See information on the background of HOSI, the HOSI process and current HOSI proposals here.
What does ‘of special interest to hunters’ mean?
‘Of special interest to hunters’ may vary. The Minister is required to have regard to the advice of a range of parties when considering whether animals are ‘of special interest to hunters’. It could be the history of the herd, the environment in which they live, or unique behaviours and characteristics, which make the animals special to hunters.
For the GAC, ‘of special interest to hunters’ includes things like:
- Hunting opportunity – the herd already provides significant hunting opportunities, or improved management of the herd can improve or secure the amount or quality of those opportunities.
- Hunting purpose – the herd currently provides for the sustained availability of quality animals, or improved management will enhance the quality or availability of animals within the herd for the purpose of hunting.
- Historical significance or uniqueness – the herd is of historical significance or maintains unique attributes and improved management can protect these unique attributes.
- Economic benefits – the herd generates significant economic benefits, and/or improved management can provide, maintain, or enhance significant economic benefits.
The GAC has created a policy to support Council decisions on whether to endorse a HOSI proposal as ‘of special interest to hunters’ or not.
What does ‘managed for hunting purposes’ mean?
The Minister is required to have regard to the advice of a range of parties when considering whether animals can be ‘managed for hunting purposes’. This could be:
- To maintain a healthy population of animals with a specific herd composition (for example, a specific ratio of young to old, males to females) that produces the animal traits (hides, meat, antlers etc) that hunters value, and
- To manage or coordinate hunting demand.
Will hunting in a HOSI be restricted?
A HOSI could result in localised management of hunter access in some areas. For example, by introducing ballot and block type systems (or existing ballot and block areas incorporated within a HOSI system). This would be considered during the development of a draft herd management plan and be subject to input through public consultation before any decision to designate a HOSI.
If any new ballot and block systems are introduced, they are likely to resemble existing approaches where large areas are divided into smaller parcels or blocks, within which access or hunting is managed at specific times of the year to ensure improved herd and hunter outcomes.
Will it cost to hunt a HOSI?
Fees may be considered if required to cover administration costs or to help with herd management if a hunter wants to take a certain animal (for example, a trophy stag versus a female for meat). Any proposed fees to hunt HOSI animals would be publicly consulted on, and individuals, groups, and organisations will have opportunities to provide feedback.
How does HOSI fit with conservation?
Herd management plans must be consistent with New Zealand’s current conservation framework when managing these animals. These are called overriding considerations and are set out in the GAC Act. Overriding considerations include:
- The welfare and management of public conservation land and resources generally,
- Statements of relevant conservation or national parks general policy,
- Applicable wild animal control plans made under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977,
- And relevant plans made under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
These will be considered and addressed during HOSI proposal development and designation processes.
Herd management plans must be reviewed at intervals of not more than five years. If amendments to the herd management plan are required, the Minister must undertake consultation in the same format as the initial development of the herd management plan.
Why is a HOSI needed?
Wild deer, pigs, tahr, and chamois are valued for food, sporting, or business purposes. New Zealand’s current conservation framework generally seeks to reduce the impacts of wild animals, along with other threats, on public conservation land to maintain and enhance forest regeneration and indigenous ecosystem protection rather than specific herd management for hunting purposes. A HOSI designation would allow management of game animals for hunting purposes, while ensuring conservation values continue to be protected.
How will HOSI impact other landowners/managers?
A HOSI can only be designated on public conservation land. The designation of a HOSI on public conservation land will not affect landowners or managers’ ability to control wild animals on their own land.
Once a designated game animal leaves a HOSI area, it will no longer be subject to any relevant HOSI herd management plan. Instead, it will be managed in accordance with the Wild Animal Control Act 1977.
HOSI animals within the specified HOSI area will be managed in accordance with the relevant herd management plan and would influence DOC and other groups’ ability to undertake control work. However, as part of managing herds of special interest, the Minister may exercise or delegate powers under Section 18(1)(j) of the GAC Act to manage and control the size of the population.
How will a HOSI affect activities and access for non-hunters?
HOSI designations do not relate to or affect other activities on public conservation land. As they currently do, non-hunters may choose to avoid major hunting areas during key hunting periods, if these areas are designated as part of a HOSI.
Existing rules and requirements preventing hunting near huts and tracks and other conditions of permits will be reflected in HOSI designations.