Manuherikia hunting block
Manuherikia hunting block is a 19,788-hectare public hunting block in Otago, within Oteake Conservation Park, on the Otago–Canterbury boundary range country. Elevations run from about 691 m up to 2085 m with a median around 1319 m, putting most of the ground in mostly above-the-bushline tops country.
About 32% 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 east-facing, which shapes where sun, snow and feeding animals concentrate through the day.
Recorded game on the block includes red deer, tahr, chamois and wild pig. That gives hunters three quarry species — bush-edge and lower faces for reds, the higher tops and rocky basins for tahr and chamois. Oteake is high tussock and rolling alpine country on the divide between Otago and the Mackenzie basin.
Open Manuherikia hunting block on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 66,841 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 691–2,085 m
- Median elevation
- 1,319 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,076–1,571 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 62%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 32%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
691–2,085 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
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.
Two DOC huts sit within the block: Top Hut – Otago and Otamatapaio Hut . Top Hut – Otago and Otamatapaio Hut in Oteake Conservation Park each provide heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and stream water. None of the huts on the block are bookable — they are first-come, first-served, so carry a fly or tent as backup.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
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 Ordinary block in the Oteake Conservation Park and Areas 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 for Manuherikia hunting block. The block is an Ordinary block with a Permitted hunt status, so permits are issued through the standard online system rather than a ballot. Permits are free but must be carried 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.
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