All hunting for whitetail deer on Stewart Island/Rakiura is managed through authorised systems. Most hunting access is allocated through the Department of Conservation (DOC) booking system, while some land is held as Māori-administered hunting blocks.
The DOC system includes 35 restricted hunting blocks within Rakiura National Park. Each block can be booked for up to 10 days, and bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance. A non-refundable $30 administration fee applies to each booking.
After payment, every member of the hunting party must accept the booking invitation and agree to DOC’s terms and conditions before a hunting permit is issued.
Accommodation varies between blocks, from basic hunter huts to DOC huts and Great Walks campsites. Fees and conditions differ by location.
For official details, maps, and applications, visit: Book a Stewart Island/Rakiura hunting block (DOC.govt.nz)
In addition to the DOC-administered hunting blocks, a number of areas on Stewart Island/Rakiura are Māori-owned and managed by the Rakiura Māori Lands Trust (RMLT). These blocks are separate from the DOC ballot system and have their own booking process, conditions, and fees.
Hunters must register with the Rakiura Māori Lands Trust to apply for a block. Bookings operate on a weekly rotation, running from Saturday midday to the following Saturday midday.
The Rakiura Whitetail Trust acknowledges and supports the mana whenua who manage these lands. Hunters are asked to engage respectfully with the Trust and uphold the same high standards of conduct and environmental care expected across Rakiura.
Many DOC hunting blocks on Stewart Island include a Rakiura Hunter Camp Trust (RHCT) hut. These huts have been built and are maintained by volunteers from the hunting community. The Trust works closely with DOC to keep huts safe, weather-tight, and accessible in one of New Zealand’s most remote and demanding environments.
Using existing huts or established campsites helps reduce the impact of hunting on Rakiura’s fragile environment. RHCT huts are designed specifically for hunters, offering reliable shelter and the essentials needed for extended stays in the bush.
If your allocated block includes an RHCT hut, you must book and pay the RHCT hut levy through the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre. DOC will contact you after your block booking is confirmed to arrange payment and access details.
Stewart Island/Rakiura is remote, wet, and covered in some of the thickest bush in New Zealand. The terrain is steep and uneven, with deep gullies, slippery creek beds, and tangled undergrowth that make travel slow and demanding.
There is no mobile phone coverage across almost all hunting areas. Access is usually by boat, and once dropped off, hunters are completely on their own until pickup. Every trip should be treated as a true backcountry expedition where self-sufficiency is essential.
Before you go:
Good preparation protects you, your party, and the island itself.
Hunters who take the time to plan properly, move carefully, and respect the environment will get the most out of the Rakiura experience.
The Rakiura whitetail herd is a wild, self-sustaining herd. It has survived for more than 100 years without formal population control.
That does not mean it is immune to pressure. Overhunting, poorly designed pest operations and habitat changes can all reduce deer numbers.
Every hunter can help protect the opportunity by:
Responsible hunting keeps the Rakiura herd, the hunting tradition and access arrangements intact.
Life on Rakiura
A glimpse into the island, its whitetail deer, and our conservation work.
