Waikaia Forest Conservation Area hunting

Located in Mainland Southland hunting in the Southland region

You can hunt red deer in the Waikaia Forest.

We're updating the ballot application process

We’re updating the application process for the 2026 roar ballot as we prepare to move to the new online DOC Hunting Permits system in 2026. 

No admin fees will be charged for ballot applications during the transition. Fees will be reinstated when the new system is live, and we’ll keep you updated when that will happen.  

See key dates and fee waiver information

The hunting permit status of this restricted block is under review

We are reviewing the status of this hunting block to decide if it should stay restricted or change to the open permit system. This review is part of our broader hunting permit upgrade.  

Where possible we want to maximise hunting opportunities by making getting a hunting permit fast and easy. We want to ensure any rules hunters need to follow are simple, clear and easy to understand.  

The review is guided by the access charter for recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land and waters.  

For more information, see Review of restricted hunting permits (PDF, 299K)         

Send any feedback about this potential change to: invercargill@doc.govt.nz

About this hunting block

Waikaia Forest Conservation Area covers some 7,000 ha of beech forest. The terrain ranges from river flats to open tops with some steep areas in places. This is a popular recreational area, particularly over the summer months. There are several walking tracks, a basic DOC camping area and a picnic area at Piano Flat.

The Waikaia Forest Conservation Area is a restricted hunting area. Outside the 'roar' period a permit must be obtained by contacting the DOC Murihiku Office in Invercargill. These permits close on 9 March for the 'roar' balloted permits.

Roar ballot

The balloted roar period runs from the third Monday in March to the third Sunday in April every year. 

During this roar period the area is divided into 5 blocks and balloted for periods of up to 3 days during the week, or weekends only. Applications close on 31 October. 

Application form

Important: We’re updating the application process for the 2026 roar ballot as we prepare to move to the new online DOC Hunting Permits system in 2026.

Download the ballot map and application form (PDF, 183K) or (Word, 47K)

To apply for the ballot, you will need to complete an application form and submit via email to invercargill@doc.govt.nz.

Key dates and fee waiver

  • The new system will launch in the first quarter of 2026.
  • No admin fees will be charged for ballot applications during the transition, including the 2026 roar ballot. Fees will be reinstated when the new system is live, and we’ll keep you updated when that will happen.
  • If you’ve already paid a fee, you’ll receive a refund. We’ll contact you directly in this case.

Access

Follow Piano Flat road from Waikaia. Access to some of the blocks cross private land and hunters are required to contact the landowners.

Landholders

Glenaray Station
Mike O’Donoghue +64 3 202 7720

Argyle Station
M Gunton - +64 3 202 7735 A/H

Maps

NZTopo50 map - CD12

A selection of Topo50 maps which cover the Southland region are available to purchase from the DOC Murihiku Office. 

If you require a map that is not supplied at the Murihiku Office, you can download maps or check out a list of other retailers on the Land Information New Zealand website. 

Block Maps

Block 1 (PDF, 1403K)
Block 2 (PDF, 1420K)
Block 3 (PDF, 1570K)
Block 4 (PDF, 1496K)
Block 5 (PDF, 1520K)

Animals present

Red deer - moderate numbers

Dogs

  • Dogs must be registered.
  • When crossing private land, dogs are to be on a leash until well into forest and kept under control.
  • DOC must be notified regarding missing or lost dogs on conservation land.

Huts

There are no DOC huts available. A number of huts exist on the edge of the forest. These are all on private land and are privately owned.

Additional information

If possuming, a permit must be obtained by contacting the DOC Murihiku Office in Invercargill.