Godley - Macaulay
Godley - Macaulay is a 24,603 ha public hunting block in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, sitting high in the eastern Southern Alps above the Tekapo headwaters. Elevations run from around 830 m on the valley floors up to 2,792 m on the peaks, with a median of about 1,640 m.
This is a predominantly alpine block — 87% of the ground sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 63% is above 1,500 m. Hunters are looking at extensive tussock tops, scree, glacial valleys and bluffy faces, with bush a minor feature on the lowest ground. Slopes lean west, so afternoon sun and exposure to the prevailing weather are real factors.
Five species are listed: red deer, fallow deer, tahr, chamois and wallaby. The combination of high alpine ground, glacial-fed valleys and a strong tahr population make this one of the standout South Canterbury blocks for a serious alpine trip.
Open Godley - Macaulay on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 80,264 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 828–2,792 m
- Median elevation
- 1,639 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,353–1,896 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 87%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 63%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
828–2,792 m, predominantly alpine, leaning west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Air access is permitted, including helicopters, and on a block this size with this much alpine ground a charter drop is the realistic way in for most parties. WARO is also permitted, so commercial helicopters may be working the same valleys.
Two huts sit within the block, both in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park. Macaulay Hut has cooking facilities, heating, mattresses, lighting, a non-flush toilet and tap water (not treated — boil before use). Red Stag Hut has mattresses, lighting, a non-flush toilet and the same tap water setup but no heating. Neither is bookable. Most parties will fly camp into the head basins for the kind of country this block is known for.
Huts & campsites
Cooking, Heating, Mattresses, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Mattresses, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Cooking, Heating, Mattresses, Lighting, 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 Ordinary block in the Canterbury 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 to hunt Godley - Macaulay. It's an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so permits are issued through the standard Canterbury process rather than a ballot. Permits are free but must be carried.
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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