Thread: Seeking Advice and Companionship for New Zealand Hunting Adventure

Dear Forum Members,

Greetings!
I hope this message finds you well. We are a couple of German friends, both in our early 50s and experienced hunters, planning our first hunting adventure on public land in the North Island of New Zealand.
We're looking at a trip in March or April 2023, spanning 8-12 days.

Our goal is to immerse ourselves in nature and enjoy the thrill of hunting, with a preference for areas like Te Urewera Park. We are not focused on trophies, and any animals bagged will be gladly shared as meat donations.
We're reaching out to the community for tips on logistics, accommodations, and potential partners. Specifically, we have questions about obtaining licenses, the availability of huts, and the possibility of renting rifles on-site.
If anyone has valuable advice, recommendations, or is even interested in joining us on this adventure, we would be immensely grateful for your input.

Looking forward to your responses and sharing in the excitement of this upcoming journey.

Best regards form the Blackforest in Germany,
Steffen

Welcome to the forum. I am sure there are members in the North Island who will gladly be able to help you out.
Check out the Department of Conservation website regarding open hunting areas and permits. Also the NZ police web site for info in visitor firearms requirements.

This thread is a good starting point, a lot of the info you need is already mentioned.

Im on the wrong Island to help you much, but my partner comes from the other side of Stuttgart . The Black forest is a beautiful area! It looks like your english is great but if you want anything translated or dont quite understand something, let me know and Il get her to help.

Welcome. When you get PM privileges send me a message re your plans etc. Can potentially hook you up with locals more capable, knowledgeable and younger than me lol, and offer some hospitality. Based in New Plymouth, Taranaki.

I spy with my little eye, 2023
You are only a day behind not a week or more?

Originally Posted by BlackforestHunter

Dear Forum Members,

Greetings!
I hope this message finds you well. We are a couple of German friends, both in our early 50s and experienced hunters, planning our first hunting adventure on public land in the North Island of New Zealand.
We're looking at a trip in March or April 2023, spanning 8-12 days.

Steffen

You might be a bit late......

Are you intending to bring your own rifles? Renting a rifle is not possible here, unless from a hunting guide that you are using at the same time.

You might consider putting up photos and stories of your German hunting - most folks would want to know something about the people they are considering hunting with. It will also get the number of posts up so that you can send and receive personal messages.

The south island is not far away, where you can also hunt chamois/gemsen. Book your trip 1st April to 12 April for the red deer roar period.

First question.... why would you travel all the way across the world just to hunt the North Island?

Because the nicest people are up here

Originally Posted by No good names left

Because the nicest people are up here

.....funny post coming from an Aucklander....

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

First question.... why would you travel all the way across the world just to hunt the North Island?

Might want Sika, Sambar, Rusa

Originally Posted by Gibo

Might want Sika, Sambar, Rusa

Good point Gibo and German folk are partial to a good beer so they may well have heard of Waikato. Steffens as mentioned above you should visit www.doc.govt.nz where you can learn about permits for public land hunting and also huts. Be careful to inquire about huts in Te Uruwera though as recently many were deliberately destroyed.

Thank you for the warm welcome here in the forum. The diverse feedback and information, such as the valuable insights on rifles and photos, are truly appreciated. The mention of the destroyed huts in Te Urewera and the late timing for this year in March-April is noted. Perhaps, I should rephrase my question: With your experience, how would you approach this trip if you were in our shoes?

Additionally, we are open to the idea of hunting in a completely different area of New Zealand on public land. We have the freedom to choose. Ideally, we would like to hunt for red stag and other wildlife. The meat harvested would be gladly passed on for use. This approach would align better with our concept of meaningful and responsible hunting, as we are not just looking to hunt for the sake of killing.