Kaimanawa Forest Park
Kaimanawa Forest Park is a very large 74,331-hectare public hunting block in the Kaimanawa Range, central North Island. The block is a mix of bush and tops, topping out at 1,693 m.
Elevations run from 455 m at the lower edges to 1,693 m at the high point, with a median of 987 m. Around 23% of the block sits above the bushline, with 2% in true alpine country above 1,500 m. Slopes lean north-west-facing on the whole.
Listed game is red deer, sika and wild pig. Work the bush faces and gully systems quietly, and push to the tops when conditions allow long-range glassing. This is one of the central North Island blocks that carries sika, so expect close-range, quiet stalking through dense bush rather than open-country glassing.
Open Kaimanawa Forest Park on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 211,686 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 455–1,693 m
- Median elevation
- 987 m
- Middle 50%
- 807–1,184 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 23%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 2%
- Dominant aspect
- north-west-facing
455–1,693 m, a mix of bush and tops, leaning north-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is not permitted, so hunting on the block is foot-based. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are permitted, so commercial helicopter operators may be working the wider area.
Huts inside the block include Cascade Hut, Waipakihi Hut, Boyd Hut and Oamaru Hut, giving parties a few options for a fixed base. There are also 7 DOC campsites recorded within the block.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
- Boyd HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Campsites: Waikoko Campsite, Urchin Campsite, Clements Clearing Campsite, Te Iringa Campsite, Kaimanawa Road Campsite, Army Road Campsite, Kakapo Campsite.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Kaimanawa Forest Park permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
A DOC hunting permit is required for the Kaimanawa Forest Park permit area. This is an Ordinary block with Permitted hunt status, issued on a free, non-ballot basis. Carry your permit while hunting.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
Get roar & 1080 alerts for the areas you hunt
We'll email you when pesticide operations, ballot dates or access conditions change for Waikato.
Sign up →