Background information & legislation

In February 2001 the Department of Conservation published a policy statement on deer control. The Biosecurity outcome for deer control is:

"The feral range of deer, or species of deer, should not be allowed to expand into new areas, including deer-free regions, catchments and islands, and where possible the existing feral range should be reduced".

The Deer Policy statement also made reference to a number of issues which included:

  • a perimeter fence standard,
  • periodic fence inspections,
  • a Permit to farm deer,
  • and notification to DOC of any deer escaped from farms.

The update of the specifications governing deer farming forms part of the implementation of the Deer Policy Statement.

To make a submission on this, you are encouraged to read the following background information, before making your submission.

Deer in Captivity Review Section B - Background (PDF, 215K)

Deer in Captivity Review Section B - Part Two (PDF, 447K)

Full Review (PDF, 611K)

The above document is divided into twelve sections, however below you will see underlined topics that are available online:

  1. Role of the Department of Conservation
  2. Deer Policy Statement
  3. Update of the specifications
  4. Defining the feral range of deer
  5. Distribution of wild deer in New Zealand
  6. The impact of wild deer on New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity
  7. Deer control programmes managed by the Department of Conservation
  8. Defining where deer farming can occur
  9. Proposed extensions to prohibited areas
    Waitakere Ranges, Hunua Ranges, Coromandel Peninsula, and Kaikoura Island
  10. Perimeter fence standard
  11. References
  12. Definition of terms
  13. Appendices:
    Distribution of wild deer in New Zealand in 1996
    Distribution of wild deer in New Zealand in 2004
    Feral range of deer in New Zealand
    Deer Farming Notice No. 4 1986 (PDF, 94KB)
    Third Schedule, Noxious Animals in Captivity Regulations 1969.

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Learn more

Deer

Royal Forest and Bird Society of New Zealand www.forestandbird.org.nz

New Zealand Deerstalkers Association www.deerstalkers.org.nz

Deer Industry New Zealand www.nzgib.org.nz

Contacts

For further information contact:
Northland Conservancy Office
Phone: +64 9 470 3300
Email: northland@doc.govt.nz
Full office details
Conservation for prosperity. Tiakina te taiao, kia puawai