Whitikau Scenic Reserve
Whitikau Scenic Reserve is an 869 hectare public hunting block in the Whakatane/Waioeka/Urutawa permit area, eastern Bay of Plenty. Elevations run from 196 m up to 778 m, with a median of 513 m — lowland to mid-elevation bush country sitting below the bushline.
The reserve is bush-covered ground in the Whitikau country. Slopes lean south-west on the dominant aspect, with a fair share of south and west faces giving shaded gully systems through much of the day.
Game on the permit includes red deer, wild goat and wild pig. The mix and elevation spread suit varied bush hunting in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Open Whitikau Scenic Reserve on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 2,369 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 196–778 m
- Median elevation
- 513 m
- Middle 50%
- 418–592 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- south-west-facing
196–778 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning south-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
There are no huts or campsites recorded inside the reserve, but WARO is permitted — commercial helicopter operators may be working the wider area. Air access for recreational hunters is not flagged.
Hunters will be working in on foot from road access on the surrounding network, with fly-camping a realistic option given the size.
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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