Places to visit

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Plan & prepare
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Plan & prepare

Park management

The Kaweka Forest Park, and the neighbouring Puketitiri Reserves, are managed by DOC. The Hawke’s Bay Area Office in Napier is responsible for the day to day management of the area with staff located at the Puketitiri Field Centre. Hunting permits, hut passes and general information are available from DOC’s offices.

Safety

This is a mountainous area. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, cloud whiteouts and high winds on the ranges and rapidly rising water levels in rivers and streams. The Puketitiri area is in the rain shadow of the Kaweka Ranges.

Firearms safety

The use of shotguns, shotgun-rifle combos, .22 calibre and rim fire firearms is prohibited on public conservation land unless stated otherwise.

Hunters will be well aware of firearms safety and safe hunting practice. However incidents do happen even to the most experienced hunters.

Hunters must follow every part of the Arms Code, and know and comply with its seven basic rules at all times:

Treat every firearm as loaded
Always point firearms in a safe direction
Load a firearm only when ready to fire
Identify your target beyond all doubt
Check your firing zone
Store firearms and ammunition safely
Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms.

When hunting with a companion, cease hunting if visual contact with that companion is lost and do not resume hunting until visual contact has been made and confirmed.

A wise hunter will wear high visibility clothing that contrasts with the environment including game in that environment.

Permits

A hunting permit is required for entry into the Kaweka Forest Park with firearms and/or dogs and these can be obtained from the Hawke's Bay Area Office.

An information sheet will be forwarded with your permit and will cover any pesticide control operations in the area along with other current activities that may be pertinent to your hunting.

Hunting permits are issued for the following periods:

1 July - 31 October
1 November - 28 February
1 March - 30 June

With each permit you are given a hunter diary. To receive a permit for the next period, please fill this in with information on your hunting and where you require a permit for next time. By folding the diary you can send it back to us “Freepost” and we will issue you a new one.

Please note that no shotguns or .22 calibre rifles are allowed on land administered by the Department.

Details required when applying for a permit are:

Name
Address
Telephone number
Details of breed of dog and registration number.

Fires

Extreme fire conditions can exist during summer. The park is a restricted fire area, which means permits to light fires are required all year round.

Dogs

Only registered, avian aversion certified hunting dogs, Guide dogs, companion dogs (certified by the Top Dog Companion Trust) and dogs used for special services (including conservation management activities) are permitted in the park. All other dogs are banned.