17 February 2026

Rakiura/Stewart Island white-tailed deer have been significantly impacted following aerial toxic control operations. These operations were undertaken to protect the pukunui/southern New Zealand dotterel and investigate the feasibility of possum, rat and feral cat eradication on the island, across 43,100 hectares of Rakiura.

The operations trialled the use of deer repellent and monitoring was undertaken by the Bioeconomy Science Institute (formally Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research). Results showed a 97% decrease in white-tailed deer activity where deer repellent was not applied and a 75% decrease in activity where the repellent was applied.

NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) CEO Corina Jordan says the Rakiura white-tailed herd is highly valued, being one of only two herds in the South Pacific.

“An estimated 3,500 hunters travel to Rakiura annually to not only hunt, but to experience the unique and exciting Rakiura environment. Visiting hunters also provide an important contribution to the local economy,” she says.

Maps showing the trail camera monitoring results for white-tailed deer before and after the operation
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“Hunters are committed to protecting conservation values but there remains concern around the use of toxic control agents and their impact on game animals and hunting.

“The result of these operations across a quarter of the island is incredibly heartbreaking for the white-tailed deer and the communities that value them.”

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has advised that predator control operations will be paused for the rest of the year while next steps are considered.

“The GAC is committed to liaising with DOC and working with others to support a future where conservation values are protected, and a healthy white-tailed deer herd that provides quality hunting opportunities remains available on Rakiura,” Corina says.

Advice previously provided by the GAC raised concerns about the likely impact of aerial toxins on white-tailed deer and that it is not legal to target deer using aerial toxins.

“1080 operations have previously been found to cause significant mortality to deer and the Rakiura white-tailed herd was likely to be more susceptible due to their smaller body size and typical forest floor foraging behaviour.

“While the application of deer repellent appears to have slightly lowered the operation’s impact on deer where it was used, it still indicates that deer repellent is not effective for Rakiura white-tailed deer.

“We have been liaising with Predator Free Rakiura project leaders since mid-2024, raising concerns in relation to the impact of toxin use for predator control on the white-tailed deer, hunter and community values.”

New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, the Rakiura Whitetail Trust, and Rakiura Hunter Camps Trust have also been part of these discussions.

“The GAC is advocating for ongoing monitoring and exploration of effective predator control methods that support hunter, recreation, economic, and community values,” Corina says.

The Bioeconomy Science Institute Rakiura report is available here: Impact of aerial 1080 baiting with deer-repellent and standard bait on white-tailed deer on Rakiura / Stewart Island

White-tailed herd of national significance

Introduced in 1905, the Rakiura white-tailed deer herd attracts thousands of hunters and visitors to the island every year as it provides a unique hunting challenge and wilderness experience in a remote environment.

The experience of hunting white-tailed deer on Rakiura is highly valued, with an estimated 3,500 hunters travelling there annually to not only hunt, but to experience the unique and exciting Rakiura environment.

Hunters largely support predator control where it results in improved outcomes for the environment, but there’s significant concern around the:

  • Amount and frequency that toxic control agents are being used.
  • Threat that toxins pose to game animals.
  • Impact toxins have on people’s ability to harvest meat.
  • Impact toxins have on economic hunting activity.

This sentiment has been echoed in the advice provided by the GAC during this project.

Overview of operations

Map showing camera grid locations and the operational area in relation to hunting blocks across the island
Click to expand

The operations were carried out as part of Predator Free Rakiura. They were undertaken by DOC as a standalone response to protecting the pukunui/southern New Zealand dotterel and used as a trial to investigate the feasibility of possum, rat and feral cat eradication on Rakiura.

Aerial toxins were used across predominantly central Rakiura 43,100 hectares of Rakiura, and this operation intersected with some designated hunting blocks and the open hunting area.

Repellent was trialled in three areas, with monitoring being undertaken four weeks prior to operations, and four weeks following operations. Monitoring was done using trail cameras that measured animal activity.

Results showed a 75% reduction in deer activity where deer repellent was trialled, and a 97% decrease in areas where deer repellent was not used.

It is unknown how many deer were present in the operational area prior to the toxin being used, therefore the total number of deer that have been impacted is also unknown.

GAC position

The GAC is generally supportive of predator control work that results in improvements to biodiversity and the natural environment, however we advocate for the use of tools that minimise impacts on deer and other game animals.

We have significant concerns about the impact that toxic control agents like 1080 have on game animals and hunters’ ability to harvest meat.

The GAC will continue advocating for:

  • A sustainable Rakiura white-tailed deer herd.
  • Consideration of hunter values in any predator free work.
  • Collaborative work programmes to ensure cross-sector coordination of predator control, deer management and other activities that may impact the local community, economy and recreational activities.
  • Predator control that does not use tools, mechanisms or approaches that negatively impact non-target species, either indigenous or valued introduced species such as white-tailed deer, local economies or recreational activities.
  • Proof of concept prior to any further toxin trials, to confirm feasibility of predator eradication on Rakiura.

Further reading and resources: