Competition dates
Hunters: 1 August 2026 – 26 November 2026
Landowners: 10 June 2026 – 26 November 2026
Every eligible hunt contributes to a nationwide effort to reduce wild goat numbers.
Enter the competition
Hunters
You don't need to register. To enter:
- Hunt wild goats between 1 August and 26 November 2026
- Follow the rules and hunt safely, legally and ethically
- Have the required permits or landowner permission
- Take eligible goat heads or tails to an official entry location.
Locations have changed from previous years, so check before you go.
Note: Entry locations will be available by 1 August 2026.
Landowners
Register your interest to allow permitted hunting on your land.
You'll be connected with vetted NZDA members who:
-
- hold full public liability insurance
- use a standard access agreement (PDF, 736K)
- prioritise safety and respectful land use
What this competition is about
This competition is about getting out there and giving back.
Wild goats can cause real damage when numbers are left unchecked. They put pressure on landscapes and ecosystems.
Hunters and landowners already help keep numbers down and protect the land. This competition recognises and supports that effort.
Every eligible hunt makes a difference.
Doing your bit – naturing
You don't need a name for it. It's just what you do.
Looking after the place. Keeping numbers down. Keeping an eye out.
It's not just wild goats. It includes:
- trapping predators
- removing wilding pines
- checking and cleaning your gear so you don't spread weeds.
It all helps.
You're already naturing.
If you're keen to pick up a few more ways to chip in: Do your bit for nature
2026 entry locations
Find an entry location near you:
Enter the National Goat Hunting Competition at any of the recording points below. DOC office recording points accept entries during office hours and Hunting & Fishing stores during store hours.
Wild goat heads can only be entered at a NZDA recording point and the Dunedin Hunting & Fishing store.
Entry locations by region:
- Northland
- Auckland
- Waikato
- Bay of Plenty
- Gisborne
- Hawke's Bay
- Taranaki
- Whanganui/Manawatu
- Wellington
- Tasman/Marlborough
- West Coast
- Canterbury
- Otago
- Southland
Northland
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Dargaville – Hunting & Fishing | 92 Victoria Street, Dargaville 0310 |
| Kaitaia – Hunting & Fishing | 11 Northpark Drive, Kaitaia 0410 |
| Kaitaia – DOC | 25 Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia 0410 |
| Kerikeri – Hunting & Fishing | 23–25 Kerikeri Inlet Road, Kerikeri 0230 |
| Northland NZDA branch |
Auckland
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Warkworth – Hunting & Fishing | Kowhai Falls Shopping Centre 8/68 Woodcocks Road, Warkworth 0910 |
| Westgate – Hunting & Fishing | 7 Cabernet Crescent, Westgate, North 0614 |
| North Shore – Hunting & Fishing | 1 Holder Place, Rosedale, Auckland 0632 |
| Botany – Hunting & Fishing | 5 Te Koha Road, East Tamaki, Manukau 2013 |
| Franklin – Hunting & Fishing | Unit C, 182–196 Manukau Road, Pukekohe Mega Centre, Pukekohe |
| North Auckland NZDA branch | |
| Auckland NZDA branch |
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Thames Valley NZDA branch | |
| Rotorua – Hunting & Fishing | 101 Morrison Road, Komata 3674, Paeroa |
| Whakatāne – Hunting & Fishing | 129 Commerce Street, Whakatāne, Whakatāne 3120 |
| Whakatāne - DOC | 9 Louvain Street, Whakatane 3120 |
| Tauranga – Hunting & Fishing | 65 Chapel Street, Bay Central, Tauranga 3110 |
Gisborne
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Gisborne – Hunting & Fishing | 310 Gladstone Road, Gisborne 4010 |
Hawke's Bay
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Napier – Hunting & Fishing | 170/180 Taradale Road, Pirimai, Napier 4112 |
| Napier NZDA branch | |
| Hastings NZDA branch |
Taranaki
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Taranaki – Hunting & Fishing | 35 Ocean View Parade, Moturoa, New Plymouth 4310 |
| Taranaki Valley – Hunting & Fishing | Valley Mega Centre, 2/20 Rifle Range Road, Waiwhakaiho, New Plymouth 4312 |
