There are 35 restricted hunting blocks on Rakiura/Stewart Island. These are bookable online. You can only hunt on a restricted hunting block if you have booked it and been issued a hunting permit.
You can book for a maximum of 10 days at one block. A hunting block can be booked within 12 months of the start dates if available. You can only book one block at any specified period.
How to book a restricted hunting block
Check block availability and make a booking on the online permit system
Create an account
To make a booking on the online system you will need to create an account or log in if you already have one.
You will need to set up an account in the system and be logged in before you can book a block.
When setting up an account there are a few things you need to know:
- When you first try to book a block, you will be directed to a log in page. If you haven’t set up an account, you need to click on the ‘Sign up now’ link at the bottom of the screen.
- You will be asked for your email address. The email address you provide must be unique to you. You cannot set up different accounts with the same email address.
- You will need to verify your email account with a six-digit code sent to your email address. It may take a few minutes for the code to come through. The code is valid for 5 minutes and you can ask for a new code to be sent to you.
- Once your email account is verified, you will need to create a password and enter your name. The password must be at least 10 characters long and have at least 1 uppercase letter, 1 lowercase letter, a number, and a special character (e.g. #@$).
- Once you have done this, you will be asked to verify your email address again with another six-digit code. This second verification code is a double check when you first set up your account. When you log in again, you will only have to do this once.
- You will then be taken to a screen where you must enter your home address, phone number and date of birth before completing your block booking.
This account set-up process may seem hard, but this is to protect against bots and put a strong layer of protection across your personal information. You will only need to do this once and if you forget your password there is a ‘Forgot your password?’ function.
Steps to complete before your permits are issued
Pay your booking fees
There is a non-refundable $30 administration fee due per block booking. We must receive this payment within 21 days of the provisional booking being made or your booking will be automatically cancelled.
You can pay 2 different ways via the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre:
- by phone – credit/debit card payments only, or
- in person – EFTPOS or credit card payments only.
Your hunting party need to accept or decline their invitations
Each invited hunter needs to accept or decline their invitation that will be sent to them by email or SMS. They need to accept the terms and conditions and confirm their details. They will need to create an account in the permit booking system if they don't already have one.
Your permit/s will be issued
Once your booking fees have been paid and you have accepted the terms and conditions your permit will be issued. Each hunting party member must accept their invitation and also accept the terms and conditions. Every member of your hunting party will be issued a hunting permit. Anyone without a permit will not be allowed to hunt.
How to make changes to your booking
To make changes to your booking including removing hunters from your party or changing hunting party leader, contact the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre.
Plan your hunting block accommodation
There are different types of accommodation across the restricted hunting blocks. All the blocks have either a Hunter Camp Trust hut, or a DOC backcountry hut, or a Great Walk hut/campsite or a designated campsite. Fees and conditions vary depending on the type of facility.
Use these facilities to help minimise impact on the surrounding environment. The accommodation information for each block is included on the hunting block pages.
Find a restricted hunting block:
Blocks with Rakiura Hunter Camp Trust hunters huts
Many blocks have a Rakiura Hunters Camp Trust (RHCT) hut. Use these huts or campsites to minimise any impact on the wider environment.
These huts are designed for hunters. They provide shelter and basic amenities for hunters.
You need to book RHCT huts through the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre and pay RHCT hut levies.
Blocks with DOC huts and campsites
Backcountry huts
DOC backcountry huts that are located on hunting blocks operate on a first-come first-serve basis. No hunting party may take up more than half of the bunks – any extra hunters must camp outside.
DOC standard hut fees apply. You can pay with:
- a Backcountry Hut Pass – how to buy and use the Pass, or
- Backcountry Hut Tickets – buy from the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre or backcountry hut ticket retailers.
Great Walks Campsites
Great Walks Campsites (eg facilities at Māori Beach Campsite, Port William Campsite, North Arm Campsite) need to be booked through our Great Walks booking system.
The booking system only allows you to book two nights at a time so you will need to make multiple bookings if you stay more than two nights. Contact the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre if you need help with this.
Blocks that are camping only
There is no fee required.
Other permits
Possum trapping permit
Setting up leghold or kill traps for possum trapping within Rakiura National Park requires a separate possum trapping permit.
Apply for a permit by contacting the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre with your restricted hunting block permit number. The application will take a minimum of five working days. We will notify you of the application outcome.
.22 permit
Hunters who have a restricted block booking and want to use a .22 rifle to do pest animal control, eg for cats and possums, will need to apply for a separate .22 permit.
The applicant must provide a signed testimonial from a police officer or executive member of any recognised hunting club (NZDA, etc) to which they may belong, written on letterhead paper. It should confirm that the applicant is known to them and can be trusted to act in a responsible manner.
Send the testimonial document to Rakiura Visitor Centre with your restricted hunting block permit number. The application will take a minimum of five working days. We will notify you of the application outcome.
Contact
Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 219 0009 |
| Email: | stewartisland@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | 15 Main Road Oban 9818 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |