Hawkes Bay Reserves
Hawkes Bay Reserves is a 3,049-hectare assemblage of reserves in the Hawke's Bay region, scattered across the country fringing Ruahine Forest Park and the wider Hawke's Bay hill country. Elevations run from 325 m to 1,011 m with a median of 690 m, so this is hill country country well below the bushline.
The block runs predominantly north-west, with strong south-east, east and south aspects giving a varied mix of sun and shade. Expect bush-clad ridge and gully country typical of the Ruahine front and inland Hawke's Bay.
The block carries red deer, wild goat and wild pig. For sika hunters this is red deer and pig country rather than the classic Kaweka/Kaimanawa sika ground further inland.
Open Hawkes Bay Reserves on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 8,838 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 325–1,011 m
- Median elevation
- 690 m
- Middle 50%
- 612–767 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- north-west-facing
325–1,011 m, foothill country with low tops, leaning north-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is not permitted on the reserves, and access is walk-in. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are permitted, so commercial helicopter shooting can be expected at times.
Poutaki Hut sits within the reserves, in Ruahine Forest Park. It is non-bookable and offers heating, a non-flush toilet and tap water (untreated, boil before use). There are no DOC campsites listed within the block.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, 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 Hawkes Bay Reserves permit area, with a hunting status of Restricted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
A DOC hunting permit is required for the Hawkes Bay Reserves permit area, covering this Ordinary block. The block has Restricted hunt status — additional conditions, restrictions or limits on hunter numbers may apply, and as several of the parcels are reserves, hunters must read the permit conditions carefully before applying.
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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