Sika deer proposal for a Herd of Special Interest

The Minister for Hunting and Fishing has decided to explore designating a sika deer Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka forest parks and Kaweka Conservation Area.

Draft herd management plan consultation

The Sika Herd of Special Interest Draft Herd Management Plan is now open for submissions through to 8 December 2025.

Read the Plan and make a submission

In March 2025, the Central North Island Sika Foundation, supported by the Game Animal Council, submitted a proposal for a Sika Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) to the Hunting and Fishing Minister under the Game Animal Council Act 2013. Proposal summary: Sika herd of special interest proposal summary (PDF, 1,643K)

The consultation on the Sika Herd of Special Interest Draft Herd Management Plan (the Plan) is part of the wider process for the Minister to consider designating sika deer in the Kaweka and Kaimanawa forest parks and Kaweka Conservation Area as a HOSI.

A similar process is also underway to potentially designate a wapiti deer HOSI in Fiordland National Park. More information on the process is available at Wapiti deer proposal for a Herd of Special Interest.

There are currently no HOSI designated in New Zealand. Find more information on Herds of Special Interest and how they are established

What happens now

DOC has been working with the Minister, Treaty partners, Game Animal Council, Sika Foundation and key agencies to progress this work.

This has involved targeted consultation and engagement with Treaty partners and statutory stakeholders - including the Ministry for Primary Industries, Game Animal Council, Department of Conservation, New Zealand Conservation Authority and relevant regional councils and conservation boards.

Informed by the targeted consultation and engagement, DOC has developed the Plan on behalf of the Minister for Hunting and Fishing. The Plan will be open for submissions from 10 November through to 8 December 2025.

Designation process and timeline

April 2025, onwards

Initial conversations with Treaty Partners and engagement with key agencies, including as part of the development of the plan.
Led by DOC on behalf of the Minister.

September – October 2025

Minister reviews the plan and associated materials.
Decides whether to proceed to public submissions stage.

10 November – 8 December 2025

Draft HMP available for public submissions and feedback.

December 2025 – March 2026

Submissions are reviewed and a summary is posted on the DOC website.
The plan is revised based on submissions, ongoing conversations with Treaty Partners and follow-up engagement with key agencies.

April – June 2026

Revised plan and supporting materials are considered and updated by the Minister.
Final decisions are made on whether to approve the plan and designate the HOSI.

June 2026

HOSI designation is completed.
Announcements are made in the Gazette and media.

July 2026 onwards

HOSI operations begin.
HMP reviewed every five years.

Sika deer in Kaimanawa and Kaweka forest parks

Both Kaimanawa and Kaweka forest parks currently have high numbers of sika deer, risking harm to forest structure. Sika deer graze mountain beech seedlings, and a high population of deer can prevent replacement of mature trees as they die off. Gaps in the canopy expand without replacement trees, and over time the forest is converted to low scrubland.

The area around the Kaimanawa and Kaweka forest parks in the Central North Island is the only place in the southern hemisphere where sika deer can be legally hunted on public land. Sika are popular with hunters – particularly during the roar period that runs from late March to early May – given their unique calls and behaviours. 

The sika deer originated in Japan and have been present in New Zealand for over 100 years. The Kaimanawa/Kaweka herd traces its origins back to the release of six animals gifted by the Duke of Bedford. 

Read more about sika deer hunting and sika deer hunting in Kaweka Forest Park.  

Current sika deer management

In Kaimanawa Forest, DOC contributed funding to support a Jobs for Nature project with Sika Foundation to manage deer in the Kaimanawa Remote Experience Zone (REZ), which is approximately 16,000 hectares.

In the past three years through the Sika Foundation Adaptive Deer Management and Research Plan, over 1,000 deer have been removed from the REZ to reduce browsing pressure on forest vegetation. DOC continues to support the foundation to manage sika deer and monitor forest health.

Contact

If you have any questions you can contact: sikaHOSIHMP@doc.govt.nz