, called "Ballads for Blokes".

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  Steve Smith

  Steve Smith came to Poronui as GM for Westervelt in NZ after many years of dedicated service with NZ Fish & Game. Steve began at Fish & Game in 1984 with the Wellington and Taranaki regions before becoming regional manager for the Eastern region, based in Rotorua. Recognised for his outstanding work both regionally and at national level, Steve continues to work privately for the interests of anglers and hunters at Westervelt. Steve is a wildlife biologist, experienced hunter and angler and a keen advocate for long term land and resource management. He is married to Tracey and has three children.