The Origins Foundation Podcast

Episode 627 - Hunters 4 Hope || 116,672 Meals

Release Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Robbie, The Origins Foundation
Guests: Adam and Steve Hill, Hunters for Hope (New Zealand)

Episode Overview

This episode revisits the inspiring journey of Adam and Steve Hill, founders of Hunters for Hope—a New Zealand-based charity channeling surplus venison from hunters to food banks and community groups. The conversation charts their exponential impact, overcoming complex legal and practical obstacles, mobilizing local “Dad’s Army” volunteers, and strengthening community ties. The highlight: a surprise funding announcement enables their next leap in capacity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolution of Hunters for Hope (00:00–09:30)

• From Idea to Impact:
  Hunters for Hope began as a small-scale solution to the issue of surplus game meat, turning an abundance of venison into a community resource. Adam and Steve hunted regularly, and soon discovered they brought back more than their families could use.
  Adam (08:32):
  “We started mincing up a little bit and a little bit turned into a little bit more into a little bit more and now we've got this beast that we...”

• Growth and Influence:
  The program’s success has inspired queries from other regions in New Zealand and across Australia, where regulations present barriers.

• Legal Hurdles:
  In New Zealand, as long as the venison is donated (not sold) and all parties acknowledge it’s unregulated, donations are legal, unlike complex Australian protocols.

2. Conservation Meets Food Security (13:56–18:19)

• Why Keep Hunting?
  New Zealand’s deer populations (particularly red and fallow) are surging, causing ecological and agricultural strain. Hunters are actively encouraged by landowners to cull as many as possible. Adam (14:23):
  “There is, there is simply too many of them. And quite a lot of the farms that we hunt on...the farmers say...please shoot as many as you can. And now we've got a reason to take as many as we can with us and bring them back and give them all the way.”

• No Tag Limits:
  Unlike many US states, there are no hunting seasons or bag limits; the focus is on pest control and maximizing use—not leaving animals in the field.

• Operational Limitations:
  The group focuses on venison due to limitations in processing capacity, despite the prevalence of other pest species like pigs.

3. The Mechanics: How It Works (18:19–23:06)

• The Processing Flow:
  Donated deer (already gutted, often skinned and frozen) are delivered by hunters. “Dad’s Army”—a volunteer group mostly of retiree men—helps with skinning, boning, mincing, and logistics.

• Community, Not Just Calories:
  Dad’s Army finds renewed purpose in volunteering, and their work extends beyond food—fostering camaraderie and connection.

  Steve Hill (19:58):
  “We’ve got this group of 12 or 15...67 year old men...they actually get enjoyment and satisfaction out of knowing that one, what they are doing to help us is genuinely making a difference.”

4. Building Ripple Effects in the Community (23:06–27:19)

• Wider Impact:
  Participating in meal services and visiting distribution sites, volunteers witness the tangible benefits of their efforts—fueling mutual aid among community organizations.

  Steve Hill (24:32):
  “Community groups are sharing with community groups to make sure that more people are fed. So a simple thing like that is really cool...our efforts to have open doors in other areas...that’s pretty cool.”

• Reach:
  Over 35 groups now receive venison monthly, sometimes even disaster-affected communities (e.g. the Nelson area after floods).

5. Scale of Achievement (27:19–30:56)

• Year-on-Year Growth:

  • Year 1: 2,100 kg
  • Year 2: 6,938 kg
  • Year 3 (2025): 14,084 kg
  • Equivalent: 112,672 meals and approximately 650–700 deer removed from the wild herd.

  Steve Hill (29:50):
  “112,672”

  Robbie (30:07):
  “That’s what we will title this podcast, right? 112,672 meals.”

• Expanding Partnerships:
  Working with 9 commercial safari parks, aiming for 13 in the next season.

6. Challenges & Limitations: What's Next? (32:05–37:47)

• Facility Bottlenecks:
  Space—the chiller and processing rooms—are now the main bottlenecks. While capacity could theoretically reach the “high teens” (thousands of kg), further growth hinges on infrastructure.

  Steve Hill (33:29):
  “…we are limited in production just purely by facilities and processing and a little bit by time as well.”

• Estimated Expansion Cost:
  To double the processing space and increase freezer capacity: about NZ$20,000.

7. The Surprise: Funding Secured for Expansion (38:33–40:13)

• Major Announcement:
  Robbie reveals that a combination of donations from Venator and Quail Cubby Coffee will provide nearly NZ$17,000–20,000 for facility upgrades.

  Robbie (38:57):
  “Venator down in Wanaka said...these guys are doing great stuff...10,000 US translate to 17,000 New Zealand. So it gets bloody close. Plus, I don't know how much quail cubby coffee is going to...we need to get to 20 and so you guys better get to work.”

  Adam (39:29):
  “That's amazing news. Thank you very much. Venator.”

  Steve Hill (39:32):
  “For a company at the level of Venator to recognize our efforts and to actually put their money where their mouth is, we're extremely grateful.”

8. Looking Ahead: The Power of Storytelling (40:13–41:10)

• Documenting the Journey:
  Plans to film and share the Hunters for Hope story, highlighting every step from field to table and deepening the movement’s visibility.

  Robbie (40:24):
  “We want to film your story...I want to follow a dad's army to go pick up...process deer...serving at that community lunch...”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:26] Adam:
  “It's like snakes and ladders. You guys are climbing the ladder and then somebody does something stupid and you just slide down.”
• [19:58] Steve Hill:
  “It's...a group of 12 or 15 sixty-seven year old men…they actually get enjoyment and satisfaction out of knowing that...what they are doing to help us is genuinely making a difference.”
• [24:32] Steve Hill:
  “Community groups are sharing with community groups to make sure that more people are fed.”
• [29:50–30:00] Steve Hill & Robbie:
  “112,672...That’s what we will title this podcast, right? 112,672 meals.”
• [38:57] Robbie:
  “Venator down in Wanaka said...these guys are doing great stuff...10,000 US translate to 17,000 New Zealand. So it gets bloody close...you guys better get to work.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Intro to Hunters for Hope origins (00:00–09:30)
• Legal & social barriers in NZ and Australia (09:30–13:56)
• Why large-scale culling is necessary (13:56–16:19)
• Processing flow & Dad’s Army volunteers (18:19–22:02)
• Community effects and meal distribution (22:02–27:19)
• Production numbers and scaling up (27:19–32:05)
• Challenges for Year 4 expansion (32:05–37:47)
• Surprise funding announcement (38:33–40:13)
• Documentary plans and conclusion (40:13–end)

Tone and Language

The conversation is warm, candid, and infused with New Zealand vernacular—mateship, understated humor (“Dad’s Army,” “jeepers creepers”), and genuine passion for both conservation and community welfare. Robbie’s excitement in delivering good news and the gratitude from Adam and Steve create an uplifting, communal tone.

Summary

Episode 627 chronicles the remarkable evolution of Hunters for Hope from a backyard project to a regional force against food insecurity and environmental degradation. By leveraging hunters’ surplus, building a network of community groups, and engaging retired men (Dad's Army), Adam and Steve have created a virtuous cycle—one that not only feeds thousands but connects and strengthens communities. The surprise funding announcement is a testament to the broader support and impact their story continues to inspire.

Episode Title:
“112,672 Meals: Hunters for Hope’s Surplus Turning Point”