Havelock
Havelock is a 23,846 ha public hunting block in Canterbury, taking in country between Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park and the upper Rangitata and Rakaia valleys. Elevations climb from 571 m to 2,786 m with a median of 1,516 m, so the average ground already sits above the bushline.
With 77% of the block above the 1,200 m bushline and 51% above the 1,500 m alpine line, this is predominantly alpine country — long tussock spurs, scree faces and rock bluffs above scattered bush remnants in the side creeks. Slopes lean predominantly south-east, which means faces stay cooler longer into the day and snow patches can hang on into spring.
The species list — red deer, tahr, chamois and wild pig — covers the full range of South Island public-land game. Reds work the bush edges and side gullies, tahr and chamois live on the upper faces and bluffs, and pigs turn up at the lower bush margins.
Open Havelock on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 77,547 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 571–2,786 m
- Median elevation
- 1,516 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,229–1,781 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 77%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 51%
- Dominant aspect
- south-east-facing
571–2,786 m, predominantly alpine, leaning south-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted, which is the realistic way into much of the upper country given the altitude. WARO is also active across the block, so commercial recovery helicopters may be working the same faces — particularly on deer and chamois.
The hut network is extensive. Dog Kennel Bivvy sits in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park (mattresses, non-flush toilet, stream water). The Rangitata and Rakaia rivers area side adds Carney's Bivvy No. 1, Carney's Bivvy No. 2, St Winifreds Hut (heating, lighting, non-flush toilet, tap water — boil before use), Forbes Bivvy, Mistake Flat Hut, Murphy's Bivvy, Veil Biv, Growler Hut and Curtis Memorial Hut. Most have heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and stream water; none are bookable, so hunters should carry a fly or tent in case huts are full.
Huts & campsites
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
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 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 for Havelock. The block is an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so it is part of the standard Canterbury permit system rather than a ballot block. Permits are free and must be carried while hunting.
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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