Pirongia Forest Park
Pirongia Forest Park is a 15,051 ha forest park in the country around Mount Pirongia and the western Waikato. The country is lowland to foothill country, with bush, gully systems and old farm margins typical of the western Waikato. Elevations run from about 39 m up to 941 m, with a median sample around 384 m.
The block sits below the bushline, so this is hunting through bush, gully heads and sidles rather than open tops.
Game on the permit includes red deer, fallow deer, wild goat and wild pig. The scale of the block lets parties spread out and work several drainages over a longer trip.
Open Pirongia Forest Park on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 41,429 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 39–941 m
- Median elevation
- 384 m
- Middle 50%
- 277–520 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
39–941 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
The block has 1 hut and 3 campsites on the DOC network, so it suits both day trips and longer stays. Check current bookings and conditions on the DOC site before committing to a route.
The block is open to air access, which gives a practical option for parties dropping in onto a ridge or face rather than working in on foot. WARO is also active on this block, so be conscious of helicopter operations and check current activity before heading in.
Huts & campsites
- Pāhautea HutBookable
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Campsites: Kaniwhaniwha Campsite, Pahautea Hut Campsite, Central Clearing Campsite.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Pirongia Forest Park and surrounds 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 Pirongia Forest Park. The block is classed as Ordinary with hunting Permitted under the Pirongia Forest Park and surrounds permit area, so there is no ballot or seasonal restriction beyond the standard permit conditions.
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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