Hunting in Gisborne

Overview

Gisborne is the eastern corner of the North Island — East Cape country, running from the Raukumara Range in the north down through the Māhia Peninsula, with the Wairoa hill country on the southern boundary. The public hunting estate is smaller than in neighbouring Bay of Plenty or Hawke's Bay: most of the Gisborne interior is in private pastoral or Māori-trust title, and the DOC blocks are concentrated on the Raukumara fringe, along the Waioeka/Whakatāne rivers, and in the scattered coastal reserves.

What the public blocks lack in size they make up for in low pressure. The East Cape is genuinely remote by North Island standards — a long drive from any major centre — and most of the conservation blocks see few hunters relative to the animal numbers they carry. Pig hunting in particular is traditionally strong in this part of the country; deer are present but more dispersed than in the Raukumara heartland across the Bay of Plenty boundary.

What You Can Hunt

• Red deer — present through the Raukumara fringe blocks, the Waikareiti catchment, and the larger inland reserves. Low to moderate density; less hunted than the Bay of Plenty side of the same ranges.
• Fallow deer — established in several of the eastern Raukumara and Waioeka blocks. Pockets through the East Cape hill country on private land; the public blocks carry some fallow.
• Wild pig — the region's signature species for public-land hunters. The East Cape hill country has a deep pig-hunting tradition; scrub country, river flats, and coastal regenerating bush all hold good numbers.
• Wild goat — common on coastal slip faces, the limestone country near the coast, and throughout the East Cape scrub and bush margins.

Where to Hunt

• Waikareiti North Conservation Area — 7,200 ha on the inland edge of the Gisborne/Bay of Plenty boundary, linking into the Waikareiti system. Red deer, fallow, pig, and goat. One of the larger public blocks in the region; accessible from the Wairoa side.
• Raukumara fringe blocks — the Gisborne portion of the Raukumara system: Raukumara Conservation Area (1,900 ha), Littleworths, Teritua, Takaputahi, and a scatter of smaller reserves along the range's eastern face. Together they give access to the same landscape as the large Bay of Plenty Raukumara block, from the drier eastern aspect.
• Matawai and Mōanui Conservation Areas — inland Gisborne, in the back country between Matawai township and the Wairoa boundary. Red deer, fallow, pig, and goat. Road access off the inland Gisborne routes.
• East Cape coastal reserves — smaller scenic reserves along the coast from East Cape south to Māhia. Primarily pig and goat; short day-trip blocks for local hunters.

Getting In

• Road — SH 2 (Gisborne to Ōpōtiki, the Pacific Coast Highway) runs the full coastline and provides the main access spine. Inland roads from Gisborne, Matawai, and Wairoa reach the hill-country blocks. East Cape road (SH 35) services the northern coastal reserves.
• Foot — all conservation-land hunting is on foot from the road end. The Raukumara fringe blocks are typically moderate walk-ins; the Matawai and Mōanui blocks are shorter.
• Air — occasional helicopter use into the more remote Raukumara fringe catchments, subject to current DOC rules.

Seasons & Weather

The East Coast has a warm, relatively dry climate on the coastal strip — one of the driest parts of the North Island. The inland ranges get heavier rainfall, particularly in winter.

The East Coast is vulnerable to severe weather events from tropical systems tracking down the coast; cyclones and ex-tropical lows can make the inland roads impassable. Always check conditions before remote trips.

Gear & Conditions

Most Gisborne hunting is steep, mixed scrub and bush country with relatively short sightlines. Light to medium rifles (.243 through .308) suit the terrain and species. Pig hunters working dogs in the East Cape country need to be well equipped for rough, cut-up hill terrain — dog first-aid kits and a quality knife are essential. Coastal blocks can be hot in summer; hydration and sun cover matter on the open faces.

Permits & Regulations

A free DOC hunting permit is required for all public conservation land. The Raukumara fringe blocks and inland reserves fall under the Gisborne/Raukumara or Whakatāne/Waioeka/Urutawa permit areas depending on location — check the specific permit area before applying. Pig dog hunting is permitted on conservation land subject to dog-control conditions and current 1080 status. Much of the inland Gisborne back country is in Māori-trust ownership — confirm boundaries carefully before hunting any country that is not explicitly marked as DOC land.

Open the Map

Open Gisborne in the full hunting map →

Raukumara fringe blocks, Waikareiti, Matawai, and the East Cape reserves — hunting areas, access roads, and current pesticide operations.

Useful Links

• DOC: Raukumara Conservation Park
• DOC: Hunting permits
• Gisborne District Council: pest management