HOSI FAQs

Frequently asked questions about herds of special interest (HOSI):

What is a HOSI?
What law governs game animal management?
When did HOSI start?
Why is HOSI needed?
How is HOSI different to current management?
How can HOSI benefit New Zealand?
Which herds can be designated as HOSI?
What does ‘of special interest to hunters’ mean?
What does ‘managed for hunting purposes’ mean?
How does HOSI fit with conservation?
Is this about protecting game animals?
Will HOSI mean hunting is restricted?
Will it cost to hunt a HOSI?
Will HOSI impact other landholders?
Will a HOSI affect activities and access for non-hunters?

1. What is a HOSI?

A herd of special interest (HOSI) is a legal mechanism under the Game Animal Council Act 2013 that allows the Minister for Hunting and Fishing to designate a herd of game animals on public conservation land to be managed for hunting purposes, while continuing to protect the natural conservation values of the area.

2. What law governs game animal management?

Management of game animals on public conservation land is governed by the Wild Animal Control Act 1977. This means they are managed for control, eradication, and extermination.

Management of game animals that are designated as a herd of special interest by the Minister is transferred to the Game Animal Council Act 2013. This means they are managed for hunting purposes while continuing to protect the natural conservation values of the area.

3. When did HOSI start?

The ability for the Minister for Hunting and Fishing to designate a herd of special interest (HOSI) has existed since the Game Animal Council Act 2013 was established.

HOSI is a new approach to managing game animals, which required establishment of policy, resourcing, and formal processes. The Game Animal Council and Department of Conservation have been working on processes and tools so that HOSI may be proposed and considered for designation since 2022. In 2026, the first HOSI was designated.

4. Why is HOSI needed?

Wild deer, pigs, tahr, and chamois are valued for food, recreation, or economic purposes. New Zealand’s current approach to game animal management focuses solely on control and eradication and doesn’t recognise this value to the hunting community or their importance to New Zealand.

Hunter’s annual harvest of game animals was estimated in 2025 to be more than 350,000, far exceeding that of government control. Sustainable management cannot be achieved without hunters, but the current approach disincentivises them from supporting management efforts and fails to recognise the value of these herds to New Zealand.

Herds of special interest (HOSI) enables a new approach, one that supports and empowers hunter and community led game animal management and conservation efforts.

Through the HOSI model, we can promote sustainable, responsible, and collaborative environmental stewardship while maximising the benefits game animals provide to New Zealand.

5. How is HOSI different to current management?

Current management:

Considered wild animals and managed through Wild Animal Control Act 1977.
Managed by the Department of Conservation.
Focus on control, eradication and extermination of wild animals on public conservation land.
Only considers hunters as a tool to achieve control, eradication or extermination of game animals.
Does not consider the value of the animal to community.
Nationally based conservation goals and actions.
Relies on government funding.
Creates uncertainty for hunter and community led organisations.
Single focus on reducing quantity of animals as far as possible.

Herds of special interest management:

Considered game animals and managed through the Game Animal Council Act 2013.
Management can be delegated to the Game Animal Council under Game Animal Council Act 2013 or retained by the Minister. Hunter led management is supported and empowered such as through foundations.
Game animals are valued and sustainably managed for their hunting values.
Considers hunters as both users and stewards of public lands and empowers hunters to take an active role in game animal management to support local outcomes.
Considers the value of the animal to hunters and wider community, supporting local community wellbeing.
Site specific conservation goals and actions to achieve specific goals.
Mixed model with cost recovery options and encourages external investment.
Provides certainty for hunter and community led organisations undertaking management and conservation.
Focus on quality and quantity of animals to ensure healthy hunting resource and better conservation outcomes.

6. How can HOSI benefit New Zealand?

Benefit: Community supported and led game animal management. How? Empowering community, iwi and hunters to lead game animal management in a way that supports local outcomes.
Benefit: Improved conservation outcomes. How? Highly valued game animal populations maintained at levels that support regeneration of indigenous vegetation.
Benefit: Improved hunting outcomes. How? Higher quality animals supporting a range of hunting values.
Benefit: Recreational, health and wellbeing and economic outcomes. How? High-quality sustainable hunting experiences and opportunities.
Benefit: Reducing reliance on government funding. How? Expansion of voluntary conservation and game animal management programmes with cost recovery and external investment.

7. Which herds can be designated as a HOSI?

Any herd of game animals on public conservation land may be designated as a herd of special interest (HOSI) if it is:

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.

8. What does ‘of special interest to hunters’ mean?

To be designated a herd of special interest (HOSI), the Minister must be satisfied that the herd is ‘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 Game Animal Council, ‘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.
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. This includes contributions to charitable initiatives that provide services to communities and the land.
The Game Animal Council has created a policy to support Council decisions on whether to endorse a HOSI proposal as ‘of special interest to hunters’. Read more about it here.

9. What does ‘managed for hunting purposes’ mean?

For a herd to be designated as a herd of special interest (HOSI), the Minister must be satisfied that it can be managed for hunting purposes.

For the Game Animal Council, ‘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.

10. How does HOSI fit with conservation?

A herd of special interest (HOSI) is fundamentally about managing a herd of game animals for hunting purposes, while continuing to protect conservation values.

The management of a HOSI is set out in a herd management plan 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’.

Herd management plans must be reviewed at intervals of no 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.

11. Is this about protecting game animals?

The designation of herds as a herd of special interest (HOSI) is about recognising the value of the herd and emphasising proactive and sustainable herd management to achieve high-quality hunting outcomes alongside conservation, community and economic benefits. Sustainable management will often require targeted removal of animals – often female focused – to deliver healthier animals for hunting purposes, alongside conservation outcomes.

12. Will HOSI mean hunting is restricted?

Access is one of the top issues for hunters. Herds of special interest (HOSI) is management for hunting purposes which means that changes to access have to improve hunting opportunities or experiences within that HOSI.

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. However, if this was being considered, hunters would be engaged and feedback would be sought.

13. Will it cost to hunt a HOSI?

In some cases, but not all. Fees for hunting an animal that is part of a herd of special interest (HOSI) may be considered. Any proposed fees would be publicly consulted on, and individuals, groups, and organisations will have opportunities to provide feedback.

14. Will HOSI impact other landholders?

No. A herd of special interest (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 game 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.

15. Will a HOSI affect activities and access for non-hunters?

No. Herds of special interest (HOSI) designations do not relate to or affect other activities on public conservation land. Existing rules and requirements preventing hunting near huts and tracks and other conditions of permits will be reflected in HOSI designations.