Tapuarau Conservation Area & Lake Waiau Wildlife Management Reserve hunting

Located in Whanganui District hunting in the Manawatu/Whanganui region

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Introduction

Tapuarau Conservation Area which used to be known as Hawken’s Lagoon features upland game, waterfowl and rabbit hunting opportunities.

Species

  • Game birds
  • Rabbits or hares

Permit requirements

A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.

This hunting area is covered by a ‘game bird hunting permit’ and ‘restricted area permit’. See permit information below.

Dog access

Dogs with a DOC permit (contact the relevant DOC office) and a current kiwi aversion certificate only.

Brochures

About this hunting block

Tapuarau Conservation Area has upland game and waterfowl hunting and there are also a number of rabbits. Rabbit hunting with a .22 rifle may be permitted. Upland game may be found throughout the block, although the majority are on adjoining private land.

Lake Waiau has waterfowl hunting only which is restricted mainly to regular hunters.

Special restrictions:

  • The lagoons have a number of waterfowl hunting stands used by regular hunters. The lagoons are closed to general hunting on opening weekend of the game bird season.
  • The boundary of Lake Waiau is often the shoreline or even out in the lake. Hunters must hold a DOC permit and they must also have permission of the land owner whose land they cross.

General information

The area contains two lakes and consist of areas of wetlands, sand dunes and damp dune flats.

Permits

To hunt game birds you'll need:

  • a Fish & Game game bird permit and a firearms licence
  • a game bird permit - contact whanganui@doc.govt.nz.

To hunt other species you'll need a restricted hunting permit. 

Access

Tapuarau Conservation Area has two access points.

  • Turn off State Highway 3 at Waitotara onto Waiinu Beach Road. Take the first right onto Hawken Road. At the end of Hawken Road there is a sign. Access to the lagoon and beach is by foot only.
  • Turn off State Highway 3 east of Waverley onto Lower Waiau Road. Turn right onto Ihupuku Road then the next left onto Lennox Road. There is a sign attached to the boundary gate.

Lake Waiau is also accessed from Ihupuku Road. The only legal access is where the boundary meets the road. You are not able to walk around the lake without entering private land. Permission must be obtained to enter private land.

Landowners

Permission must be obtained to enter private land.

Maps

NZtopo50 BK31

Dogs

A separate permit is required to hunt with dogs. All dogs must be avian avoidance certified. Contact the local DOC office for details.

Huts

There are no DOC huts in this reserve.

Additional information

There are no tracks and visitor use is moderate.

Contacts

Whanganui Office
Phone:   0800 275 362
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   whanganui@doc.govt.nz
Address:   34-36 Taupo Quay
Whanganui 4500
Postal Address:   Private Bag 3016
Whanganui 4540
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