| North Taranaki NZDA branch |
Whanganui/Manawatu
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Whanganui – Hunting & Fishing | 64 Carlton Ave, State Highway 3, Whanganui |
| Central King Country NZDA branch | |
| Manawatu - Hunting & Fishing | 35 Grey Street, Palmerston North Central 4410 |
| Dannevirke - Hunting & Fishing | 145 High Street, Manawatu, Dannevirke |
Wellington
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Ōtaki – Hunting & Fishing | Waikanae Community Centre - 28-32 Utauta Street, Waikanae |
| Kapiti NZDA branch | |
| Hutt Valley – Hunting & Fishing | 3 Collina Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington |
| Hutt Valley NZDA branch | |
| Wairarapa – Hunting & Fishing | 319 Ngaumutawa Road, Solway, Masterton 5180 |
| Wellington NZDA branch |
Tasman/Marlborough
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Nelson – Hunting & Fishing | 99 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook, Nelson 7011 |
| Nelson NZDA branch | |
| Marlborough – Hunting & Fishing | 46 Main Street, Blenheim Central, Blenheim 7201 |
| Golden Bay NZDA branch | |
| Marlborough NZDA branch |
Details to come |
| South Marlborough (Renwick) – DOC | 22 Gee Street, Renwick 7204 |
West Coast
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Westport – DOC | 72 Russell Street, Westport 7825 |
| Arthur's Pass – DOC | 104 West Coast Road, Arthur's Pass Village 7875 |
| Hokitika – DOC | 10 Sewell Street, Hokitika 7810 |
| West Coast NZDA branch | |
| Paparoa National Park – DOC | 4294 Coast Road Punakaiki, RD1 Runanga, West Coast 7873 |
| Māwhera/Greymouth Office - DOC | 17 High Street, Greymouth 7805 |
Canterbury
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Kaikōura – Hunting & Fishing | Harakeke Shopping Centre, 130 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7300 |
| Christchurch (Ballingers) – Hunting & Fishing | 75 Clarence Street, Addington, Christchurch 8011 |
| North Canterbury – Hunting & Fishing | 343B Flaxton Road, Rangiora 7440 |
| North Canterbury NZDA branch | |
| Ashburton – Hunting & Fishing | 393 West Street, Allenton, Ashburton 7700 |
| Timaru – Hunting & Fishing | The Landings Unit 1/50 Theodosia Street, Central, Timaru 7910 |
Otago
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Mt Aspiring – DOC | 1 Ballantyne Road, Wānaka 9305 |
| Upper Clutha NZDA branch | |
| Central Otago – Hunting & Fishing | 7 Iles Street, Cromwell 9310 |
| Queenstown – Hunting & Fishing | Building 7, Remarkables Park Shopping Centre, Frankton, Queenstown |
| Dunedin (Allan Millars) – Hunting & Fishing | 141 Crawford Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 |
| North Otago – Hunting & Fishing | 172 Thames Street, Oamaru 9400 |
| North Otago NZDA branch | |
| Otago NZDA branch | Details to come. |
| Queenstown - DOC | 50 Stanley Street, Queenstown 9300 |
Southland
| Recording point | Address |
|---|---|
| Invercargill – Hunting & Fishing | 97 Leet Street, Invercargill 9810 |
| Fiordland National Park - DOC |
1 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, 9640 |
NZDA branch opening day details
| NZDA branch details | Opening day dates | Open day times |
|---|---|---|
|
ONZDA Range, 990 Oromahoe Road |
|
9:30 am to 2 pm |
|
848 Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, RD 3 Albany, 0793 |
|
10 am to 12 pm
For club nights from 7 pm |
|
7 Target street, Point Chevalier, Auckland 1022 |
|
7–9 pm (week day date), 2–5 pm (weekend date) |
|
975 Wairere Drive, Hamilton East, Hamilton |
|
6:45 pm
Tails can be dropped at CoolCar Hamilton (Postal Address) between 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. No Heads without prior arrangement. If Dana isnt there, tails can be left with staff and they will be authenticated apon her return. |
|
62 Mountain Road, Maunganamu 3379, Taupō |
|
12–3 pm |
|
750 Factory Road, Te Awamutu 3800 |
|
6:30–7:30 pm (week day date), 12–2 pm (weekend date) |
|
101 Morrison Road, Komata 3674, Paeroa |
Contact tvdeerstalkers@gmail.com and/or Maureen on 0273337786 if your unavaliable to make these dates. |
9 am to 1 pm September date.
5–7:30 pm October and November dates.
|
|
29 Thorn Place, Onekawa, Napier |
|
6–7:30 pm |
|
1534 Maraekakaho Road, Flaxmere, Hastings |
|
7:30 pm |
|
12a Drake Street (off Carrington Street) New Plymouth |
|
7 pm (week day dates), 5 pm (weekend date) |
|
Central King Country NZDA branch District Rugby Club Rooms (Yellow Building South of Town Swimming Pool) Turaki Street, Taumarunui |
|
1–4 pm |
|
Waikanae Community Centre - 28-32 Utauta Street, Waikanae |
|
7:30–9 pm |
|
Maidstone Sports Hub, 11 Railway Avenue, Upper Hutt |
|
6:30–9:30 pm |
|
3 Collina Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington |
|
7:30 pm |
|
Target shooting Saxton Oval, Stoke, Nelson |
|
7 pm |
|
River Inn Hotel, 20 Waitapu Road, 7183 Takaka |
|
1–3 pm |
|
September date 11 am to 1 pm DOC workshop (4383 Coast Road, Punakaiki 7873)
October date 11 am to 1 pm (Arahura Marae 33 Old Christchurch Rd)
November date 11 am to 1 pm (Dixon Park) |
|
|
599 McLeans Island Road, Christchurch |
|
12–4 pm |
|
Wanaka Districts Club, 45 Plantation Road, Wanaka 9303 |
|
6:30 pm |
|
67 wansbeck Street Oamaru |
|
7 pm or anytime by appointment 0274395072 |
National categories and prizes
| Category | Entry criteria | Prize packs valued from $2,500 to $4,000 |
|---|---|---|
|
Got Your Goat |
Enter one wild goat tail and be in to win. |
|
|
Great Goat Round Up |
Enter one or more wild goat tails to go in the draw.
The more wild goat tails entered the more chances to win. |
|
|
NZDA's G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time) |
Wild goat head with the largest Douglas Score. Heads can only be entered at a NZDA branch. |
|
|
Junior Goat Round Up |
Enter one or more wild goat tails to go in the draw.
For hunters 18 years or under – the more wild goat tails entered, the more chances to win. |
|
|
Junior G.O.A.T. |
For hunters 18 years or under – wild goat head with largest Douglas Score. |
|
|
National monthly spot prizes |
Enter just one wild goat tail and be in to win. |
|
Hunting & Fishing NZ's local legends categories and prizes
| Category | Entry criteria | Prize packs valued from $2,500 to $4,000 |
|---|---|---|
|
Got Your Goat |
Enter one wild goat tail and be in to win. |
Medium rifle bag, 126-piece first aid kit, carabiner mug |
|
Great Goat Round Up |
Enter one or more wild goat tails to go in the draw.
The more wild goat tails entered the more chances to win. |
$100 gift card |
|
NZDA's G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time) |
Wild goat head with the largest Douglas Score. Heads can only be entered at a NZDA branch. |
Gerber Randy Newburg DTS, Lanksy Quick Fix |
|
Junior Goat Round Up |
Enter one or more wild goat tails to go in the draw.
For hunters 18 years or under – the more wild goat tails entered, the more chances to win. |
Traverse TR5R Headlamp |
|
Junior G.O.A.T. |
For hunters 18 years or under – wild goat head with largest Douglas Score. |
65L barrel bag |
|
Spot prizes |
Enter just one wild goat tail and be in to win. |
Possyum and chunky dog food, and treats from Superior Pet Food, and additional spot prizes throughout the season. |
Read about Douglas Score Trophy scoring
Landowner prizes
- Bushnell rangefinder
- NZ Auto Trap
- Hunting & Fishing NZ voucher
Total prize pool worth over $3,200.
