Waitangiroto Nature Reserve
Waitangiroto Nature Reserve is a 1,525 ha block in its own Waitangiroto Nature Reserve permit area on the South Westland coast. Elevations sit almost entirely at sea level — the median is 6 m and the highest point reaches only 167 m.
This is true lowland coastal country, with none of the block above the 1,200 m bushline. The dominant aspect is north. Coastal forest, swamp and lagoon margins make up the ground.
It carries red deer, chamois and wild goat — though as a nature reserve, hunting access is tightly constrained.
Open Waitangiroto Nature Reserve on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 4,934 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- -1–167 m
- Median elevation
- 6 m
- Middle 50%
- 3–18 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- north-facing
-1–167 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning north-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Air access is not permitted on this block. WARO is permitted.
No huts or campsites are listed within the block. As a nature reserve, the country isn't set up for recreational hunters in the same way an Ordinary block is — check current restrictions and any access conditions with DOC before planning a trip.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve permit area, with a hunting status of Restricted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
A DOC hunting permit is required. The Waitangiroto block is classified as Ordinary with Restricted hunt status, which means specific conditions apply on top of a standard permit — confirm with DOC what is and isn't allowed in the nature reserve before going.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
- An operation is planned for this area.
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