This decision followed a formal statutory process under the Game Animal Council Act 2013. The process included development of the herd management plan and related public consultation, a range of engagement with Treaty partners, relevant agencies and organisations.
The herd management plan
The herd management plan sets out how Fiordland wapiti will be managed as a Herd of Special Interest. The plan includes objectives and targets for:
- deer browse and seedling regeneration
- maintaining and improving recreational hunting opportunities
- increasing the involvement of Treaty partners and hunters in Fiordland wapiti management
- regular monitoring and reporting.
The herd management plan also includes maps identifying the Fiordland wapiti area, and a range of relevant information on the herd, its value to hunters and the management framework.
The herd management plan must be reviewed at intervals of not more than five years.
- Fiordland Wapiti Herd of Special Interest Herd Management Plan (PDF, 2,951K)
- Fiordland wapiti area map (JPG, 1,617K)
HOSI designation confirmed
The designation of Fiordland wapiti as a Herd of Special Interest applies to part of Fiordland National Park. This designation provides a clear framework for managing wapiti as a high-quality hunting resource within a defined area of public conservation land.
Find out about the Fiordland wapiti Herd of Special Interest
NZ Gazette notice
View the Minister’s notice in the New Zealand Gazette designating Fiordland wapiti as a Herd of Special Interest
In accordance with the requirements of the Regulatory Standards Act 2025, the following related information is also available:
- Consistency Accountability Statement (PDF, 62K)
- Summary of Underpinning Analysis (PDF, 165K)
- Ministerial Statement of Reasons (PDF, 260K)
The designation takes effect from the date hunting conditions for the Fiordland Wapiti Herd of Special Interest are first set in the New Zealand Gazette. This is expected to be in August 2026, to coincide with the 2026/7 wapiti ballot (the random draw for bugle season access).
Submissions
Submissions on the draft herd management plan closed 8 December 2025.
Information provided in submissions may be released under the Official Information Act 1982.
Submissions received and summary report
Between 10 November and 8 December 2025, DOC received 352 submissions on the draft plan.
Consultation documents and reports
- Draft Fiordland Wapiti Herd Management Plan (PDF, 2,164K)
- Consultation support document (PDF, 1,813K)
- Summary of submissions report (PDF, 508K)
Full submission documents
- Full submissions record (PDF, 4,733K)
- Submission attachments – submitter last names A - Cor (PDF, 22,816K)
- Submission attachments – submitter last names Cot – H (PDF, 22,908K)
- Submission attachments – submitter last names J - Sn (PDF, 23,790K)
- Submission attachments – submitter last names Sp – U (PDF, 19,315K)
- Submission attachments – submitter last names Wa – Wr (PDF, 7,158K)
How to find a submission
To find a specific submission, use the contents page of the full submissions record. The page number for each submission appears in the column to the right of the submitter’s name.
Some submissions include attachments or supporting documents. These are noted in the full submissions record document and can be found in relevant submission attachments documents (organised above by submitter's last name).
Personal information, contact details, and other private information have been removed where required under DOC policy and relevant legislation.
What happened after submissions closed
Following the public submissions period:
- The draft plan was revised based on submissions, ongoing conversations with Treaty partners and follow up engagement with key agencies.
- The Minister for Hunting and Fishing considered the feedback and updates before making his decision on the plan and designating Fiordland wapiti as a Herd of Special Interest.
Contact
For questions about the submission process, contact the Wild Animal Management Team: wildanimalmanagement@doc.govt.nz