Ruahine Forest Park - Central East hunting

The main species to hunt in the Ruahine Forest Park is red deer, which is common throughout. This area provides good bush hunting as well as some nice hunting on open tussock tops.

Possums and hares are present but use of .22 and shot guns are prohibited, as is hunting during the hours of darkness. Permits to use traps are available from the local DOC office.

General information

The Ruahine Forest Park covers an area of 94,000 ha which consists of tussock tops, craggy peaks, bush covered ranges and picturesque rivers. It stretches almost 100 km from the Taruarau River in the north to the Manawatu Gorge in the south.

This page covers the area from Makaroro Road end south to Ngamoko Road end.

Access 

Public roads

• North Block Road provides access to Triplex, Sunrise, Top Maropea, Waipawa Forks and Smiths Stream huts. From State Highway 50, turn towards the ranges onto Wakarara Road. After 20 km, turn left into North Block Road and contine to the road end. The last 4 km of this road is through private farmland. Please don’t disturb stock and leave gates as you found them.
• Mill Road provides access to the Tukituki River, Daphne, Howletts and Hinerua huts. From State Highway 50, turn onto Makaretu Road. Take your first left into Mill Road and continue to the roadend.
• Kashmir Road provides quick access to the high country. You can get to Daphne, Awatere, and Longview huts from here. From State Highway 50, turn onto Makaretu Road. Take your first left into Mill Road and travel for 11 km before turning left into Kashmir Road. Follow this to the road end. We recommend 4WD on Kashmir Road due to its steepness.
• Ngamoko Road provides access to Makaretu and Leon Kinvig huts. From the Upper Norsewood Hotel, follow Ngamoko Road to the car park, signposted on the right. 

Access by prior arrangement only

Visitors must contact the landowners to make arrangements for access beforehand.

• From Makaretu Road, you can reach the park boundary from the road end by travelling up the river. Prior permission must be obtained from the landowner; contact details are available from the Ahururi / Napier Office.

Maps

NZTopo50 BL36

Dogs

If you are using dogs to hunt in the Ruahine Forest Park, dogs must be avian aversion certified. There are regenerating populations of kiwi and whio in the area, so it is important that dogs are well controlled. You are responsible for and must be in control of your dogs at all times. Only one dog per visitor is allowed, unless a special permit is obtained for specific activities.   

Huts

• Awatere Hut
• Daphne Hut
• Happy Daze Hut
• Hinerua Hut
• Howletts Hut
• Longview Hut
• Makaretu Hut
• Smiths Stream Hut
• Sunrise Hut
• Tarn Bivvy
• Triplex Hut
• Waikamaka Hut
• Waipawa Forks Hut

Ruahine Deer Working Group

A working group has been established to provide a forum for hunters (both recreational and commercial) and DOC to discuss issues relating to hunting and inform decisions for management of deer in the Ruahine Forest Park.

The group is working towards a common goal of a sustainable hunting resource/game animal population existing in harmony with a resilient ecosystem in the Ruahine Forest Park. If you would like to find out more about the group, email manawatu@doc.govt.nz.

Additional information

DOC are keen to hear of any goat sightings or kills made. Please contact the Palmerston North Office.