Introducing superior genetics into wild herds has been going on for years, for example some estates in Scotland introducing Warnham Park genes etc as far back as the 19th Century. I'm pretty sure the same has occurred all over the world. After all, where did the stags in New Zealand come from in the first place? They darn well should have superior genetics.

As for the rest, culling the weak, maintaining a good herd age structure, keeping overall numbers within the carrying capacity of the ground by culling younger males and importantly females is all just good herd management. The reward should be a sustainable supply of older and good trophy animals. Even on public land, haven't some states made it a requirement to tag out on a female before being allowed a tag for a buck? I personally think that there should be separate seasons for does with multiple tags available for meat hunters, but thats another issue. Maybe it happens already?

As long as supplementary feeding is not done purely to increase the carrying capacity of the ground, but for reasons of good health in leaner times, then I don't see a problem with that either. As for calcium, you will often find that where nutrients are relatively abundant through normal grazing/browsing, as I imagine is the case in NZ looking at the lush vegetation in the photos, then oftentimes animals will not even touch calcium blocks.

We have discussed what is wilderness before on NE and came to the conclusion that in most parts of the world, it no longer exists. Therefore good herd management and hunting opportunities outside fenced enclosures is the best we can expect. Where we do hunt behind fences, I for one search for the largest areas possible, as Mike did on his Namibian hunt.