Hurunui Mainland Island restricted
Hurunui Mainland Island is an 8,051 ha public hunting block in Lake Sumner Forest Park, Canterbury. Elevations run from around 624 m on the valley floors up to 1,800 m on the tops, with a median of about 1,156 m.
The block works as a mix of bush and tops — roughly 44% of the ground sits above the 1,200 m bushline, and about 10% pushes into true alpine country above 1,500 m. Slopes lean north, which gives sunny faces on the dominant aspect for glassing in the morning and afternoon.
The species list is red deer, chamois and wild pig. Hurunui country gives reds through the beech and river margins, chamois on the broken tops, and pigs through the lower scrub.
Open Hurunui Mainland Island restricted on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 25,636 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 624–1,800 m
- Median elevation
- 1,156 m
- Middle 50%
- 925–1,354 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 44%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 10%
- Dominant aspect
- north-facing
624–1,800 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning north-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted, which helps cut the approach into the headwaters from the Hurunui valley. WARO is also permitted on the block.
Three huts serve hunters in this part of Lake Sumner Forest Park. Upper South Branch Hurunui Hut has heating, a non-flush toilet and stream water. Camerons Hut has the same setup — heating, a non-flush toilet and stream water. Hurunui No. 3 Hut is the better-equipped option with heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and tap water (not treated — boil before use). None of the three are bookable.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, 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 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 Hurunui Mainland Island. This block is flagged as restricted — entry conditions, dog rules or seasonal closures may apply on top of the standard Canterbury permit, so check the current permit conditions carefully before you go. It's an Ordinary block with a Permitted status. Permits are free but must be carried 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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