This application is notified under section 17SC of the Conservation Act 1987.
The Minister of Conservation has received an application for a concession to engage in wild animal recovery operations (WARO), and other activities, for a term of 10 years from:
Application details
Applicant: Fiordland Wapiti Foundation
Location of proposed activity: Wapiti Blocks (including the Glaisnock Wilderness Area) and a buffer area within the Murchison Mountains Takahē Specially Protected Area, in Fiordland National Park, west of lake Te Anau.
Permission type: WARO concession
Map reference: X:1170000 Y: 5000000
Summary of proposal: The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation manages the wapiti herd and undertakes conservation work in part of Fiordland National Park (known as the "Wapiti Area") in accordance with a community agreement with DOC under section 53 of the Conservation Act. The Foundation also controls deer numbers in an adjoining 'buffer' over part of the Murchison Mountains Takahē Specially Protected Area to prevent deer spread and incursion.
Conservation work does not generally require a concession. However, the:
- contracting of experienced helicopter operators to locate, shoot and recover deer for consumption;
- delivery of the annual wapiti ballot and use of fees;
- filming and advocacy to promote the Foundation's activities;
- scientific research through the capture and release of deer; and
- use of drones in support of the above
would be best formalised through a comprehensive concession, particularly where commercially competitive national WARO is not permitted. It is these five concession activities on which public feedback is sought.
Application documents:
How to make a submission
Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.
Submissions closed at 5 pm on 14 September 2026.
1. Prepare your submission
Record what you think in the submission form.
2. Send us your submission
Send your submission by email or post. You'll get a confirmation email or letter when a submission has been received.
Email: DNsubmissions@doc.govt.nz
Subject Line: Submission on the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation Application – 125891-WARS
Post:
Director-General
Department of Conservation
Te Anau District Office
1 Lakefront Drive
Te Anau 9600
Attention: Olivia Graham, Senior Permissions Advisor
Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.
What happens next
After submissions close:
- DOC will analyse and consider all submissions.
- A hearing will be held if there have been requests to be heard by the Director-General. If you have expressed an interest in presenting your submission at a hearing, you'll be contacted by DOC regarding this.
- DOC will analyse and consider information raised at the hearing if a hearing occurred.
- DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
- The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.
Hearing details
If a hearing is required, you will be notified of a hearing date.
Decision
No details at this point.
Contact
If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact Olivia Graham, Senior Permissions Advisor. Email: DNsubmissions@doc.govt.nz