FAQs on this page:

What is a HOSI?

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. Designation of HOSI is provided for through the Game Animal Council Act 2013.

How is HOSI different to current management?

Currently, wild animals including wild deer, pigs, tahr, chamois and goats are managed across all land by the Department of Conservation (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 Game Animal Council Act 2013 enables the Minister to delegate day-to-day management of HOSI to the Game Animal Council (GAC). Funding and implementation of HOSI management may be community-led.

What is the difference between a wild animal and a game animal?

  • Wild animals include deer, tahr, chamois, wild pigs and goats and are defined under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977.
  • Game animals are deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs and are defined under the Game Animal Council Act 2013.
  • Goats are not game animals.

Deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs are both ‘wild animals’ and ‘game animals’ under legislation, unless designated as a HOSI. Animals that are part of a HOSI are only game animals.

Which herds can be designated as a HOSI?

Any herd of game animals on public land may be designated as a HOSI if it meets the following criteria.

The herd must be:

  • Of special interest to hunters.
  • Able to be managed for hunting purposes, and
  • Able to be managed in a way that is consistent with the wider conservation framework.

The following three FAQs describe these criteria in more detail.

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: 

  1. 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. 
  2. 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. 
  3. Historical significance or uniqueness – the herd is of historical significance or maintains unique attributes and improved management can protect these unique attributes. 
  4. Economic benefits – the herd generates significant economic benefits, and/or improved management can provide, maintain, or enhance significant economic benefits. This includes contributions to charitable initiatives that provide services to communities and the land.

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. Read more about the GAC HOSI Policy here.

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’.

For the GAC, ‘can be managed for hunting purposes’ means there is the ability to achieve healthy populations that support sustainable hunting opportunities in a way that is both logistically and financially viable; while also protecting conservation values, ensuring positive social impacts, and allowing for measurable management outcomes. 

How does HOSI fit with conservation?

A HOSI is fundamentally about managing a herd of game animals for hunting purposes, while ensuring conservation values continue to be protected.

The management of a HOSI is set out in a herd management plan (HMP) that must be consistent with the wider conservation framework. The wider conservation framework includes things like:

  • 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.

Note: in the Game Animal Council Act 2013, the wider conservation framework is referred to as ‘overriding considerations’.

By being consistent with the wider conservation framework, HOSI management provides benefits to hunters and supports achieving relevant conservation goals.

HMPs must be reviewed at intervals of not more than five years. If amendments to the HMP are required, the Minister must undertake consultation in the same format as the initial development of the HMP.

Will HOSI mean hunting is restricted? 

A HOSI could result in localised management of hunter access in some areas to ensure improved herd and hunter outcomes. 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.

Will HOSI mean it will cost to hunt? 

Fees for hunting an animal that is part of a HOSI may be considered. Any proposed fees would be publicly consulted on, and individuals, groups, and organisations will have opportunities to provide feedback.

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 manage or 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 HOSI, 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.

Learn more about HOSI