Ruahine Forest Park - South East

The main species to hunt in the southern Ruahine Forest Park is red deer, which is common throughout. Some goats can be found in the southern end of the ranges in low numbers. Occasionally, fallow deer may be found in the outlying land parcels.

Note the riverbed on this side of the road is either privately owned or under private lease and is not covered by any DOC permit. Hunting is mainly bush-hunting with open slips scattered throughout. 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 south-east of the Tamaki headwaters.

Access 

Public roads

• Tamaki West Road provides access to Stanfield, Cattle Creek and the A-Frame (Traverse) huts. From State Highway 2 in Dannevirke, turn left into Ruahine Street, which leads into Umutaoroa Road. At the intersection, turn left onto Top Grass Road and follow this for 2.3 km. Turn right onto Tamaki West Road and follow this to the car park.
• Kumeti Road provides access to Kiritaki Hut. South of Dannevirke, turn into Maharahara Road and take the next right onto Kumeti Road. Follow this to the car park at the road end.
• Fairbrothers Road provides access to Kiritaki Hut. From State Highway 2, just north of the old Oringi freezing works, turn onto Kiritaki Road. Cross Top Grass Road into Fairbrothers Road. Follow the poled route from the car park to the park boundary.
• Coppermine Road provides access to the Ruahine Forest Park, near Woodville. From State Highway 2, turn north onto Pinfold Road. Turn left into Coppermine Road.
• Wharite Road provides access to the Wharite Peak transmitter on the southern tip of the Ruahines. It is a narrow gravel road off Woodlands Road near Woodville. There are opportunities to hunt anywhere off the road inside the park or off tracks to Coppermine Road.

Maps

NZTopo50 BL36, and BM35

Dogs

If you are using dogs to hunt in the Ruahine Forest Park, they 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

Stanfield 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.