About this hunting block

Waikaia Forest Conservation Area covers some 7,000 ha of beech forest. The terrain ranges from river flats to open tops with some steep areas in places. This is a popular recreational area, particularly over the summer months. There are several walking tracks, a basic DOC camping area and a picnic area at Piano Flat.

The Waikaia Forest Conservation Area is an open hunting area. The area is balloted for the 'roar' period. 

Roar ballot

These hunting blocks make up part of the Murihiku ballot group.

Blocks are allocated through a ballot draw and are allocated for a two or three day period.

The balloted period is 15 March to 18 April 2027.

• Applications will only be accepted through the online hunting permit system.
• Applications will open on 1 October 2026.
• Applications close on 31 October 2026.
• Applications are limited to 5 choices.
• You can submit only one application per party.
• All party members must be listed on the application.
• No individual may be part of more than one application.

Successful applicants will be notified automatically following the draw on 4 November 2026. This notification will include a link to confirm the allocated block.

Blocks must be confirmed by 18 November 2026. Permits will be sent automatically following confirmation.

Reallocation of blocks

Any remaining blocks after the initial draw will be automatically reallocated to unsuccessful applicants where possible.

After the reallocation process is completed, any remaining leftover blocks will be made available online on a first-come, first served basis.

Administration fee

At this stage, no administration fee will be charged for the roar ballot. But this fee may be introduced in future ballots to cover the costs associated with administering the roar block system.

Roar block maps

Roar block 1 (PDF, 1403K)
Roar block 2 (PDF, 1420K)
Roar block 3 (PDF, 1570K)
Roar block 4 (PDF, 1496K)
Roar block 5 (PDF, 1520K)

Access

Follow Piano Flat road from Waikaia. Access to some of the blocks cross private land and hunters are required to contact the landowners.

Landholders

Glenaray Station
Mike O’Donoghue +64 3 202 7720

Argyle Station
M Gunton +64 3 202 7735 (After hours)

Maps

NZTopo50 map - CD12

Animals present

Red deer - moderate numbers

Dogs

• Dogs must be registered.
• When crossing private land, dogs are to be on a leash until well into forest and kept under control.
• DOC must be notified regarding missing or lost dogs on conservation land.

Huts

There are no DOC huts available. A number of huts exist on the edge of the forest. These are all on private land and are privately owned.

Special conditions

1. Balloted roar block period Waikaia Forest: This permit does not authorise hunting from the third Monday in March to the third Sunday in April.
2. Waikaia Forest access - if crossing private land hunters are required to contact the landowners. For landowner details see the Waikaia Forest hunting page on the DOC website.
3. Dogs are permitted in Southland Hunting Areas from 1 October to 31 August each year. When crossing private land, dogs are to be on a leash until well into forest and kept under control.

Additional information

If possuming, a permit must be obtained by contacting the DOC Murihiku Office in Invercargill.