If you’re interested in at least one of these fields – culinary arts, hunting, or Māori culture – the name Peter Peeti will probably ring a bell. Peter is a great example of a passionate multitasker and a person deeply connected to his Māori roots.

Based in the Central North Island, known for its geothermal wonders and unique natural features, Peter arranged our meeting during a trip for a wallaby hunt. His packed schedule shows his commitment and versatility, as well as his adaptability. By day, he is a familiar face on Māori TV; by night, he is a dedicated hunter.

The foundation of culture and conservation

Growing up at the heart of Māori culture, his family lived by its deep traditions and core values. A holistic worldview and strong spiritual ties to the land have shaped his unconditional love for nature and its inhabitants. He was introduced to hunting as a traditional and necessary practice in his early childhood. It later became his profession with a key mission: conservation in New Zealand.

Today, he directs and presents the longest-running series on Māori Television, with over 300 cooking show episodes and at least 100 on hunting. He is also a master in finding ways to combine these two activities. “Most of the time, I would take all my hunting equipment and go straight to the set. Cooking from what was freshly hunted or fished gives me room for improvisation and surprise,” Peter says.

Most of the time, I would take all my hunting equipment and go straight to the set. Cooking from what was freshly hunted or fished gives me room for improvisation and surprise.

Peter Peeti

By showing how to cook organic meat for his community, he also spreads awareness of ethical hunting and its importance for preserving local fauna and flora. “One time, when I was first introduced to Pulsar thermal imaging devices and purchased one for myself, I simply took it to my show,” Peter reveals. He also makes sure to use his visibility on television wisely: “I wanted to show a different approach to thermal, show it’s not a tool of cheating, but of precision and protection.”

A hunter with a passion and a mission

Late evenings spent silently in the moonlight and long nights scouting in dense vegetation are Peter’s joy and a way to relax. “I see hunting as a way to wind down,” he explains.  He then adds, “It’s no surprise, though, in my family, the fathers, the uncles, the grandfathers – everyone hunted.”

The continuously increasing population of some invasive wallaby species is his frequent target. By consuming native vegetation, forestry plans, and pasture, wallabies cause extensive damage to the New Zealand ecosystem. Peter recalls how hunting looked back in the day and suggests a possible cause for the wallabies’ overpopulation: “We’d catch them alive for the zoo and get a few dozen dollars for each. There were so many of them that people would even use fishing nets. I think a bunch of them must’ve escaped during transport or farming them in holding pens, because you can find them in places now that they never were before.”

During the global pandemic, the deer population also exceeded its usual numbers in New Zealand. Both recreational and commercial hunting were classed as non-essential activities during parts of the lockdown, which was a critical factor for the deer population boom. After wallabies, deer are another target in Peter’s pest control.

Surprises in the field

Any hunter would likely agree that hunting is, on one hand, a deeply disciplined activity governed by rules, and on the other hand, a wild and unpredictable endeavor. As a professional with extensive experience, Peter has plenty of stories.

A while ago, in one of his TV shows shot in Fiordland National Park, he had one of those situations that felt like a nightmare in the moment but is now a story told with laughter. “I remember this one time we were filming, I think it was in Fiordland National Park. The guy who owned the hunting block told us not to shoot this one specific stag because of his good genes. He even told us exactly where the stag hung out, so we went somewhere else, where we were allowed to hunt. We found a different stag there, shot him, and of course, it turned out to be the one we weren’t supposed to take. Guess he just decided to change his scenery that day.”

Where technology meets the hunt

In our conversation, Peter also touches on the potential of new technologies and how they’ve revolutionized hunting habits. He emphasizes that even with his deep commitment to cultural traditions, there is no conflict between them and technology.

“Thermal optics completely changed the game. It’s all about safety and being more effective. Back in the day, we’d just use a regular light, but deer got smart real quick – they learned to run as soon as they saw a beam. With thermal, they don’t even know you’re there. One time, I even spotted a poacher with it. You still get those guys. At first, I thought it was a hog moving through the woods. Then the thing started crawling on the ground, and that’s when I knew it was a person.”

For Peter, Pulsar thermal imaging and night vision devices play a key role in his day-to-day work. “Protecting wildlife and providing for my family are my top priorities, and thermal gear simply allows me to do it safely and effectively,” he says with confidence.

Protecting wildlife and providing for my family are my top priorities, and thermal gear simply allows me to do it safely and effectively.

Peter Peeti

Peter Peeti’s mastery of combining his passions into one coherent and complementary lifestyle, all while remaining true to his cultural background, is an inspiration to many. It’s a great example of how New Zealand can use technological potential to help manage the population of their country’s distinctive wildlife.