Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve
Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve is a major 18,490 hectare public hunting area in the Whakatane/Waioeka/Urutawa permit zone, eastern Bay of Plenty. Elevations run from 18 m at the river up to 960 m on the higher ridges, with a median of 394 m — predominantly bush country well below the bushline.
The reserve covers the bush ground around the Waioeka Gorge along State Highway 2 between Opotiki and Gisborne. Slopes lean east on the dominant aspect, with a fair share of north and south faces giving variety in shaded and sunlit ground. The river-cut gorge gives steep sidles and bluff country along the watercourses.
Game on the permit includes red deer, wild goat and wild pig. The Waioeka Gorge is a long-standing hunting destination in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Open Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 51,236 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 18–960 m
- Median elevation
- 394 m
- Middle 50%
- 261–538 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
18–960 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Manganuku Campsite sits within or adjacent to the reserve as a base for parties working the gorge country. The reserve is flagged for WARO, so commercial helicopter operators may be working the wider area. Air access for recreational hunters is not flagged.
State Highway 2 runs through the gorge, giving good road access at multiple points along the reserve. Many trips work in from these access points either as day hunts or multi-day fly-camp setups.
Huts & campsites
Campsites: Manganuku Campsite.
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. The reserve is classed as a scenic reserve with hunting Permitted, issued through the Whakatane/Waioeka/Urutawa permit system. Scenic reserves can carry extra conditions — confirm the current permit terms before planning a 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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