In July 2026, the Sika HOSI (Herd of Special Interest) was formally designated by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing.
This means that sika in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks are now legally recognised as game animals that are managed for hunting purposes as well as conservation outcomes, under the Game Animal Council Act 2013.
The NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) is responsible for delivering Sika HOSI management, working with The Sika Foundation to empower hunter-led management of the sika herd, and strengthen relationships with mana whenua to enable sharing of perspectives and enhance opportunities for involvement in sika management.
Management of sika within the Sika HOSI area is guided by the Sika HOSI herd management plan, with the Department of Conservation retaining lead responsibility for ecological monitoring and wider conservation activities in the Sika HOSI area.
The designation of the Sika HOSI is a significant milestone for the hunting sector. For the first time, the value of the sika herd to hunters and communities has been formally recognised, while HOSI provides an opportunity to manage the herd actively and sustainably for both its values and its impacts.
The overall aim of the Sika HOSI is to support a healthy and sustainable sika herd, provide a high-quality recreational hunting opportunities, enable hunters to participate in management, and reduce pressure on the forest environment. That means ensuring we get the balance right.
Sika HOSI management priorities
The first year of Sika HOSI management will focus on five key areas:
1. Recreational hunting management hunts
We will support and provide opportunities for recreational hunters to be actively involved in herd management, including through organised management hunts. Hunters will also be encouraged to contribute to the Sika Foundation’s sika jaw-collection programme and provide feedback on the health of the sika herd and their hunting experiences. Jaws provide valuable information about age, structure and condition of the herd and help inform future management decisions.
2. Monitoring and research
Monitoring this year will complete a baseline coverage across all management units within the Sika HOSI. Seedling monitoring will assess forest condition while faecal pellet counts will provide information on the relative abundance of and distribution of deer.
3. Targeted professional hind management
The HOSI model is based on adaptive management. We monitor the herd, the forest and hunter satisfaction, assess what is happening, undertake appropriate management, and then adjust our approach as the evidence develops.
Targeted professional herd management will only be undertaken in areas where monitoring shows that action is needed to reduce the sika population quickly and focus on female deer because this is the most effective way to influence population growth. It will complement – not replace – recreational hunting.
4. Building and strengthening relationships
The GAC and Sika Foundation will be working to build and strengthen relationships with hunters, mana whenua, local communities and other key stakeholders.
Hunter and mana whenua knowledge and feedback will help inform the scope, location, timing and delivery of management activities. Input from neighbouring landowners and land managers will help identify cross-boundary effects and opportunities for coordination.
Strong relationships and coordinated action will be essential to the long-term success of the Sika HOSI.
5. Developing a five- to ten-year operational strategy
We will develop a longer-term operational, monitoring and research approach informed by scientific evidence, hunter knowledge and experience. It will help ensure management and monitoring are carried out at the right time and in the right place, supporting improved high-quality hunting experiences while maintaining herd and habitat health.
The HOSI approach
Sika HOSI management will be science-informed, adaptive and responsive to changes in the herd, its habitat and the hunter experience.
We will monitor the herd, forest condition and hunter satisfaction; assess what the information tells us; undertake appropriate management; and adjust our approach as we learn more.
Hunter engagement and support will be a key part of the Sika HOSI’s success.
We will work closely with hunters on herd management and seek their insights into herd health, hunter satisfaction and the overall hunting experience. This information, alongside scientific monitoring and research, will help shape management that provides for hunters while continuing to protect conservation values.
Staying updated
Opportunities to get involved and updates on the progress of Sika HOSI management will be shared on the GAC and Sika Foundation’s channels, including a new Sika HOSI email newsletter. You can sign up for the newsletter here.
Other ways to get involved include targeting hinds, taking part in the Sika Foundation’s sika jaw data collection programme, supporting the Sika Foundation, and letting us know how your sika hunting has been. We are looking into how we can collect information about your hunting experiences. Until this is finalised, any and all feedback on your Sika HOSI hunts is welcomed through media@nzgac.org.nz.