The Minister for Hunting and Fishing is currently consulting on draft herd management plans for New Zealand’s first ever Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) – the proposed Sika HOSI in the Central North Island and Wapiti HOSI in Fiordland.
HOSI represents a new approach to the management of New Zealand’s most valued game animal herds. It is intended to be locally grounded and designed to integrate hunting and conservation – aiming for enhanced hunting experiences along with improved conservation outcomes.
A key driver of success for HOSI is genuine community direction and partnership, so it’s essential that hunters, local communities, conservation groups and other key stakeholders take the time to have their say.
Submissions close 8 December 2025.
What’s in the draft herd management plans
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has supported the Minister in drafting herd management plans for the proposed Sika and Wapiti HOSI.
Game animal management is a much broader approach than the current ‘control only’ approach. To help DOC develop herd management plans informed by this wider perspective, the GAC provided a values-based framework that reflects the core principles of game animal management.
The below information has been pulled directly from the DOC website.
The Sika HOSI Draft Herd Management Plan:
- Seeks to manage deer numbers at a level that enhances the recreational hunting experience, including the opportunity to hunt healthier animals.
- Seeks to manage deer numbers at a level that improves natural biodiversity and forest regeneration.
- Includes ways to manage recreational hunting, build partnerships and community stewardship, carry out professional deer control and meat recovery, and track social and environmental impacts.
View Sika HOSI Draft Herd Management Plan here
View Sika HOSI Draft Herd Management Plan Support Document here
The Wapiti HOSI Draft Herd management Plan:
- Seeks to maintain deer numbers at a level that enhances the recreational wapiti hunting experience, including the opportunity to hunt healthier animals.
- Seeks to maintain deer numbers at a level that improves natural biodiversity and prevents the loss of native species from their current range.
- Includes ways to manage recreational hunting, build partnerships and community stewardship, carry out professional deer control and meat recovery, and track social and environmental impacts.
View Wapiti HOSI Draft Herd Management Plan here
View Wapiti HOSI Draft Herd Management Plan Support Document here
Making your submission
Visit the DOC submission portals for:
Click the ‘Make a submission’ button and comment in the online form. See DOC’s guide on making an online submission here.
Tips for making a strong submission
- Be specific. Refer to particular objectives, sections or proposals if you can.
- Explain why something matters.
- Share your experience as a hunter, volunteer, business owner, community member or conservationist.
- Be constructive. Highlight what you support as well as what could be improved.
Watch a short video on HOSI: