A Herd of Special Interest (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.

The Game Animal Council (GAC) Act 2013 provides for HOSI to be designated by the Minister. For a HOSI to be designated, the Minister needs to be satisfied that the game animal herd can be managed both for hunting purposes and that the management of the herd will be consistent with the wider conservation framework.  


HOSI is a key focus for the GAC. It signals the first shift in New Zealand where the value of a game animal herd can be recognised, and directly influence how that herd is managed on public conservation land.

Background 

While the ability for the Minister to designate a HOSI has existed since the GAC Act was established in 2013, no HOSI has ever been designated. The reasons for this are complex and include political considerations, insufficient resources and lack of a formal process for considering proposals and developing a herd management plan.

Since 2022, the GAC and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have been working on establishing processes and tools so that HOSI may be proposed and considered for designation by the Minister.

How HOSI is different to current management 

Currently, wild animals including wild deer, pigs, tahr, chamois and goats are managed by DOC under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 for the purpose of ensuring “concerted action against damaging effects of wild animals on vegetation, soils, waters, and wildlife”. This means that DOC manages wild animals to minimise their impacts on the environment. 

Current work is funded and managed through DOC. In some cases, DOC has community agreements in place where wild animal management is carried out and funded by another organisation. 

HOSI management is where game animals (deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs) that are valued by hunters in specified areas of public conservation land, are managed for the benefit of both hunting and conservation.

The GAC Act enables the Minister to delegate day-to-day management of HOSI to the GAC. Funding and implementation of HOSI management may be community-led. 

The HOSI process 

Individuals, groups, and organisations will have an opportunity to submit/provide feedback on any HOSI herd management plans. Broadly speaking, the HOSI process will follow these steps: 

  1. Initial consideration on whether to progress a HOSI designation – the Minister will receive advice from key parties on whether animals are of special interest to hunters and can be managed for hunting purposes before determining whether a herd management plan should be drafted for a particular herd.
    • Key parties include the GAC, DOC, any relevant regional council, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, any relevant conservation board and any other representative organisation(s) the Minister considers appropriate. 
  2. Drafting of a herd management plan – a draft herd management plan that is consistent with existing conservation legislation will be prepared. 
    • Key parties are consulted as part of development of the draft. This may include seeking advice on proposed delegation of HOSI management powers to the GAC and funding. 
  3. Public consultation – the draft herd management plan will be released for public consultation. 
    • Officials will support the Minister to analyse submissions and consider feedback. 
    • The GAC will support the Minister by providing advice and recommendations. 
  4. Designation – the Minister will decide whether to designate a HOSI, implement the herd management plan and any relevant delegations of powers to the GAC. This will be formalised by the Minister through the Gazette notice process. 

Implementation and reviews of the herd management plan will follow. The herd management plan must be reviewed at intervals of not more than five years. 

Current HOSI proposals

Sika 

In August 2024, the GAC decided to endorse the development of a Sika HOSI proposal in collaboration with the Central North Island Sika Foundation (CNISF). This decision was made following a Council evaluation of whether the Sika HOSI idea, presented by the CNISF, is likely to meet the first two requirements of a HOSI designation (the animals are of special interest to hunters and the animals can be managed for hunting purposes). The GAC considers that substantial benefits to hunters, the local community, conservation and for achieving wild animal management cost efficiencies, can be gained by managing the sika herd for hunting purposes. The GAC will continue to work with the CNISF and DOC to progress a Sika HOSI proposal. 

Wapiti 

The GAC has been working with the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) to explore a Wapiti HOSI proposal, including discussions with DOC. The next steps for the GAC include evaluating whether a Wapiti HOSI is likely to meet the first two requirements of a HOSI designation (the animals are of special interest to hunters and the animals can be managed for hunting purposes). 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

See a list of frequently asked questions about HOSI here.