Dates

In 2027 the roar system will run from Sunday 21 March to Saturday 17 April with the available periods being:

• Period 1: Sunday 21 March to Saturday 27 March 2027
• Period 2: Sunday 28 March to Saturday 3 April 2027
• Period 3: Sunday 4 April to Saturday 10 April 2027
• Period 4: Sunday 11 April to Saturday 17 April 2027

The 2027 roar online application will be posted on this page in early October 2026.

Blocks

There are 50 blocks available for allocation each roar. These are limited to one party per block for each seven-day period.

• Wānaka roar hunting block overview map 1 (PDF, 575K)
• Wānaka roar hunting block overview map 2 (PDF, 620K)

Block permits

Blocks are allocated through a ballot draw and are allocated for a seven-day period (Sunday to the following Saturday) as listed above.

Applications close at 11:59 pm Saturday 31 October 2026.

Ballot draw

The 2027 ballot draw will be fully automated and will be held in early November 2026 - check this webpage for updated information. 

Applicants will be advised by email of the outcome of the draw by the end of November 2026.

Confirmation of bookings

All 2027 allocations are automatically confirmed. You do not need to email us to confirm.

Reallocating blocks

Applicants who entered the draw but were unsuccessful will have first choice of any remaining blocks. These will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by lining up in person at our Wānaka office after 8:30 am in early December 2026. Applicants will be issued with an application number that must be quoted when applying for a block.

In January 2027 any remaining blocks will be made available to all hunters who did not enter the draw, and a week later to hunters who have existing bookings and want a second block or want to extend their existing booking, may also apply for any remaining unallocated blocks.

Permit issue

Permits will be emailed out to successful applicants by the end of January 2027.

Administration fee

A roar ballot application fee will be introduced for 2027 Wānaka roar block system, to cover the costs associated with administering it.

General information

• Helicopter operators are not permitted to undertake venison recovery during the roar period: 19 March to 20 April 2027. If any helicopter is observed recovering venison during that period, note as much detail as possible, eg make, colour, registration, and pass to DOC so an investigation may be carried out.
• To encourage full use of the hunting blocks, any applicants who do not comply with the requirements of the Wānaka Roar Ballot or hunting permit system will be disqualified from following ballot draw(s). This may include hunters who submit multiple applications or who do not cancel their permits. The success of the system depends on the honesty of those involved.
• Be aware that there may be other people in your block who also have right of access to public land. This could include trampers, anglers, farmers, DOC field staff, possum hunters and many others.
• Identify your target before shooting.

Previous roar application information

See the roar ballot overview for information on the statistics of previous roar ballots, including the most popular blocks applied for.

Wānaka roar ballot overview (XLSX, 37K)

Contact

For any other information about hunting in the Wānaka area during the roar period, contact: