Mataraua Forest
Mataraua Forest is a 5,427 ha block on the Mataraua plateau in central Northland, sitting beside the Waimā Forest. Elevations run from 143 m up to 699 m with a tightly clustered median of 565 m, so most of the block sits on the elevated plateau bush rather than dropping into deep valleys.
Aspect is broadly spread but leans south-east, with strong shares also facing east and south. The plateau carries dense subtropical kauri-podocarp-broadleaf bush, with the high cover making for close-range stalking rather than long sight lines.
Game on the permit is wild goat and wild pig. The size of the block lets hunters spread out and stay clear of others.
Open Mataraua Forest on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 14,015 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 143–699 m
- Median elevation
- 565 m
- Middle 50%
- 514–627 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- south-east-facing
143–699 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning south-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Air access is permitted on the block. There are no DOC huts or campsites listed inside Mataraua Forest itself, so plan on day trips from road edges or fly-camp arrangements.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Northland reserves permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
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 through the Northland reserves permit area. The block is Ordinary with Permitted hunt status. Mataraua sits in active kauri-dieback country — confirm current hygiene and track requirements with DOC before entering.
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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