Landowners can also enter all hunter competition categories.
2026 sponsors
Prizes supported by competition sponsors who enable practical action for nature:
- Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd – Founding sponsor
- Nocpix – Major sponsor (thermal imaging)
- Bushnell – Binocular sponsor
- Hunters Element – Clothing sponsor
- Svörd – Knives sponsor
- Superior Pet Food Ltd – Dog food sponsor
- Missing in Aotearoa – Tent sponsor
- NZ Auto Trap – Trap sponsor
- Tatonka, Ledlenser and Domex – Gear prize pack
Find places to hunt
- Check wild goat distribution and official entry locations (PDF, 4,707K)
- Use the hunting block search function
Read more about hunting wild goats on our website and NZDA’s website
Important safety reminders
Wild goats are often seen in places where hunting is not permitted, including:
- near roads and rail corridors
- river margins
- areas with livestock.
In steep terrain or flooded waterways, do not take risks to retrieve goats or goat tails. If retrieval is unsafe, take a GPS located and timestamped photo instead.
Always identify your target beyond doubt and ensure a safe backstop.
- The competition is open to all hunters.
- All goat tails and goat heads entered must be wild and taken legally, recreationally, and humanely between 1 August and 26 November 2026. If using firearms, hunters must have a current firearms licence or be supervised by a current and appropriate firearms licence holder. Hunters have responsibilities under Sections 30A and 30B of the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Wilful or reckless ill-treatment of wild animals or animals in a wild state is an offence.
- The organisers reserve the right to refuse any wild goat tail or head, should they doubt its eligibility. Honesty that the wild goat tail or head are taken in accordance with the law, animal ethics, and all the competition rules is appreciated.
- Hunting may take place where you have permission, including:
- private land (with landowner consent)
- forestry or farm land
- public conservation land or council land (with a permit)
- All land access conditions must be followed, whether under permit or through landowner consent.
- Wild goat heads can only be taken to an approved New Zealand Deerstalker Association entry point.
- All wild goat tails and heads must be presented fresh or frozen in a clean manner. Tails need to be secured in a bag and if frozen, tails need to be loose (not frozen together), so they can be easily counted.
- All wild goat tails will be counted by an approved verifier.
- All wild goat tails and goat heads entered at an official recording point will be eligible for the national prize draw. Each tail or head can only be entered once.
- In the event that a wild goat is killed, but cannot be retrieved by a competitor, the competitor may take a time and date stamped photo with the dead wild goat in view to an official recording point for review. It is at the Judge's discretion whether to accept the photo as proof of a tail entry.
- All wild goat head measurements will be based on the Douglas Scoring System and will be carried out by an approved New Zealand Deerstalker Association judge. Judge's decision is final.
- Any goat tail and/or head taken in a paid or commercial capacity is not eligible as an entry into the national or any local competition.
- No responsibility can be accepted for any entries lost, delayed or corrupted as a result of computer error.
- By entering into the competition, you agree to the collection and use of any personal information and data supplied for the purposes of contacting and publicly announcing prizewinners, and to measure the success of the competition.
- All hunters must comply with the 7 rules of firearms safety
Hunters must follow
- Competition rules
- The 7 rules of firearms safety
- Firearms Safety Code
- NZDA Code of Ethics
- DOC hunter safety information and Outdoor Access Code
- Animal Welfare Act 1999
Check before you hunt
Make sure you:
- have the correct permits or landowner permission
- know where hunting is allowed
- understand access conditions
- respect farming activities and dog restrictions.
Wild goat recipes
Wild goat is a versatile and underrated meat that can be a tasty addition to your family's table.
We've teamed up with Cazador restaurant to share recipes that showcase its flavour.
Partners
This competition is brought to you by:
- Department of Conservation
- New Zealand Deerstalkers Association
With support from:
- Te Tari Pūreke/Firearms Safety Authority
- Hunting and Fishing NZ Ltd
- Federated Farmers of New Zealand
Contact
For more information email: wildanimalmanagement@doc.govt.nz.