The Game Animal Council Act 2013 (GAC Act) is the is the first piece of legislation in New Zealand to recognise game animals as a valued introduced species and enable them to be sustainably managed while also achieving conservation outcomes.

This is achieved through the establishment of Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) in the GAC Act. This approach to recognising and valuing special game animal herds, is very different to the current management approach, which focuses on control or eradication of game animals across all public conservation land.

The Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill aims to make the law clear, in that the Minister for Hunting and Fishing can establish a HOSI in a national park and therefore exempt the herd from extermination or eradication requirements in other pieces of legislation.

On this page:

What is a HOSI?

A HOSI is a herd of game animals on public conservation land that has been formally designated by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing (the Minister) to be managed for hunting, while ensuring conservation values continue to be protected. A HOSI is made possible by the GAC Act. HOSI is used to manage highly valued game animal herds in specific locations to improve hunting, conservation and community outcomes. Learn more about HOSI here.

Why does NZ need HOSI?

The current approach to game animal management doesn’t recognise valued introduced species and their importance to New Zealand as a hunting resource or their contribution to supporting recreation, communities, commerce and conservation outcomes.

HOSI represents a shift towards a future management framework that recognises the value of game animals and supports and empowers hunter and community led conservation efforts. By shifting from a model focused solely on control or eradication, we can promote sustainable, respectful, and collaborative environmental stewardship of New Zealand’s natural environment while benefitting from these species.

Why is the Amendment Bill important?

If the Bill is passed it means highly valued game animal herds in national parks can be sustainably managed through HOSI, providing benefits to both hunting and conservation.

Benefits of game animal hunting

National parks are also managed to preserve public use, enjoyment and benefit. For many people, this is hunting of game animals. Hunting of game animals supports public enjoyment of national parks and provides:

  • Recreational wellbeing.
  • Connection with nature.
  • Wild food (meat).
  • Conservation volunteerism.
  • Economic benefits (local and tourism-related).

The big picture

Introduced game animals are part of New Zealand’s landscape, including in national parks. The key question is, how do we manage them to reduce harm and increase their value to people and nature?

Is this just about the Wapiti HOSI?

Not exactly. The Amendment Bill is for a law change that makes it clear the Minister for Hunting and Fishing can establish a HOSI in a national park.

Timeline

  1. 12 May 2025: Bill introduced.
  2. 24 June 2025: First reading.
  3. 24 June 2025: Select Committee, including public consultation.
  4. 20 November 2025: Second reading.
  5. WE ARE HERE Committee of Whole House.
  6. Third Reading.
  7. Royal Assent (this is when the Bill becomes law).

GAC Updates

GAC Resources

Learn more about HOSI

Page last updated 26 November 2025