Makarora
Makarora is a 6,435-hectare public hunting block in Otago, within the Mount Aspiring National Park east-of-divide permit area. Elevations run from about 381 m up to 2443 m with a median around 1252 m, putting most of the ground in mostly above-the-bushline tops country.
About 29% of the block lies above 1,500 m, giving genuine alpine ground in the upper basins on top of bush and shrubland lower down. Slopes lean north-west-facing, which shapes where sun, snow and feeding animals concentrate through the day.
Recorded game on the block includes red deer, tahr and chamois. That gives hunters three quarry species — bush-edge and lower faces for reds, the higher tops and rocky basins for tahr and chamois. It sits on the east-of-divide side of the park, classic alpine head-water country with steep bush bottoms and high glacier-cut basins.
Open Makarora on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 21,410 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 381–2,443 m
- Median elevation
- 1,252 m
- Middle 50%
- 944–1,552 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 54%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 29%
- Dominant aspect
- north-west-facing
381–2,443 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning north-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
This is a roar — the red deer roar peaks from late March into April, and competition for the block is highest then.
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted on this block, which gives charter operators a way to put hunters into upper basins and faces that would otherwise mean a long valley walk. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) is also permitted, meaning commercial helicopters may be working the same country at times — worth factoring into trip timing.
One DOC hut sits within the block: Makarora Hut in Makarora area, with heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and stream water. It is not bookable — first-come, first-served.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Roar block in the Mount Aspiring National Park east of divide 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.
Makarora is classified as a Roar block under the Mount Aspiring National Park east of divide permit area, with a Permitted hunt status. A DOC hunting permit is required but no ballot applies — apply through the standard online system. Expect more pressure through the roar window in late March and April.
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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