Matawai Conservation Area
Matawai Conservation Area is a 2,670-hectare block of inland Gisborne hill country, sitting in the Whakatane / Waioeka / Urutawa permit area on the southern shoulder of the Raukumara country. Elevations run from 570 m to 1,059 m with a median of 682 m, putting it firmly in hill and foothill country well below the bushline.
The block is built around a north-west-leaning aspect, with significant north and west faces. Country is generally bush-covered ridge and gully systems, typical of the Waioeka–Raukumara fringe.
The block carries red deer, fallow deer, wild goat and wild pig, an unusually broad species mix for an inland Gisborne block and a strong reason to put time into it.
Open Matawai Conservation Area on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 7,453 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 570–1,059 m
- Median elevation
- 682 m
- Middle 50%
- 637–755 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- north-west-facing
570–1,059 m, foothill country with low tops, leaning north-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is not permitted on this block, so hunters work in on foot. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are permitted, so commercial helicopter shooting can be expected at times.
There are no DOC huts or campsites within the block, so trips require day-walks from the boundary or a fly camp on the ridges.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Whakatane/Waioeka/Urutawa permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
A DOC hunting permit is required for the Whakatane / Waioeka / Urutawa permit area, covering this Ordinary block. The block has Permitted hunt status, so no ballot applies and permits can be drawn through the standard DOC online system before each 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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