About this hunting block

The North Block is a popular area for deer hunting with moderate numbers of deer and pigs. Goats are present but numbers are variable.

General information

The public conservation land available for hunting in this northern Pureora zone is about 26,000 ha.

Approximately 17,500 ha, of this is a gazetted Recreational Hunting Area (RHA). This status means that control of red deer and pigs should, where possible, be achieved by recreational hunters.

Currently commercial wild animal recovery is not permitted in the RHA but unless wild animal numbers are reduced some other form of animal control will be required.

Access

There are numerous entry points to the Pureora North Block. Some are walking only.

Not all access is well marked but Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa – Outdoor Access Commission and DOC Maps: Discover the Outdoors websites provide accurate mapping information to support public access.

Duncan Road, Hoddle Road, and Tolley Road provide hunter access to public conservation land in the northern Rangitoto Range.

Mangatutu Stream Reserve (Pureora NW Outlier) Access

Duncan Road – from Te Kawa Crossroads on SH3, follow Wharepuhunga Road 20 km before turning right onto Duncan Road. The access point is not marked so due diligence is required to ensure the lay-by used is within the reserve. There are no formed tracks from this point.  

Tolley Road

From Te Kawa Crossroads on SH3, follow Wharepuhunga Road 20 km before carrying onto Ngaroma Road for 16 km then on to Tolley Road for a further 4.5 km. Parking is marked at the road end and poled route to the forest margin. An old disused logging track provides access to the Ngaroma block.

Waipapa Reserve

Access via lay-bys Waipapa Road.

Owawenga Road

Owawenga Road provides public access to the western Rangitoto Range including Pureora Forest Park, Cowan and Meyer Wildlife Refuges and former state Forst 58. From SH 3, turn east onto Otewa Road and follow for approximately 17 km before turning onto Waimahora Road. The turn-off to Owawenga Road is approximately 2.5 km then 15 km from here to forest access gate. The Wildlife Hut is accessed via road access (4.5 km). There are numerous hunting opportunities available.

Ranginui Road and Waitaramoa Road are public roads which provide access into the southern part of the Pureora North Block from SH 30.

Fletchers Road (off Ranginui Road)

From SH 30 (Scott Road) between Barryville and Mangakino – turn onto Ranginui Road – entrance to Fletchers Road will be 1.5 km on the left. Access to the Waipapa Northern Hunters Access Track. Fletchers Road extends 5 km into the forest but is subject to washouts so is limited to walking, quadbikes or mountain bikes. 

North Block Interior Access Road (Waitaramoa Road) - off SH 30. 

Waipapa Block Southern Hunter Access Track

From SH 30 1.7km, turn right onto the Pureora Lodge Road 2.3 km to the beginning of the Southern Access Track. 

Select Loop

Off SH 30, 6 km along Waitaramoa Road. Select Loop Road 7 km circuit.

Waipapa Block Northern Hunter Access Track

Accessed off Select Loop 3.2 km in. 

Okahukura Block Access

Off SH 30 along Waitaramoa Road 9 km, turn left to road access into the Okahukura Block.

Okahukura Loop Track Carpark

5 km from the Waitaramoa/Okahukura turnoff.

Okahukura

Mangatutu Access Track located 8 km from the Okahukura Loop Carpark.

Ngaroma Block Access

Off SH 30 along Waitaramoa Road 9 km, continue straight ahead to access into the Ngaroma block.

Topo maps

NZTopo 50 Benneydale BF34

Dogs

Dogs are prohibited from public conservation land except where authorisation has been granted by DOC. A standard open hunting permit for the Pureora Forest/Western King Country allows a hunter to take up to two dogs or party of hunters a maximum of three dogs into public conservation land.

All dogs must remain under the strict control of owners and not be allowed to stray onto surrounding farm land or cause distress to other recreational users.

To take dogs across private property you must get permission from the landowner.

Additional information

Wild animal recovery operations are not permitted in the Pureora North Block RHA due to the overarching recreational hunting area status. Spotlighting is not allowed.