Lake Sumner RHA
Lake Sumner RHA is a 44,993-hectare Recreational Hunting Area in north Canterbury's Lake Sumner Forest Park, one of the larger publicly huntable blocks on the eastern side of the Main Divide. Elevations range from 489 m at the valley floors to 1,855 m on the tops, with a median of 1,196 m. Forty-nine per cent of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 10% is alpine — a strong mix of bush and tops.
The block leans south-east-facing, with significant south-east and south aspects giving cool, shaded sidles that hold deer through the day. Lower country is beech-clad with valley flats; the upper basins open into tussock and scree.
Four species are listed: red deer, chamois, wild goat and wild pig. The size and variety of country here make it one of the more flexible blocks in the region for foot-based parties on a multi-day trip.
Open Lake Sumner RHA on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 142,187 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 489–1,855 m
- Median elevation
- 1,196 m
- Middle 50%
- 942–1,380 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 49%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 10%
- Dominant aspect
- south-east-facing
489–1,855 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning south-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted and Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are also permitted, so commercial activity can occur in some catchments.
The block is exceptionally well served by huts. Ten DOC structures in Lake Sumner Forest Park sit within or on the block, including Hope Kiwi Lodge (bookable), Mackenzie Hut, Doubtless Hut, Three Mile Stream Hut, Hope Halfway Hut, Devils Den Bivvy, Harper Pass Bivvy, Upper Nina Bivvy, Lake Man Bivvy and Mackenzie Bivvy (East Branch). The full-sized huts typically have heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and stream water; the bivvies vary. Most are non-bookable apart from Hope Kiwi Lodge.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
- Hope Kiwi LodgeBookable
Heating, Mattresses, 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
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
- Hope Kiwi LodgeBookable
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 RHA 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.
Lake Sumner is an RHA block under the Canterbury permit area, with Permitted hunt status. A DOC hunting permit is required but no ballot applies — apply through the standard online system before each trip. As a Recreational Hunting Area, the block is managed specifically to support public hunters.
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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