Project Frontline – Serving Those Who Serve

Project Frontline is a practical expression of support for the people who protect Southland communities in times of emergency.

Mission

Project Frontline is Deer to Care’s dedicated initiative supporting Southland Emergency Services personnel through the provision of high-quality, wild-harvested venison.

Emergency service volunteers and frontline responders give their time, energy, and skills to protect others, often while balancing family, work, and community responsibilities. Project Frontline exists to give something practical back — nutritious kai that supports individuals, families, and station communities.

This project reflects Deer to Care’s wider mission: transforming donated wild game into valuable protein that strengthens communities, reduces waste, and honours service.

How Support Is Provided

Wild-harvested deer are donated and professionally processed into safe, high-quality venison products.
Distribution is coordinated locally through trusted emergency service units.
Support is provided at no cost to recipients, within capacity.

Project Frontline supports, where capacity allows:

  • Southland Fire and Emergency New Zealand

  • Volunteer firefighters

  • Fire Brigade Gold Star recipients’ widows and widowers

  • St John serving and retired service personnel

  • Coastguard volunteers and personnel

  • Retired Fisheries Officers

  • Emergency response personnel

  • Station community initiatives

  • Emergency service families

How People Are Referred or Nominated

Referrals and nominations are made through the individual’s local Fire and Emergency New Zealand brigade, St John unit, Coastguard unit, or affiliated emergency service organisation.

Individuals do not need to self-apply. Local units know their people best, and Deer to Care will work directly with those units to confirm details and coordinate support.

Southland Emergency Services Teams

  • Pukerau

    A rural community near Gore supporting farming and lifestyle properties. The local Emergency Services provides essential coverage across a wide rural area where local turnout is critical.

  • Riverton

    Also known as Aparima, Riverton is one of Southland’s oldest settlements. The Emergency Services serves a coastal community with fishing, farming, and tourism activity, responding to both local and surrounding rural incidents.

  • Winton

    A key service town for central Southland. The Emergency Services supports the township and surrounding rural areas, including road and farm-related incidents.

  • Edendale

    A historic dairy and farming centre. Volunteers respond across a broad rural catchment, often attending agricultural, industrial, and transport-related emergencies.

  • Dipton

    A small rural township west of Gore. Emergency Services plays a vital role providing immediate response where distance to larger centres can delay support.

  • Mossburn

    A farming hub near the Fiordland corridor. The Emergency Services covers extensive rural areas and frequently supports neighbouring communities during larger incidents.

  • Browns

    A rural locality with a strong community service culture. Local volunteers provide essential fire and emergency response for farms and homes across the district.

  • Wyndham

    An eastern Southland town surrounded by productive farmland. The Emergency Services supports local emergencies and key transport routes through the area.

  • Lumsden

    A historic junction town linking Southland and Central Otago. The Emergency Services responds to township incidents and rural emergencies, including a high number of road-related callouts.

  • Ohai

    A western Southland community shaped by mining and agriculture. The Emergency Services supports township safety and provides coverage for surrounding rural and forestry areas.

  • Hedgehope

    A small farming district northeast of Gore. The Emergency Services supports rural properties and local residents, where community-based response is essential.

  • Otautau

    A western Southland service town surrounded by farmland. The Emergency Services provides reliable local coverage and supports neighbouring districts when required.

  • Tuatapere

    A remote community near Fiordland access routes. The Emergency Services operates in challenging terrain and distances, supporting both local and regional response needs.

  • Milford

    A remote, high-visitation area with unique environmental challenges. Local emergency response capability is vital due to weather, terrain, and access constraints.

  • Orepuki

    A small coastal settlement with a strong sense of resilience. The Emergency Services supports a dispersed community and coastal corridor response.

  • Riversdale

    A farming and forestry community with significant highway exposure. The Emergency Services responds to township incidents and rural emergencies, including road accidents.

  • Waikawa

    A coastal and rural community near the Catlins. Volunteers cover farms, coastal access routes, and surrounding rural properties.

  • Oban (Rakiura / Stewart Island)

    An isolated island community where local response is critical. The Emergency Services operates with limited access and resources, making community capability essential.

  • Waikaia

    A historic rural settlement with gold-mining roots. The Emergency Services continues a long tradition of community service, supporting farms and township safety.

  • Papatowai

    A small Catlins locality with seasonal visitor peaks. Local emergency response is important in a remote coastal environment with limited nearby services.