Wānaka roar block system

DOC's Tititea/Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre in Wānaka runs an annual ballot system for hunters wishing to hunt during the roar period.

The ballot ensures hunters have access to an area with the knowledge that only one hunting party will be present in each of the blocks for a seven day period.

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)

Ballot application

Applications are only accepted via the Wānaka Roar Ballot online application form from Saturday 1 October 2022.

Online application form

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

• The last date applications will be accepted is Friday 4 November 2022.
• The application form will be limited to four choices.
• You can submit only one application per party.
• No individual may be involved in more than one application.

2023 roar dates

In 2023 the roar system is from Sunday 19 March to Saturday 15 April. The periods are:

• Period 1: Sunday 19 March to Saturday 25 March
• Period 2: Sunday 26 March to Saturday 1 April
• Period 3: Sunday 2 April to Saturday 8 April
• Period 4: Sunday 9 April to Saturday 15 April

Ballot draw

The ballot draw will be held on Monday 7 November 2022 at the Tititea/Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre in Wānaka. If you wish to observe the ballot draw contact the office on +64 3 443 7660 to indicate your interest at least a week before the draw.

Applicants will be advised by email of the outcome of the draw by Friday 11 November 2022.

Confirmation of bookings

Successful applicants must confirm their block before Friday 2 December 2022, via email.

If confirmation has not been received by 5 pm Friday 2 December 2022, the booking will be cancelled, and the block reallocated – no reminders will be issued.

Reallocation of blocks

Any unconfirmed blocks will be available to parties that were unsuccessful in the ballot draw on a 'first in, first served' basis. Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email with dates that they can reapply for any of the unconfirmed blocks. Unsuccessful applicants will also be issued with an application number that must be quoted when applying for a block.

From Monday 30 January 2023, any remaining blocks will be made available to all hunters who did not enter the draw.

From Friday 3 February 2023 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

The 2023 roar permits will be emailed out to roar block holders on or after 23 January 2023.

Administration fee

At this stage, no administration fee will be charged for the 2023 roar, although this fee may be introduced in future ballots to cover the costs associated with administering the roar block system.

General information

Helicopter operators are not permitted to undertake venison recovery during the roar period: 22 March to 18 April including Easter weekend (Good Friday 7 April 2023 to Easter Monday 10 April 2023). If any helicopter is observed recovering venison during that period, note as much detail as possible, e.g. 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 the 2022 and possibly subsequent ballot draw(s). This may include hunters who submit multiple applications or who do not cancel or collect their permits. The success of the system depends on the integrity 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.

Contact

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