65 - Lower Thomas River
65 - Lower Thomas River is a 5,645 ha balloted Roar block in the South Westland - Weheka permit area. Elevations run from 21 m on the lower flats to 1,464 m on the highest ground, with a median around 620 m.
This is lowland and bush country, with only 4% of the block above the 1,200 m bushline. The dominant aspect is south, so the bush faces sit shaded for much of the day.
It carries red deer, tahr and chamois, though the lower-altitude profile means red deer through the bush is the realistic focus, with tahr and chamois confined to the limited high ground.
Open 65 - Lower Thomas River on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 18,702 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 21–1,464 m
- Median elevation
- 620 m
- Middle 50%
- 267–931 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 4%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- south-facing
21–1,464 m, foothill country with low tops, leaning south-facing.
What you can hunt here
This is a balloted roar block — the red deer roar peaks from late March into April, and competition for the block is highest then.
Access & getting there
Air access is not permitted on this block, so parties walk in from the road end. WARO is permitted on the block.
Thomas River Hut sits within the block in the Haast, Paringa and Moeraki rivers area, with heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and water from the stream. It's not bookable, so factor in the chance of others using it and carry tent gear as backup.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Balloted Roar block block in the South Westland - Weheka permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
A DOC hunting permit is required. As a Balloted Roar block, the roar period needs ballot entry through the South Westland - Weheka system. Outside the roar the block is Permitted on a standard DOC permit.
1080 & pesticide status
No current, planned or proposed pesticide operations intersect this block in our data. Always confirm with DOC before taking a dog in.
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