Herds of Special Interest

The Game Animal Council Act 2013 provides for Herds of Special Interest to be designated by the Minister of Conservation and the Game Animal Council.

All the Minister’s powers regarding management of Herds of Special Interest may be delegated to the Game Animal Council, except for the powers to capture, convey, or liberate animals that are part of a Herd of Special Interest.

Supporting the Minister to designate herds of special interest is a key goal of the GAC. We believe Herds of Special Interest provide the opportunity to manage specific game animals for the benefit of hunting, the game animal habitat and conservation.

Hunters have indicated a number of herds that could potentially be designated including Fiordland wapiti and Central North Island sika.