Consultations

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Rusa Deer

Rusa deer. Photo: Geoff Asher, AgResearch Limited.
Rusa deer

(Cervus timorensis) The main wild Rusa deer population is found south-west of Rotorua. They inhabit indigenous and exotic forest, scrub and farmland. Rusa are held on safari parks/game estates.

Sika Deer

Sika deer. Photo: Geoff Asher, AgResearch Limited.
Sika deer

(Cervus nippon) In the wild sika deer are largely contained within a single near-contiguous population in a largely forested area in the central North Island. They are held on game estates/safari parks. Sika deer are ranked number 1 in terms of potential threat to conservation values. Sika are secretive, elusive, adaptable and the most difficult deer species to hunt.

Pere David’s deer

Pere David’s deer. Photo: Tony Pearse.
Pere David’s deer

(Elaphurus davidiensis) No wild population of Pere David’s deer exists in New Zealand. Pere David’s deer were imported as part of a research trial on herd improvement, but the trial did not yield positive results. The remaining animals, and those which have subsequently been bred, are held on a private station in the South Island.

White-tailed deer

White-tailed deer.
White-tailed deer

(Odocoileus virginianus) The two established populations of wild White-tailed deer in New Zealand are found at Lake Wakatipu and on Stewart Island. They inhabit indigenous forests, river flats and coastal areas. White-tailed deer are held on safari parks/game estates.

Fallow deer

Fallow deer.
Fallow deer

(Dama dama) Historically, in New Zealand, there have been 13 discrete wild fallow deer populations mostly occupying small forested areas surrounded by private farmland. Currently, fallow are the second most widespread wild deer species in New Zealand, and the second most widely farmed deer species, primarily for venison and trophy animals. They are held on game estates and safari parks. Fallow deer are ranked number 2 in terms of potential threat to conservation values.

Sambar deer

Sambar deer.
Sambar deer

(Cervus unicolor) The two main populations of wild Sambar deer in New Zealand are found in the Manawatu/Wanganui region and the Bay of Plenty region. They occupy a variety of habitats from indigenous and exotic forests to wetlands and farmland. Sambar deer are held on safari parks/game estates.

Red deer

Red deer. Photo: Rod Morris.
Red deer

(Cervus elaphus scoticus) Red deer are the most widespread wild deer species in NZ occupying approximately 46% of New Zealand’s land area. They occupy a range of habitats including all the major indigenous and exotic forest types, native scrublands and grasslands. Red deer are the most widely farmed deer species, primarily for velvet and venison. They are ranked number 3 in terms of potential threat to conservation values.

Wapiti Deer

Wapiti deer. Photo: Rod Morris.
Wapiti deer

(Cervus elaphus nelsoni) The range indicated for the Wapiti population in Fiordland should be considered as ‘the area within which red deer x wapiti hybrids occur’ since hybridisation with red deer over the last 70 years has almost certainly eliminated any pure-bred wapiti from the wild. Wapiti are held on farms and are interbred with red deer on farms as part of herd improvement.

Black-tailed deer

Black-tailed deer. Photo: Rob Suisted.
Black-tailed deer

(Odocoileus hemionus) Black-tailed deer are currently listed in the Deer Farming Notice as a species which can be farmed in New Zealand There are however no known wild or captive populations of Black-tailed deer in New Zealand.