Have You Got Game?
Hunting in New Zealand is a way of getting outdoors surrounded by stunning scenery and helping with the conservation effort in New Zealand. When we pesky humans started migrating to New Zealand, we introduced a whole bunch of species that are a pest to the natural ecological environment, as well as farming and forestry. With no natural predators to these game species in New Zealand, there is a vast amount of game to hunt in New Zealand.
Hunting independently in New Zealand needs to be planned well in advance of arrival, as you need a visitor’s firearms license before you can apply for the New Zealand hunting licenses. So the best option for visitors who want to try a spot of hunting is to go with a qualified New Zealand license holder such as a specialised hunting tour. For those on a working holiday, this could mean your WWOOFing host, as hunting is a popular sport among farmers in New Zealand.
How to Get into Hunting in New Zealand
There are a few ways you can learn how to hunt or enjoy a hunting experience in New Zealand as an overseas visitor.
- Use a commercial hunting guide – Although guided big game hunting is ridiculously expensive, you can find some cheaper options from locals who are more into the conservation side of hunting rather than making a big buck.
- Join a local hunting club – For those staying in New Zealand on a working holiday or an extended break, settle in a town or city in New Zealand and look up the local hunting clubs online. Chances are you will meet experienced hunters who can teach you some skills.
- Do some WWOOFing – Again, if you are here on a working holiday, do some work for accommodation on a farm. Check out WWOOFing profiles that mention hunting and let your WWOOFing hosts know that you are easer to learn. Check out more about WWOOFing at Everything You Need to Know About WWOOFing in New Zealand
© pxhereGame Species in New Zealand
Here’s a list of the main species that you can hunt in New Zealand.
- Deer
- Tahr
- Pigs
- Chamois
- Wallaby
- Possums
- Rabbits
- Duck
- Geese
- Pheasants
© NZPocketGuide.comThe Best North Island Hunting Locations
Manawatu-Whanganui
You can find some of the most remote hunting locations in the North Island’s forested Manawatu-Whanganui region. Fallow deer, wild pigs and goats can be hunted with Remote Adventures near Waitotara. Delve further in the Whanganui National Parktohunt pig, deer and goat in the backpacker-style farm stay of Blue Duck Station. Learn more about the area in Manawatu and Whanganui destination categories.
Wellington
The Wairarapa District of Wellington holds three forest parks ideal for hunting: Tararua, Rimutaka and Aorangi. You can hunt on some stunning coastal properties for deer with Wildside Walks.
© PxhereThe Best South Island Hunting Locations
Nelson/Tasman
Hunt red deer, tahr, chamois, fallow, goats and pigs in the Nelson Lakes National Park. There’s also the opportunity to hunt small game like ducks, black swan, geese, pukeko, pigeons, quail, rabbits, hares and possums. Strike Adventures has guided tours in the area.
Canterbury
There are a few farms in the Canterbury region offering hunting trips, such as Kaiwarua Station and Caberfeidh Farms guiding in the aptly-named Hunter Hills. Also, try Rata Peaks Station, hunting in theHakatere Conservation Park and Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park for red deer, tahr, goats and rams.
Otago + Southland
The Hawea Conservation Park has an abundance of game. There are local hunting guides to take to you areas of red deer, chamois and tahr. Delve into the Fiordland National Park from Te Anau via jet boat with FishJet for guided fishing and hunting.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
