Draft herd management plan for proposed sika deer Herd of Special Interest
Have your say on the future of sika deer management in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka forest parks and Kaweka Conservation Area. Submissions closed 8 December 2025.

Have your say on a draft plan to manage sika deer as a potential Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka forest parks and Kaweka Conservation Area.

The Sika Herd of Special Interest Draft Herd Management Plan (the Plan) seeks to manage deer numbers at a level that:

  • enhances the recreational hunting experience, including the opportunity to hunt healthier animals; and
  • improves natural biodiversity and forest regeneration.

The Plan includes ways to manage recreational hunting, build partnerships and community stewardship, carry out professional deer control and meat recovery, and track social and environmental impacts.

The Plan outlines a new approach to managing deer under the Game Animal Council Act 2013 – one that supports hunting while ensuring conservation values are still protected.

Download and read the Plan (PDF, 2,040K)

Download and read the consultation and support document (PDF, 1,785K)

HOSI process

For more information on the Sika deer proposal for a Herd of Special Interest

This includes information on sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka forest parks and Kaweka Conservation Area, current sika deer management, and an overview of the HOSI process and timeline.

Submissions

Submissions closed 8 December 2025.

Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. 

Submissions received and summary report

A total of 245 submissions were received. 

Read the summary of submissions report (PDF, 569K)

Full submissions received:

How to find a submission

Use the contents page of the full submissions record to locate a specific submitter. The page number for each submission appears in the column to the right of the submitter’s name. Navigate to that page to view the submission in the document.

If an individual submission includes an attachment or supporting documents, this is stated in the full submissions record document. The supporting documents and submission attachments can be found in relevant attachments documents (organised above by submitters last name).

Redactions of contact details, and other private information, have been made in accordance with Department policy and relevant legislation.

What happens next

  • Options will be developed to revise the draft plan based on submissions, ongoing conversations with Treaty partners and follow up engagement with key agencies, as appropriate
  • The Minister for Hunting and Fishing will consider the feedback and updates before making any decisions on the Plan and deciding whether to designate the Sika Herd of Special Interest.

For the latest process timeline, see Sika deer proposal for a Herd of Special Interest

Contact

If you have any questions about the submission process, you can contact the DOC Sika HOSI Project Team: sikahosihmp@doc.govt.nz