The Haurangi (Aorangi) Recreational Hunting Area (RHA) is located within the Aorangi Forest Park in the southern Wairarapa, east of Wellington and south-east of Lake Wairarapa. The RHA covers the whole of the park.

The park is officially known as Aorangi Forest Park. The surrounding ranges have also historically been referred to as the Haurangi Range, and the RHA retains this name.

The area consists of rugged hill country, river valleys and coastal ranges extending towards Cape Palliser.

RHAs are areas of public conservation land where recreational hunters can enjoy and harvest meat without commercial competition. They were formally gazetted between the early and mid-1980s, following the hugely successful commercial recovery boom.

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Plan your hunt

The GAC Better Hunting Multi-Map tool can help you plan a hunt in the Haurangi (Aorangi) RHA. It’s a one-stop-shop for links to weather forecasting, vegetation, pesticide operations, access and more.

Haurangi RHA on Multi-Map

Species present

Red deer are the main target species in the Haurangi (Aorangi) RHA. Other huntable species present include:

  • Fallow deer
  • Wild pigs
  • Feral goats

Permit required

The Haurangi (Aorangi) RHA is covered by an open area hunting permit. You can get an open hunting permit here.

Key access points

  • Haurangi Road. Access to Waikuku Lodge and Sutherlands Hut.
  • Whakatomotomo Road. Walking access to upper Turanganui River and Sutherlands Hut.
  • White Rock Road. Walking access up Castle River.
  • Kaiwaka Road. Walking access up Poley Stream.
  • Whatarangi Road. Walking access to Hurupi and Pinnacles Streams.
  • Cape Palliser Road. Walking access to Washpool Hut and Mangatoetoe Hut areas.
  • Makotukutuku Stream (Washpool Hut). Permission required from Farman Turkington Forestry +64 274 48 8810
  • Pararaki Stream (Pararaki Hut). Permission required – more information here.

Helicopter access may occur in the wider Aorangi Forest Park on a limited basis, but there are no designated aircraft landing sites and most hunting access into the RHA is by road end and on foot.

Please refer to the WAMS maps (walking access) on the Multi-Map tool for more information on access.

Huts

The Haurangi (Aorangi) contains a network of huts managed by DOC. Huts in and bordering the RHA include:

Forest and terrain

The Haurangi (Aorangi) RHA is dominated by mixed podocarp–broadleaf and regenerating native forest, with large areas of kānuka and mānuka shrubland, particularly in previously cleared or regenerating areas. In more sheltered valleys and lower elevations, species such as tawa, rimu and other broadleaf species are present.

There are no true alpine environments within the RHA. However, the terrain includes open ridgelines, coastal tops and exposed hill country, which can provide some opportunities for glassing.

The terrain is typically steep, dry and broken, with a mix of narrow ridges, deep stream catchments and coastal faces. Hunting is generally bush based, with some more open country on ridgelines and in regenerating areas.

Tips for hunting Haurangi (Aorangi) RHA

The Tauanui Valley in the north of the RHA is noted for deer. The Washpool-Pararaki-Kawakawa-Mangatoetoe hut chain is a popular tramping route and also provides useful access through the southern part of the RHA for hunters moving through the Makotukutuku/Washpool valley and adjoining country over multiple days.

Local hunting information also points to the Sutherlands Hut area as easily reached and holding good numbers of deer.

Please be aware of the three adjoining areas where hunting is prohibited – Pūtangirua Pinnacles and Campsite area, area south of Tūranganui Rver, Waikuku Lodge area.

A Facebook group exists to share information on hunting in Haurangi (Aorangi) RHA – Aorangi Forest Park Hunters.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted in the Forest Park but must be under the control of the owner at all times. Access for dogs via private land is by permission from the landowner only.

Local NZDA branches

The strong advocacy of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) was key to the establishment of these areas and the creation of RHAs remains one of the important achievements of organised recreational hunting advocacy in New Zealand.

Local branches include:

Local DOC office

Whakatū/Nelson DOC Visitor Centre provides information for this area