Molesworth Recreation Reserve hunting

Located in the Marlborough region

Hunting is restricted in Molesworth as it is both a recreation reserve and a working farm. Red deer, chamois, goats, pigs, and Canada geese are found here.

Seasonal restrictions

Chukar hunting: Some blocks in June are restricted to chukar hunting only – see the Know before you go section.

Canada goose: Goose hunt weekends are held each year – see the Know before you go section.

Acheron Road is open 7 am – 7 pm daily from 1 October to Easter Monday or the second Monday in April – whichever is later. It can close without warning.

No dogs icon

Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Brochures

Overview map – all Molesworth hunting blocks (PDF, 2,780K)

Molesworth Recreation Reserve is a restricted hunting area. Permits for hunting deer, chamois, goats and pigs are issued for a specific period and for a specified block.

For the roar period, blocks can’t be booked through this system. See Molesworth roar system for information about the roar application process.  

General information

Molesworth Recreational Reserve has the largest farm in New Zealand. It is administered by DOC and leased to Landcorp Farming Ltd.

Red deer, chamois, goats, pigs, and Canada geese are found here.

Bovine TB has been detected in the farming operations at the Molesworth Recreation Reserve. 

TB information for deer and pig hunters on OSPRI website

Special conditions

  1. In addition to the species listed in Standard Condition 1, this permit authorises the hunting of rabbit and hares. 
  2. Despite Standard Condition 9, this permit authorises access by foot to the permit area through other hunting blocks in Molesworth Recreation Reserve. Hunting on blocks outside of the permit area is prohibited.
  3. A person must only hold one hunting permit for Molesworth Recreation Reserve in a calendar month, and no more than three permits during the period January to June or July to December. Hunting permits issued for the roar are excluded from this condition.
  4. Hunters must adhere to the Molesworth Care Code while in Molesworth Recreation Reserve.
  5. Vehicle use in the reserve is limited to the public roads and Acheron Road. Acheron Road is only open between 7 am and 7 pm from 1 October until Easter Monday or the second Sunday in April, whichever is later. These roads may be closed at any time. Vehicles may be left up to 50 m from the Acheron Rd and must not block gates or access ways. 
  6. Fires are prohibited in the reserve (except for facilities provided in huts).
  7. Camping is not permitted in the Acheron Road corridor. You must camp at least 300 m from and out of sight of the Acheron or Clarence/Tophouse Roads. Camping is allowed for the duration of this permit only.

Maps

Overview map - all Molesworth hunting blocks

NZTopo50 maps: BS24, BS25, BT24, BT25, BT26.

Access

Vehicle access is limited to the main formed roads Acheron Road and Tophouse/Wairau Hanmer Springs Road, also known as Rainbow Road, only and only when the roads are open. No vehicles are to be driven on any farm tracks.

Helicopters are not permitted at all.

There are three main road access points:

  • Via Jacks Pass Road from Hanmer Springs
  • Rainbow Road. This s a 4WD toll road with access restrictions. For details, see the Rainbow Station website.
  • Molesworth Acheron Road - Awatere Valley Road

Acheron Road

Road open from:

  • 7 am – 7 pm daily from 1 October to Easter Monday or the second Sunday in April – whichever is later. It can close without warning.

Dogs

No dogs allowed.

Chukar hunting

Chukar hunting will take place for 2 weeks from the 10 - 23 June 2026

Contact Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game for a permit:
Jacob Lucas
Email: jlucas@fishandgame.org.nz
Phone: +64 3 544 6382

These blocks are exclusive for chukar hunting only and do not allow you to hunt big game during this time:

Goose hunts

Canada goose hunt weekends are held each year.

  • 5-8 March 2026
  • 4-7 June 2026
  • 15-18 October 2026

To participate, contact:

Mike Gane
Email: mike.gane@xtra.co.nz

No large game hunting permits will be issued during Canada goose hunt weekends. A goose hunting permit:

  • allows you to hunt Canada goose only, and
  • does not allow you to hunt big game.

Watch out for trampers, mountain bikers and other hunters

Areas may be used by other trampers, mountain bikers or other hunters accessing their block at any time. Wilding pine control by helicopter may be carried out at any time. Weed control staff will be informed of any hunters in the areas they are working.

Additional information

There are no WARO activities allowed in this area.