Thread: Fallow Curse

I’ve tried for years now to get onto a fallow on DoC land, but somehow never quite get there.

I’ve tried the Te Miro ballots without success, hunted some of the small northern blocks of Whanganui NP (south of Te Kuiti) and only found red deer and goats.

This morning I got up early to go and give the Te Puke fallow a crack in the hope of finding a vocal buck, only to be met with this after a two hour drive:



Is there anywhere else in the central NI to hunt fallow (other than private land)? I’m feeling very frustrated!


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do as I say..not as I do.....

I would have gone hunting if this is on public land

if it was public land you should have went.from the wording of that its not a good enough reason,looks to be someone trying to keep the general public out so they have the place to themselves under the guise of safety.

actually that is a VERY cunning ploy that the Karens of the world could pull endlessly.....just imagine the same sign with ngitahu plastered all around lake elesmere etc in first week of may....how many folks would turn around and go home??? rather than risk breaking law by being somewhere they are no longer allowed to be/on land without permission of the "owner/owners"
this could easily turn into the new H&S card to turn folks away from an area

the sooner this whole debarcle of "co governace" is buried the better

Keep looking south of te kuiti mate, you’ll find them

I know the iwi have no power to enforce a Rāhui on crown land without DoC enforcing it, but I like returning to the carpark to find my ute in one piece.

I would be ringing doc on Tuesday and putting in a complaint

Was that at the Manoeka rd/Otawa entrance??

its a DOC scenic reserve,

Copied from the DOC Otawa link:

Otawa Forest hunting
Expect changed conditions when hunting

This hunting area is open but may be damaged with slips, flooding or fallen trees from recent severe weather. Be aware that the terrain is still changing after each new period of heavy rain. This may impact your roar hunting plans.

Access to the hunting area may have been affected as many roads, bridges and tracks have been damaged or destroyed.

Respect the wishes of private landowners when it comes to access arrangements. Some landowners may not be able to grant hunters the usual access due to damage to their properties.

First published on 10 March 2023. Last reviewed on 17 March 2023.


I did though find reference through the Waitangi Tribunal (in 1996) that it is contested land.

Originally Posted by Tahr

its a DOC scenic reserve,

Copied from the DOC Otawa link:

Otawa Forest hunting
Expect changed conditions when hunting

This hunting area is open but may be damaged with slips, flooding or fallen trees from recent severe weather. Be aware that the terrain is still changing after each new period of heavy rain. This may impact your roar hunting plans.

Access to the hunting area may have been affected as many roads, bridges and tracks have been damaged or destroyed.

Respect the wishes of private landowners when it comes to access arrangements. Some landowners may not be able to grant hunters the usual access due to damage to their properties.

First published on 10 March 2023. Last reviewed on 17 March 2023.


I did though find reference through the Waitangi Tribunal (in 1996) that it is contested land.

Thanks Bruce. Probably a bit cynical of me, but after the debacle with the Urewera huts and DoC condoning their removal/destruction, I’m guessing they’d recommend observing the rāhui. There is a marae that you have to pass on the road so a bit hard to be covert.


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Originally Posted by tanqueray

I’ve tried for years now to get onto a fallow on DoC land, but somehow never quite get there.

I’ve tried the Te Miro ballots without success, hunted some of the small northern blocks of Whanganui NP (south of Te Kuiti) and only found red deer and goats.

This morning I got up early to go and give the Te Puke fallow a crack in the hope of finding a vocal buck, only to be met with this after a two hour drive:



Is there anywhere else in the central NI to hunt fallow (other than private land)? I’m feeling very frustrated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well will just have to ask the wife to drop me and pick me up….

Originally Posted by turtle

Been away from Rotorua for a while now, have you thought of trying the spot I gave you ?

I never got a chance to go, with covid and whatnot. Had a look through my private messages a while ago and couldn’t find anything, did you email me?

Ah yes the age old Roar Rahui, a tradition as old as time itself.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Ah yes the age old Roar Rahui, a tradition as old as time itself.

like the "I need a pig for a tangi" twigged to that one quick enough