Our History
The story of the Bennett family and Deer Genetics NZ
Since 1979, the Bennett family has combined hard work, innovation and an eye for opportunity to develop exceptional deer genetics sought by breeders around the world.
A family business built around deer
The Bennett family’s involvement with deer began in the North Island in 1979, during the pioneering early years of New Zealand deer farming. As the emerging industry developed, Don and Anne began establishing a herd of their own.
At the time, mature captured deer were scarce and extraordinarily expensive. Instead, Don and Anne purchased younger animals captured from the wild by helicopter, which were more affordable and easier to settle into farm life.
These early beginnings laid the foundations for a family business that would become Deer Genetics NZ, now recognised internationally for its elite red deer trophy genetics.
Their son Kelly grew up immersed in the farm. In the 1990s, Kelly’s experience with deer farming extended well beyond NZ. At just 17 years of age Kelly travelled to work in Wales then on to France and Australia further broadening his experience in deer farming and livestock management.
NZ's pioneering deer industry
The DGNZ story is closely connected to the remarkable development of deer farming in New Zealand.
Deer were first introduced to New Zealand into the wild in the late 19th century, but commercial deer farming did not begin until the 1970s. New Zealand went on to pioneer commercial deer farming, developing purpose-built handling systems, farming practices and breeding technologies for an animal that had previously lived largely in the wild.
At the industry’s peak, New Zealand had around 7,500 deer farmers. By 2025, that number had reduced to approximately 1,400, farmers and around 800,000 red deer, elk and fallow deer.
Today, New Zealand deer are principally farmed for venison, velvet and trophy production. Deer Genetics NZ has developed expertise across all three areas, with a particular reputation for breeding elite trophy animals.
1980's Importing genetics from UK and Europe
Breeding world class genetics
From its earliest years, DGNZ has focused on breeding deer with outstanding and highly heritable antler characteristics.
During the 1980s, Don helped source and select English & European deer for import into NZ through his work with Dalgety and Wrightsons, bringing valuable new bloodlines into the developing deer industry.
At Apirana Farms near Whakatāne, Don was developing his own herd. In 1984, a six-month-old first-cross English hind fawn he bred sold for $6,000 — reportedly a world-record price for a hind fawn at the time. The fawn combined a wild-caught New Zealand hind, hand-reared by Don, with genetics from England's influential Warnham Deer Park..
Don's breeding programme produced notable sires including Adonis DG, Morpheus DG, Huneric DG and Leonides DG.
DGNZ embraced reproductive technology to accelerate genetic progress. DGNZ introduced artificial insemination in 1999 and embryo transfer in 2008. These technologies allow genetics from selected animals to be used more widely, accelerating genetic progress.
Taking NZ genetics to the world
DGNZ began exporting in 1998, initially sending live deer to South America. As reproductive and export technologies developed, the focus increasingly moved to semen and embryos, making it possible to share DGNZ bloodlines with a much wider international market.
Today, DGNZ produces annual semen and embryo catalogues and continues to build long-standing relationships with breeders throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and other parts of the world.
Don and Anne were strong advocates for building relationships throughout the international deer industry. Over many years, their international travel and connections with breeders, farmers and industry people helped broaden DGNZ’s understanding of overseas markets and breeding programmes. Kelly and the DGNZ team continue to build on those relationships today.
An international impact
The impact of DGNZ genetics can now be seen in herds around the world. Descendants of DGNZ bloodlines have produced outstanding trophy animals across the United States, Canada and South America—from Quebec and Texas to Patagonia—including a 700-inch trophy stag bred in Argentina.
For the Bennett family, seeing animals bred overseas achieve exceptional results is one of the most rewarding parts of the business—and a continuation of Don’s vision of making elite New Zealand deer genetics available to the world.
Velvet & hard antler
Velvet and hard antler have been an important part of the Bennett family’s work for more than 35 years.
In the early years of the industry, Don became one of New Zealand’s largest independent velvet buyers, travelling throughout the North Island - all his clients became his mates.
Don purchased velvet on behalf of a Christchurch-based processor, sometimes buying enormous quantities over a single weekend. On one occasion, he purchased two tonnes of velvet over two days, worth around $700,000. Don remembered those early buying years with great fondness — for him, it was not simply a job, but a lot of fun.
That work continues today through Southern Velvet Buyers, which Kelly operates alongside DGNZ. The business now purchases velvet and hard antler directly from deer farmers throughout New Zealand.
New breeding programmes
While red deer remain at the heart of DGNZ, the family’s interest in distinctive animals and exceptional genetics has continued to broaden.
In 2017, DGNZ purchased the Royal Lochinvine white deer herd, originally developed by Janey Hayes. DGNZ has continued to selectively breed these striking animals, using artificial insemination and embryo transfer to enhance the same qualities sought in its red deer.
Kelly has established a purpose-bred fallow deer programme, with selection focused on antler width, length, palmation and overall appearance. The programme has since achieved success at the 2026 National Rising Stars Hard Antler & Velvet Competition, with DGNZ fallow deer taking first and second place in the three-year-old hard antler class in 2026.
More recently, Kelly established Texas Longhorn NZ, applying his long-held interest in genetics and spectacular horn development to Texas Longhorn cattle.
People at the Heart of DGNZ
DGNZ has always been about more than the deer. It has been built around family, people and relationships.
DGNZ is a place where people are warmly welcomed. As the Bennett children were growing up, visitors from around the world often came to live and work on the farm, while others came to visit, learn and exchange ideas. The Bennetts enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds, sharing their knowledge and forming lasting friendships.
DGNZ regularly welcomes school and tertiary groups, veterinarians, researchers, breeders and other industry visitors. Deer farmers and enthusiasts are welcomed from around the world to see the animals, farming and breeding practices, and to learn and exchange ideas.
DGNZ Today
Don passed away suddenly in April 2021, leaving an extraordinary legacy within DGNZ and the wider deer industry. By then, Don and Kelly had spent decades working side by side, developing genetics, growing the business and navigating the changing deer industry together.
Alongside Don, Anne was an integral part of the business throughout its history and continues to be involved today.
Since Don’s passing, Kelly has continued to build on those foundations while taking the business in new directions of his own.
As studmaster and owner, Kelly leads the breeding direction of DGNZ, develops its international relationships and continues to identify new opportunities for the wider business. He is supported by Farm Manager George Lott, who oversees the day-to-day farming operation and works closely with him to turn breeding plans into results on the ground.
Supported by Felicia, the farm and office team, and the wider Bennett family, Kelly is leading DGNZ into its next generation.
We're always working on something new and interesting.
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