Fiordland wapiti Herd of Special Interest: Managing introduced wild animals

The Minister for Hunting and Fishing has designated Fiordland wapiti deer as New Zealand’s first Herd of Special Interest (HOSI).

This introduces a structured approach to managing wapiti for hunting within a defined area of Fiordland National Park, guided by a herd management plan with clear ecological targets, monitoring, and regular review.

The approach builds on many years of herd management led by the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, working closely with DOC.

It ensures conservation values are protected while supporting the long-term recovery of browsed native plants and enhancing recreational hunting experiences.

The Minister's notice designating the HOSI will be available here shortly, following publication in the New Zealand Gazette.

How the herd will be managed

Management is driven by the herd management plan and delivered through annual operational planning.

Fiordland Wapiti Herd of Special Interest Herd Management Plan (PDF, 2,951K)

On-the-ground delivery will be led by the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, working closely with DOC and seeking increased opportunities for iwi and hapū involvement. Management actions will be informed by monitoring data and regularly reviewed.

Importantly:

the designation does not seek to increase deer numbers
management will focus on maintaining herd quality while reducing browsing impacts on native vegetation
the Minister retains overall authority for the HOSI and can amend or remove the designation if required.

What this means for visitors and hunters

Most people will see very little immediate change on the ground. Over time, management will adapt to support both a high-quality hunting experience and reduce impacts on native vegetation.

What will change

A new approach to manage the herd for hunting quality.
Improved monitoring of vegetation condition and herd quality to guide decisions.
Defined roles for DOC and delivery partners, including the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation.

What won’t change

Key aspects of the current approach will remain the same. Conservation protections and legislative requirements will continue to apply, and DOC will retain its role in managing public conservation land. Public access will also continue.

Hunting will still be managed through a permit system similar to the current one. Ballots will continue to be used during peak hunting periods, such as the bugle season, to help manage demand. New Zealand will also continue to uphold its responsibility to protect World Heritage values.

The designation will formally take effect from the date hunting conditions for the Fiordland Wapiti Herd of Special Interest are first set in the New Zealand Gazette. This is expected to be in August 2026, to coincide with the 2026/7 wapiti ballot (the random draw for bugle season access).

World Heritage values

Fiordland National Park is part of the Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

The HOSI designation:

does not change New Zealand’s obligations to protect World Heritage values
is supported by an assessment showing the approach is likely to improve ecological outcomes compared to current and unmanaged areas
requires ongoing active management and monitoring to reduce browsing impacts on native ecosystems.

Background

The designation follows a formal statutory process under the Game Animal Council Act 2013, including:

engagement with Treaty partners and relevant agencies and organisations
development of and public consultation on a draft Herd Management Plan (November–December 2025), with 352 submissions received
review and refinement of the Herd Management Plan to reflect submissions, as appropriate
final decisions by the Minister.

The Fiordland Wapiti Herd of Special Interest area

Located within Fiordland National Park, the Wapiti Area covers approximately 190,700 hectares. The herd management plan includes a range of maps identifying the Fiordland Wapiti Area. Map of the Wapiti HOSI area (JPG, 1,617K)

Monitoring and reporting

Monitoring and reporting on vegetation condition and hunting outcomes will inform ongoing management and annual planning.

Contact

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