Pukepoto Ecological Area
Pukepoto Ecological Area is a 1,901 ha block in the Manawatu-Wanganui region, taken out under the Ruapehu permit area. Elevations run from about 332 m up to 976 m, with a median around 641 m, so it sits as mid-altitude bush country below the bushline across the full block.
The block has a clear westerly lean, with about a fifth of the country facing west and useful shares also picking up north-west, north and south-west. South-easterly aspects are limited. That gives a clear set of cool westerly sidles to focus on, with feed-holding country across much of the block.
Game on the permit includes red deer, sika, wild goat and wild pig. The block sits within the central North Island sika range, so it is mixed bush deer country with sika in the mix.
Open Pukepoto Ecological Area on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 5,415 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 332–976 m
- Median elevation
- 641 m
- Middle 50%
- 520–692 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
332–976 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
There are no huts or formal campsites inside the block, so plan to work in on foot from the surrounding road network and either day-trip or fly-camp.
Air access by helicopter is not permitted here. The block is flagged for wild animal recovery operations (WARO), so commercial helicopter parties may be working the same country.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Ruapehu 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, taken out under the Ruapehu permit area. The block is classed as Ordinary with hunting permitted year-round, so there is no ballot or seasonal restriction to plan around.
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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