Rangitaiki Conservation Area
Alert/Important notice
Duck hunters please note motorised vehicles prohibited.
The wetland area (Te Papa Mire) is home to several species of endangered plant. Many of which are only surviving in very small numbers.
In order to protect these species, motorised vehicles are prohibited from driving through the wetland. Please respect this by reaching shooting areas by foot only as quads or motorbikes can damage this rare habitat. Thank you for your co-operation.
Introduction
The Rangitaiki Conservation Area is large, encompassing 5,110 hectares, and is the only remaining representative of frostflat vegetation which once covered the Kaingaroa Plateau. The wetland Te Papa Mire has very significant wetland values.
Te Papa Maire is a very important
wetland habitat
The southern section towards the Okoeke Stream is taller podocarp and beech forest, along with some manuka scrub, on moderately steep hill country.
There is deer hunting opportunities in the southern area near Okoeke stream, and gamebird hunting on Te Papa mire.
Features
Flora
This is the last large monoao frost flat in the North Island. It's full of rare and endangered plants, insects and animals. Please help to protect it.
In the Rangitaiki wetlands there are plants here that you won't find anywhere else in the world. There is a range of waterfowl on the wetland.
Location
40km east from Taupo Township on State Highway 5.
Getting there
There is currenty one legal access point off State Highway 5. The main access road is about 2.5kms east of the Rangitaiki Tavern.
This access road traverses over private land prior to arriving at destinations within the Rangitaiki Conservation Area.
Activities
Bird and wildlife watching
Dog walking
Recreation
There is gamebird hunting on the lagoon. Shooting on the lagoon is controlled by Eastern Region Fish and Game Council. Fish & Game New Zealand looks after the sports of freshwater fishing and gamebird hunting, and the habitats of sports fish and game birds. People who want to go fishing or hunting must have a licence for each sport.
Dogs are allowed on the Conservation area, but only if you have a permit for them. A permit can be obtained from the Department of Conservation office in Turangi.
You are also required to have a DOC hunting permit to carry a firearm on public conservation land. You can get permits from the Department of Conservation
The department is supportive of recreational hunting in the Rangitaiki Conservation Area but would like the support of waterfowl hunters in protecting the delicate eco-systems around the wetland. Making the effort to walk to maimais is one thing hunters can do to help ensure the eco-system is not damaged.
Plan and prepare
Rangitaiki Conservation Area - key access points
To gain access into the the Rangitaiki Conservation Area you need to cross over private land. The department currently has an agreement with the private land owners, East Taupo Lands Trust to provide this free public access. Please be aware and considerate of the private property you are crossing.
The boundaries are sign posted and it is important that you remain on the main access roads at all times. Your behaviour on private land will affect the continued use of such access in the future.
- Most conservation areas are signposted but boundaries are not always clearly defined.
- Make sure you know where the DOC boundaries are and if in doubt check with the adjoining land owner or the local DOC office.
- Motorbikes, quads and 4WD vehicles are not permitted to be taken off roads within the Rangitaiki Conservation Area.
Guides and commercial tourism providers