Remutaka Forest Park hunting

Located in Wellington hunting in the Wellington/Kapiti region

Introduction

Deer, goats and pigs are hunted in Remutaka Forest Park.

Species

  • Deer - Red
  • Goats
  • Pigs

Permit requirements

A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.

This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online or from a DOC office.

Seasonal restrictions

Access via Onoke farm closed during lambing 1 August to 30 November.

About this hunting block

General information

Where you can't hunt

Because of a high level of public use, hunting or discharge of firearms is not permitted in the:

  • Catchpool Valley
  • Ōrongorongo Valley within 200 m of the edge of the riverbed and within 200 m of the Ōrongorongo Track.

What to hunt

  • Small numbers of red deer occur throughout the park.
  • Goats are found in open country.
  • The best pig hunting is in low altitude gullies and valleys during winter.

Huts

Places to stay in Remutaka Forest Park

Getting there

The southern section of the park is well tracked, but there are few formed routes in other areas. Access is limited mostly to tracks that follow rivers into the park.

  • Catchpool Stream / Park HQ: Ōrongorongo River (via Ōrongorongo Track) or McKerrow Track, with an unloaded firearm.
  • Western Lake Road: Easement through Onoke farm settlement, to Battery Stream, and Wharepapa River and hut. Closed to hunters and dogs during lambing (1 August to 30 November).
  • Western Lake Road – Remutaka Incline: Legal access up Cross Creek.
  • Remutaka Summit: SH2 just downhill from the summit on the Upper Hutt side. Park boundary follows SH2 from the summit east to the ridge between Prince and Owhanga Rivers.
  • Kaitoke: Remutaka Incline and Pakuratahi River, access to the Greater Wellington Regional Council Upper Pakuratahi Forest Hunting Area. GWRC permit required. Ph: +64 4 526 4133.
  • Hine Road: Whakanui and McKerrow Tracks.

Landowners

Mukamuka Stream – to Mt Matthews or Ōrongorongo Valley via South Saddle track: Permission required from Wharekauhau Station Manger, phone +64 27 677 6294.

Western Lake Rd – Waiorongomai Valley and Waiorongomai Hut: Walking access into the Remutaka Forest Park, via Waiorongomai Station, is by the goodwill of the Matthews family. Only hunters require permission from Charlie Matthews at +64 27 472 8027.

No dogs allowed through this access route.

Maps

NZTopo50 BP33, BQ32 and BQ33

Know before you go

Dogs

Dog access in Remutaka Forest Park provides more information and a map.

  • Check the special conditions on hunting permits online for hunting with dogs in this area.
  • Lost dogs should be reported to the nearest DOC office.
  • Dogs must be kept under strict control and must not disturb other park users, especially in the Catchpool and Ōrongorongo Valleys. They must not menace stock on adjoining properties.
Dog control in Catchpool Valley and Turere catchment

The 'No dog' requirements of the Conservation Act are strictly enforced within the Turere Stream catchment. Recreational hunting by permit issued under the Conservation Act is allowed, but dogs are excluded.

Areas of Remutaka Forest Park requiring dogs to be kept on a lead at all times
  • Signs mark the areas where dogs must be on a lead
  • The entire Catchpool Valley from its entrance at Coast Road to the upper car park, including all walks and tracks, picnic and camping areas except for the designated 'dog exercise area'.
  • Whakanui Track from its start at Sunny Grove road end in Wainuiomata, for approximately three-quarters of its length to the Ōrongorongo River.
  • McKerrow Track, Clay Ridge Track, Butcher Track, Cattle Ridge Track, and Ōrongorongo Track in their entirety.
Area of Catchpool Valley where dogs may be exercised off a lead
  • Signs mark the area where dogs may be off a lead
  • Between the road and Catchpool Stream opposite the visitor centre.
Area of Remutaka Forest Park closed to dogs
  • Signs mark the areas closed to dogs.
  • The Turere Stream catchment from its headwaters to the confluence with the Ōrongorongo River. This is bounded by but does not include the Whakanui Track and McKerrow Track.

Contacts

Kapiti Wellington Visitor Centre
Phone:   +64 4 384 7770
Email:   wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz
Address:   18 - 32 Manners Street
Wellington
6011
Postal Address:   PO Box 10420
The Terrace
Wellington 6143
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