Grand Prix of New-Zealand - Compak Sporting - New Zealand (November 2022)

The Hutt Valley Clay Target Club (HVCTC), located just 30 minutes from central Wellington, is the largest and most active clay target shooting facility in the region. Spread across 63 scenic acres in Whitemans Valley, this premier club is perfectly designed to cater to everyone, from absolute beginners trying the sport for the first time to elite competitive athletes. A key standout feature of the club is its unique microclimate and natural terrain; the frequent valley winds create highly unpredictable target trajectories, offering an exceptional, challenging environment for shooters to hone their reaction speeds and simulate real hunting conditions.

The club serves as a major hub for both social and competitive shooting, regularly hosting a dense calendar of regional and national tournaments. Key competitions held at the venue include the Sporting Clays Grand Prix, the North Island South Zone (NISZ) championships for Sporting and ISSF Trap, as well as regular club championships across a variety of disciplines. The facility also accommodates specialized sub-gauge events and has hosted the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship.

HVCTC boasts a massive, premium infrastructure that supports an impressive 26 shooting areas, making it possible to practice all major global shooting disciplines in one location. The facility's key features include:

• 6 Down The Line (DTL) fields and 4 Skeet fields.

• 1 Olympic Trench field, 2 Ball Trap fields, and 2 Double Rise fields.

• 1 permanent 5-stand Compak field and up to 10 variable Sporting Clay fields.

• A fully equipped clubhouse featuring a cafeteria, barista-made coffee, a licensed bar (open during major events), and an on-site ammunition store.

The club places a strong emphasis on community growth and education through its comprehensive training programs and event-hosting capabilities. "Novice Coaching" sessions are held regularly, allowing unlicensed beginners to safely learn the basics of firearms safety and handling with all equipment—including shotguns and ammunition—provided for a modest fee. Furthermore, HVCTC offers tailored corporate and team-building packages, allowing private groups to enjoy customized shooting sessions under the strict supervision of senior, licensed club members.

Thanks to its versatile setup, the club appeals to a wide variety of target audiences:

• Novices: Enjoy a barrier-free entry into the sport through coaching clinics without the immediate need for a firearms license.

• Athletes: Benefit from Olympic-standard facilities (like Trench and Skeet) to prepare for international qualifications.

• Corporate Teams: Have access to unique, custom team-building events with full equipment and instruction provided.

• Families: Can take advantage of a safe, welcoming environment that offers affordable junior and family membership rates.

Opening Hours:

• Wednesday – Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00 (Hours are generally dictated by the specific competition and training calendar for the day).

• Monday – Tuesday: Closed for regular shooting (Corporate events and private group sessions can be accommodated on custom days and times by special arrangement).