Rakiura (Stewart Island) National Park

The Prime Minister recently announced the formation of a National Park covering a large portion of New Zealand's third biggest island, Stewart Island.

The island is valuable to hunters as one of the two places in New Zealand where Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) may be hunted. Hunting plays a large part in the economy of Stewart Island.

Hunter's reservations about the National Park are based on the National Parks Act, which calls for the extermination of all non-indigenous flora & fauna. There is however a clause in the act that allows for the management of valuable introduced species (as used for the Wapiti in Fiordland National Park).

Press Release:  Hunters have serious concerns regarding the Stewart Island National Park

What can you do?

• The new park will require a management plan. This plan must go through a public consultative process. When it is released, make a submission calling for the management of the Whitetail deer herd for recreational hunting.
• Join NZDA!