First Herds of Special Interest Management Plans Open for Public Consultation
Have Your Say by 8th December 2025
Public consultation has now opened on the draft management plans for the first two proposed Herds of Special Interest (HOSI), Fiordland wapiti and sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks.
This marks the next major step in implementing the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill, which NZDA has strongly supported and helped shape through its advocacy.
Public consultation has opened today, giving hunters the opportunity to contribute feedback on how these valued herds should be managed under a modern, science-based framework that recognises hunters as conservation partners.
Why It Matters
For decades, outdated “extermination” clauses and inflexible policies prevented practical game animal management within national parks and forest parks.Following NZDA’s advocacy earlier this year, the Environment Select Committee adopted NZDA’s recommendation to amend the National Parks Act 1980, clearing the legal path for sustainable, hunter-led management of valued game species.
The public consultation now underway is the next step in bringing that reform to life.
If designated, these would become New Zealand’s first two Herds of Special Interest, setting a precedent for future management of tahr, whitetail, and other species under collaborative, evidence-based frameworks.
Have Your Say
NZDA encourages all members and hunters to participate in this consultation.
Submissions are open until 8 December 2025:
- Fiordland Wapiti Herd of Special Interest Draft Management Plan
- Sika Herd of Special Interest Draft Management Plan
What is NZDA Doing
NZDA will be submitting on behalf of all members and recreational hunters, this will be shared in due course. We will continue to engage throughout this process to ensure the legislative intent, recognising hunters as legitimate conservation partners, is carried through to implementation.
What Happens Next
Submissions are reviewed and a summary is posted on the DOC website.
The plan is revised based on submissions, ongoing conversations with Treaty Partners and follow-up engagement with key agencies.The Minister for Hunting and Fishing will then consider whether to formally designate each herd as a Herd of Special Interest.
Join and Support NZDA
Find and join a branch to get involved with promoting and protecting hunting in New Zealand! Search here.
https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/join-and-support-us/branch-finder/