Currently there are 31 NZ Deer Farmers' Association life members.
Members are, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, elected by the Association at a General Meeting as life members.
Life Members:
| Life member | History | Region |
| Bob and Frances* Swann | Founding member, DFA Council | SCNO |
| Murray Powell* |
Waikato Chairman, DFA Councillor |
Waikato |
| Sir Peter Elworthy* and Lady Fiona Elworthy | Sir Peter Elworthy*, Founding president DFA 1981 |
SCNO |
| Sir Tim* and Lady Prue Wallis | Founding member DFA 1982 |
Otago |
| Bernard Pinney * and Jenny Pinney | Founding member and NZDFA President 1983 |
Canterbury |
| John and Jan Burrowes | DFA President 1983 |
Kaipara |
| Tom and Gay Williams | Founding DFA member and GIB Chairman 1990 |
Wairarapa |
| Mike and Susie Pattison | DFA CEO and first GIB CEO 1992 |
Central Regions |
| Don* and Jean Gregson | DFA Council and Hon Treasurer 1999 |
Northland |
| Norm* and Helen Parkes* | Founding member, DFA Council 2004 |
Nelson |
| Clive Jermy | DFA President, GIB/DINZ Chairman 2005 |
Canterbury |
| Jeff and Trish Pearse | DFA Council, GIB/DINZ Board 2007 |
SCNO |
| Tony and Julie Pearse | AgResearch, NZDFA Otago Branch, DINZ Executive 2010 |
Otago |
| David and Lynley Stevens | NZDFA President, SAP Chair, Southland Branch Chairman, National Velvet Comp 2012 |
Southland |
| John* and Marie Spiers | NZDFA President, Hawke’s Bay Chairman, DINZ Board 2012 |
Hawks's Bay |
| Patrick and Barbara Boyd | SAP Chair, farmer/industry representative for NVSB, TB Free, P2P 2022 |
SCNO |
|
Murray Matuschka
|
Founding Chair of the NZDFA Taupo branch, chair of the NZDFA conference in Taupo, creator of the Matuschka Award in 1996. | Bay of Plenty |
*Deceased
