History

In the mid 1970’s a few archers sought to move away from the NZ Archery Association (NZAA – now Archery NZ) to focus on field styled archery rather than target.  

While there were only two archery associations in existence (NZAA for target and NZ Bowhunters for hunting) it was noted that there were a large number of archers (estimated 90% of practicing field archers) did not belong to NZAA.

At a meeting of representatives of Auckland District Field and Target clubs on Wednesday 23 June 1982 the following motion initiating the development which led to the formation the NZ Field Archery Association was passed:

‘that a steering committee be elected to formulate the aims and objectives of a National self-administering Field Body and convey these and the appropriate changes to the administrative body of the NZAA for their response and action, and that in the event of a positive response, the steering committee to work with the National Executive, NZAA. To implement those changes, and that in the event of a negative response to the steering committee to initiate procedures to begin a new independent field body, and that the steering committee communicate all available information to target and field clubs and ask for their response’

A subsequent report (estimated to be 1983) by Kevin Williamson (Steering Committee Chairman) noted that:

‘a number of local [Auckland] got together to initiate moves in this direction.   All clubs both target and field, affiliated with NZAA and non-affiliated were invited to a meeting to present their views and make a decision regarding the future of field archery as a separate sports discipline. The active field movement in the district was well represented at this meeting and very plainly stated the policy they wished to pursue and elected a steering committee to develop this policy.’

In Easter 1984 Trevor Irvine travelled to Ripley, Brisbane, Australia as an Honorary Australian in their Australian Bowhunters Association (ABA) National Tournament (the ABA system would not recognize New Zealanders) – 600 archers shooting bare bows!!

While competing at their Nationals Syd Green (ABA President at the time) announced their pending affiliation to a new form of field archery through a relatively new international body called International Field Archery Association (IFAA).

The ABA had a IFAA Field 14 target round for those interested to participate in a shoot separate from the main tournament. The round took 8 hours because everyone decided they had to have a go.

Trevor had a meeting with Syd to find out how to get the newly formed NZFAA also affiliated with IFAA. Trevor returned to NZ with a full report and recommendation to the NZFAA on how NZFAA and our archers could be provided with international recognition and the ability to compete internationally with the possibility of future IFAA World Champions.

All agreed this was the way forward so NZFAA sent off a written application and awaited in anticipation.  There was a delay in processing the application as it turned out that NZAA had also applied to be affiliated with IFAA.  Once the focus of NZFAA was explained and it was noted that NZAA were already affiliated to FITA it was agreed that NZFAA’s application would be accepted. 

This process was led by a small steering and founding Committee: President – Kevin Williamson, Secretary – John Clynes, Committee: Trevor Irvine, Derek Bates, Terry Benjaman

The first National tournament was held at Pineridge Archery Club in 1984, among his medals Peter Martel discovered a silver medal dated 1984, Gold (1st) Laurie Mitchell (of Dargaville Bowhunters club) and Silver (2nd) Peter Martel in the BHFS class. Peter recalls the event only had one freestyle open class and that was won by Kevin Williamson.

It is around 1985 that the first constitution was established and it is understood that the National Committee managed any rule changes directly.

The NZFAA ‘OnCourse’ newsletter was the primary communication tool for letting clubs and members know about upcoming events and activities of the National Committee. In the early years the association had a very strong focus on members achieving ranking points and these were also listed in the newsletter.

The first recorded use of the NZFAA logo was in the 1985/86 OnCourse newsletter and is shown on the left image below.  The logo had some minor changes made in 1988 (middle image below) but remains fairly much the same today – just with a bit more colour shown in the right image below.

These Financial Life Memberships were called Inaugural Life memberships and a new Cloth embroidered NZFAA badge was made for the recipients and is shown in the picture above. A certificate was also issued. 

Becoming a life member exempted you from all charges for LIFE, covering league, postal and masters fees (not including social charges).

With the $900 raised the NZFAA was able to survive, and the rest is as they say, History.

The minutes of the NZFAA National Committee meetings in the late 1980’s record discussions and topics very similar to those still being discussed today and include:

Ø  Discussion on the introduction of an Annual Club Levy of $5 was proposed – but clarification was needed before Clubs were officially notified.

Ø  2nd league round hosted by Pine Ridge Club – confirmed $1 fee payable to NZFAA

Ø  Discussion on Coaching fees

Ø  Review of a large amount of paperwork from IFAA with proposed changes to rules and equipment specifications

League events were hosted all over the country and affiliated clubs 1986 included Far North, Northern Wairoa, Massey, Kauri Park, Pine Ridge, Mountain View, Weymouth and South Island. 

Len and Betty Martel were the first NZFAA members to receive “Honorary Life Membership”.  These were presented to them at the NZFAA Championships held in 1992 at the Massey Archery Club by then President Trevor Irvine.

Subsequently Honorary Life Memberships have been awarded to Trevor Irvine, Cheryl Irvine, David Hillary, Paul Thompson and  James Williams.

NZFAA has continued to grow in strength and size since the 1980s and the current membership of the Association is 633 (as at December 2025).  

NZFAA have had large numbers of members represent the Association and NZ on the world stage and several members break World and Pacific IFAA records.  We have also hosted several IFAA International Events.

None of this would have been possible without the voluntary work undertaken via the various Committee members over the years.  You can find the NZFAA Roll of Honor listing all National Committee members over the years here.