Sika and red deer are present.

Hunt sika deer and allow mountain beech forests to flourish in the Kaweka Forest Park.

General information

The Kaweka Forest Park covers an area of 68,000 hectares. The dominant feature of the park is the Kaweka Range, which divides the park and runs approximately north to south. North and west of the main range is the lower rolling country which feeds the Mohaka and Ngaruroro Rivers.

The Kaweka Forest Park, and the neighbouring Puketitiri Reserves are managed by DOC. The Hawke’s Bay Area Office in Napier is responsible for the day to day management of the area with staff located at the Puketitiri Field Base. Hunting permits, hut passes and general information are available from DOC’s offices.

What to hunt

• Sika are the most common deer found (in excess of 90%). Sika are popular to hunt because of their elusiveness.
• Introduced from Europe in the 1850s, red deer make up about 10 per cent of the deer population at Kaweka Forest Park.
• No pigs or goats are known to be present in this area of the Kaweka Forest Park but any reports of these animals would be welcomed by the department.

Good hunting is available all year round with best success during the warm summer months from November to March. Sika deer are also more noticeable in their bright summer coats.

Hunting areas

Hunting areas are located throughout Kaweka Forest Park which is located north-east of Napier:

Back Ridge Bivouac area
Back Ridge Hut area
Ballard Hut area
Black Birch Bivouac area
Cameron Hut area
Dominie Hut area
Harkness Hut area
Kaweka Flats Bivouac area
Kiwi Mouth Hut area
Kiwi Saddle Hut area
Mackintosh Hut area
Makahu Saddle Hut area
Makino Hut area
Mangatainoka Hut area
Mangaturutu Hut area
Manson Bivouac area
Manson Hut area
Middle Hill Hut area
Ngaawapurua Hut area
Omarukokere Bivouac area
Otutu Hut area
Rocks Ahead Bivouac area
Rocks Ahead Hut area
Studholme Saddle Bivouac area
Studholme Saddle Hut area
Te Puia Hut area
Te Puke (Te Pukeohikarua) Hut area
Tussock Hut area
Venison Tops Hut area

Access

Comet Road

Access to Comet Road is off the Napier-Taihape Road, 7 km west of Kuripapango (83 km west from Napier). This 3.3km 4WD track gives access to the Kaikomata Range and southern part of Kaweka Forest Park. Walking tracks link from the road end to Komata Hut and the northern part of Ruahine Forest Park.

Kaweka Road

Gives access to Ferny Ridge, Littles Clearing, Black Birch Range and Makahu Saddle. It is 64 km west of Napier off Whittle Road.

Lotkow Road

Gives access to Gorge Stream and Donald River area and is accessed from Whittle Road 64 km west of Napier.

Kuripapango road

Lakes car park is accessible via Kuripapango Road. This car park gives access to Kiwi Saddle and MacKintosh areas of the Kaweka Forest Park.

Lawrence Carpark access road

Lawrence Road, 66 km west of Napier.

Makahu Road

Is 72 km west of Napier and gives access to Te Puia Track, Mangatutu camping area, Makino and Middle Hill huts. Makahu Saddle provides access to Kaweka J.

Whittle road

Is accessed off Puketitiri Road 60km west of Napier. Gives access to Lotkow and Kaweka roads.

Map information

NZTopo50 BH36, BH37, BH38, BJ36, BJ37, BJ38, and BK37

Dogs

Only registered, avian aversion certified hunting dogs, guide dogs, companion dogs (certified by the Top Dog Companion Trust) and dogs used for special services (including conservation management activities) are permitted in the park. All other dogs are banned.

Hut information

Back Ridge Bivouac
Back Ridge Hut
Ballard Hut
Black Birch Bivouac
Cameron Hut
Dominie Hut
Harkness Hut
Kaweka Flats Bivouac
Kiwi Mouth Hut
Kiwi Saddle Hut
Mackintosh Hut
Makahu Saddle Hut
Makino Hut
Mangatainoka Hut
Mangaturutu Hut
Manson Bivouac
Manson Hut
Middle Hill Hut
Ngaawapurua Hut
Omarukokere Bivouac
Otutu Hut
Rocks Ahead Bivouac
Rocks Ahead Hut
Studholme Saddle Hut
Te Puia Hut (Lodge)
Te Puke (Te Pukeohikarua) Hut
Tussock Hut
Venison Tops Hut (Tira Lodge)

Additional information

Safety

This is a mountainous area. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, whiteouts, high winds on the ranges and rapidly rising water levels in rivers and streams. The Puketitiri area is in the rain shadow of the Kaweka Ranges.

General conditions

• Permits for rimfire and smooth bore calibres will only be issued under special circumstances.
• Special conditions apply to hunting with bows and crossbows. Check with DOC when you apply for a permit.

Contact

For further information contact:

DOC Customer Service Centre