Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve
Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve is a 4,003 hectare public hunting block in the Bay of Plenty. Elevations run from 297 m up to 830 m, with a median of 500 m — lowland to mid-elevation bush country sitting below the bushline.
The reserve covers the bush country around Lake Okataina between Rotorua and Tarawera, with rolling forested ridges and lakeside faces. Slopes lean west on the dominant aspect, with a fair share of south-west, north-west and north faces giving plenty of variety to work different winds.
Game on the permit includes red deer, wild goat and wild pig. The Okataina country is part of the wider central North Island deer range and holds quiet bush hunting.
Open Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 9,093 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 297–830 m
- Median elevation
- 500 m
- Middle 50%
- 433–593 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
297–830 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
There are no huts or campsites recorded inside the reserve, and Lake Okataina is not flagged for air access or WARO. Hunters will be working in on foot from road access at the lakeside or off the surrounding road network.
With the lake bordering the reserve, boat-assisted access is a realistic way to reach the lakeside faces.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block, with a hunting status of Permitted.
A DOC hunting permit is required. The reserve is classed as a scenic reserve with hunting Permitted, but scenic reserves can carry extra conditions — confirm the current permit terms with DOC before planning a trip.
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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