Interacting with wildlife
Apply for a permit to hold, catch, handle or release wildlife.

Key information for applicants

Authorisations to capture birds for falconry are unlikely to be granted because the purpose of the activity is for sport rather than 'the protection and/or control of protected wildlife and game'.

Authorisations for pure disturbance, such as playing bird sounds to attract gannets, to encourage them to establish breeding colonies, or even feeding birds are not something an authorisation can be granted for. DOC will no longer accept these types of applications. Whether or not these activities are an offence will depend on the risk of significant harm and the level of mental agitation it causes the protected wildlife.

An application submitted to the Department to hold or have possession of dead protected wildlife predominately for display purposes or due to personal interest will likely be declined. If you submit an application without a conservation related purpose, it may be rejected and returned to you.

Trading or commercial selling of protected wildlife (including feathers of native wildlife for jewellery) cannot be authorised, as inconsistent with Departmental policy on holding deceased wildlife (or parts therefore). If you submit an application without a conservation related purpose, it may be rejected and returned to you.

To catch, hold, release or kill most wildlife species you must have permission from DOC. This includes the following activities:

Wildlife definitions

Wildlife survey

The purpose of a wildlife survey is research and information gathering. It may include catching and handling of wildlife for the purpose of identification and collecting data or undertaking research. Some surveying/monitoring involves attaching transmitters (for example: bats).

Wildlife surveys should not include applications to kill wildlife.

For lizards, the current best practice for surveys includes catch and handle to accurately identify species (as opposed to identifying without handling).

Lizard survey resource: Herpetofauna: systematic searches

For all other wildlife: Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox: Our work

Wildlife salvage

The purpose of wildlife salvage is to protect wildlife that would otherwise be harmed by human-centred activities, such as construction or vegetation clearance. It should include a catch and handle aspect to relocate wildlife.

It may include an incidental kill aspect. Note that these are carefully assessed by Departmental experts to ensure that the activity, on balance, provides protection of wildlife before being considered for approval.  

Wildlife savage always requires a Species Management Plan (for example: Lizard Management Plan).

Lizard salvage resource: Key principles for lizard salvage and transfer in New Zealand

Wildlife translocation

The purpose of a wildlife translocation is typically to introduce a species to an area where they historically resided, or supplement a wild population.

For more information, see Translocation: moving animals and plants

Pre-application meeting

Applying for a Wildlife Act authorisation for the first time can be complicated. To ensure your application goes smoothly we offer a free pre-application meeting.

We’ll help you to:

  • Understand the authorisation you will need to apply for.
  • Navigate our statutory planning documents, so you can consider whether the activity you wish to undertake is consistent with them.
  • Understand DOC’s responsibility to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which requires consultation with Treaty Partners on most applications. If you wish, DOC can help you contact the local iwi, hapū, and whānau to assess whether your proposed activity will have any cultural effects. Often this consultation can enhance the activity you are considering.

Apply for authorisation

  • Fill in the relevant Wildlife authorisation application form.
  • If your activity involves catching protected wildlife in order to hold them in captivity and/or transferring or releasing wildlife you will also need to fill in a translocation application (available from DOC).
  • If your activity involves holding protected wildlife in captivity there are some extra requirements you must fulfil. See holding wildlife.
  • Email the form(s) along with the relevant documents requested to permissions@doc.govt.nz.

Identify the name and status of the public conservation land you wish to use by checking DOC maps.

Find out more about the process and how to prepare your application.

Permissions application process

Preparing a permission application

Permits for the allocation and use of taoka species in Otago

Note that in Otago, members of Ngāi Tahu can gain access to deceased taonga specimens or material (eg bone, feathers) for traditional purposes by completing the Komiti Taoka Tuku Iho form and are exempt from needing a permit.

If you are not a member of Ngāi Tahu, you must attain a permit under the Wildlife Act.

Get a permit from the Komiti Taoka Tuku Iho to use taoka species in Otago

Timeframe

Complex applications could take a number of months to be processed.

Complex applications are based on the nature and complexity of the proposed activity, whether there are significant environmental effects and the number of locations where the activity is being carried out. Applications that take more time to process include:

  • commercial use of the material (a concession will also be required)
  • taking of any sample (including DNA) for genetic modification purposes, eg the creation of a new organism
  • material being removed from New Zealand (except for purely taxonomic classification purposes)
  • the application or conduct of the activity will generate significant public interest
  • applications covering a large number of locations. 

To get your permit as quickly as possible be specific about the area(s) and species you would like to interact with. A broader permit that covers many regions and / or species takes much longer to process because it requires considerable liaison between district offices, as well as consultation with multiple iwi.  

If your application involves large areas, or the whole of New Zealand, you must also clearly express the conservation benefit or we will request that you narrow your application down.  

After your application is assigned to an advisor for processing, your advisor will contact you to provide you with an estimate of the time required to process your application and let you know if there will be any associated processing fees. 

Fees

Non-commercial applications

Most non-commercial applications will be processed free of charge because they benefit conservation. 

Commercial applications

For standard commercial applications your fee is likely to be $400 plus GST ($460 including GST). 

For complex commercial applications your fee will be $800 plus GST ($920 including GST) (including registered companies). If the application is particularly complex you will be provided with an estimate of processing costs. 

We will invoice you once we have processed your application.

Exporting game birds

To export game bird carcasses, you will need a Wildlife Act Authority. The processing fee for this type of authority is $130 plus GST.

Fill in the Export live-dead wildlife or parts thereof form 9f (PDF, 529K) or (Word, 984K).

Additional applications

If your Wildlife Act authorisation involves:

Protected marine species
Fill in the Protected marine species: application form 9d (PDF, 1,678K) or (Word, 1,072K).

Holding or disposing of dead protected wildlife

If you are in possession of dead native wildlife you must contact DOC for instruction on its disposal. 

This includes whether you have a permit to hold protected wildlife which dies, or you come across protected wildlife which is deceased ie, road kill.

Dead protected wildlife may only be held by persons with the appropriate authority. Possession of dead native wildlife without a permit carries a penalty of up to $100,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months. 

Ongoing obligations

You may need to provide DOC with an annual report of your activities. This will be specified in your authorisation. 

If you would like to access other research that may inform the work you are doing, get in touch. 

Contact us

For more information or assistance with your application, contact the nearest of these DOC offices.