Arawhata
Arawhata is a 29,244 ha Recreational Hunting Area in the Mount Aspiring National Park east of divide permit area, sitting on the West Coast side of the main divide. Elevations run from 88 m on the valley floor to 2,517 m on the tops, with a median around 1,292 m.
This is predominantly alpine country — 56% of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 36% pushes into ground above 1,500 m. The dominant aspect is north, so the main faces catch steady sun through the day.
It carries red deer, tahr and chamois. As an RHA it's set aside for recreational hunters, and the scale, the variety of country and the three-species mix make it serious West Coast hunting ground.
Open Arawhata on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 97,687 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 88–2,517 m
- Median elevation
- 1,292 m
- Middle 50%
- 895–1,668 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 56%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 36%
- Dominant aspect
- north-facing
88–2,517 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning north-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Air access is permitted, which opens the block's upper basins to parties who would otherwise face a long walk-in from the road end. WARO is also permitted, so the country sees commercial helicopter activity.
No huts or campsites are listed within the block. Parties typically fly in and tent up at the head of a side valley, then work the surrounding tops on foot.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a RHA block in the Mount Aspiring National Park east of divide permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
This block sits within a DOC air-access zone — fly-in hunting and helicopter drop-offs may be permitted.
A DOC hunting permit is required. As an RHA with Permitted status, there's no ballot — you apply through the standard Mount Aspiring National Park permit system. Carry the permit in the field.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
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