68 - Lower Moeraki (Blue River)
68 - Lower Moeraki (Blue River) is a 3,450 ha balloted Roar block in the South Westland - Weheka permit area. Elevations run from 114 m on the lower flats to 1,708 m on the highest ground, with a median around 657 m.
The block is a mix of bush and tops, with around 11% of the country above the 1,200 m bushline. The dominant aspect is north, giving the upper faces consistent sun through the day.
It carries red deer, tahr and chamois — reds through the bush and along the river margins, with tahr and chamois on the higher faces.
Open 68 - Lower Moeraki (Blue River) on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 11,382 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 114–1,708 m
- Median elevation
- 657 m
- Middle 50%
- 308–966 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 11%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 1%
- Dominant aspect
- north-facing
114–1,708 m, a mix of bush and tops, leaning north-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 valley. WARO is permitted, so commercial helicopter activity is part of the country outside the ballot period.
Horseshoe Flat Hut sits within the block in the Haast, Paringa and Moeraki rivers area, with heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and tap water (untreated — boil before use). It's not bookable, so plan around the chance of other users.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, 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 entry through the South Westland - Weheka ballot. 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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