Status: Phase two-statutory consultation

In phase two of the HOSI (Herds of Special Interest) process, the Minister will receive advice from key parties on whether the animals are of special interest to hunters and can be managed for hunting purposes. A draft herd management plan that is consistent with existing conservation legislation will be prepared and key parties will be consulted as part of this development. The draft herd management plan will be released for public consultation and revised accordingly. Learn more about the HOSI process here.

Latest update: In November – December 2025 the Minister for Hunting and Fishing consulted on a draft herd management plan for the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation’s Wapiti HOSI.

Find out more:

Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill

To support the Wapiti HOSI, the Government has introduced a Bill to Parliament that seeks to clarify the law, to enable the Minister for Hunting and Fishing to establish a HOSI in a national park and therefore exempt the herd from extermination or eradication requirements under conservation legislation. Learn more about the Bill here.

Comment from the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation

It’s been a long time coming.

The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) was founded in 1993 and gained prominence in 2004 with the release of the Fiordland National Park’s draft management plan review. At that time, the plan did not include recognition of the Fiordland wapiti herd. A historic moment occurred when the FWF secured an agreement with the Director-General of Conservation to manage deer impacts in Fiordland’s wapiti area.

The initial management action taken by the FWF surprised the hunting community. The FWF had fundraised and organised a culling operation in Fiordland, resulting in the removal of several hundred deer. This shook the foundations of recreational and professional hunting in New Zealand.

At the time, the FWF’s decision marked the start of a new phase in hunter-led conservation in New Zealand. A hunting group exclusively managing deer numbers in a national park, supported and funded by hunters for conservation outcomes.

This marked the start of what is now referred to as a Herd of Special Interest. The FWF started managing a herd of deer on public land for hunters to hunt while ensuring conservation values are protected.

The FWF also undertakes other conservation projects, but its success will be judged by its management of deer numbers in Fiordland’s wapiti area.

Designated herd of special interest.

The FWF has faced significant uncertainty over the past 14 months. The judicial review initiated by Forest & Bird has hit us very hard, requiring us to allocate significant financial resources and time away from our primary responsibilities of managing deer populations and conservation in Fiordland. Furthermore, it challenges the very principles upon which we pride ourselves. The work we do in Fiordland that no one else has accomplished. 

The FWF is optimistic about the future. We are a strong team, and our work benefits not only hunters but also Fiordland National Park.

When a formal Herd of Special Interest is endorsed by the national government, the security from that will certainly benefit hunters in New Zealand and Fiordland National Park.

Fiordland Wapiti Foundation General Manager,

Roy Sloan. 

Timeline

Phase one (completed):

  • March 2024: The GAC met with the FWF to outline the draft process for establishing a HOSI.
  • March 2024: The GAC received a letter from the FWF of their intent to develop a Wapiti HOSI proposal.
  • July 2024 – November 2024: The GAC worked with the FWF, and with advice from DOC, to explore a what a Wapiti HOSI might look like and to support the preparation of their application to develop a full HOSI proposal.
  • November 2024: The GAC endorsed the FWF’s application to develop a full Wapiti HOSI proposal.
  • November 2024 – March 2025: The GAC worked with the FWF, and with advice from DOC, to support the preparation of a full Wapiti HOSI proposal.
  • March 2025: The GAC endorsed the FWF full HOSI proposal, sending a letter of support for this HOSI proposal to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing.
  • May 2025: The Minister for Hunting and Fishing announced his acceptance of the Wapiti HOSI proposal and decision to enter the proposal into the statutory consultation phase of the HOSI process.

Phase two (estimated timeline):

  • May 2025 – August 2025: Advice from key parties and development of draft herd management plan.
  • November – December 2025: Public consultation on the draft herd management plan.
  • November 2025 – March 2026: Revision of herd management plan.
  • April 2026 – July 2026: Ministerial decisions.

Learn more about HOSI

Page last updated 12 December 2025