Northland

To hunt on any private lands, hunters must approach the landowners for permission.

To view the boundary between the Northland and Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game regions, please click here to download the map.

Hunting locations

Northland Fish and Game Council
Department of Conservation
Rangiputa Landcorp Farm
Kaipara
Forestry Blocks
Other available hunting opportunities

Northland Fish and Game Council

• Jack Bisset Wetland, Whangarei
• Flaxmill Wetlands, Dargaville
• Kawakawa Wetlands, Kawakawa
• Borrow Cut Wetland, Hikurangi
• Underwood Wetland, Dargaville
• Greenheart Wetland, Tangiteroria

Permitted and balloted hunting areas or managed properties by New Zealand Fish & Game, Northland Region.

Jack Bisset Wetland

Sited 20 minutes drive south-west of central Whangarei, this 50-hectare purpose-built wetland is a haven for waterfowl hunters. The property is owned by Northland Fish & Game and stand allocation is done via a ballot system. Ballots may be applied for when stands are advertised as vacant. This wetland is open to all licence holders following the second weekend after opening week and may be used for the rest of the season. Game available includes mallard, grey, shelduck, black swan, pukeko, pheasant, and California quail. Farmer-approved camping is permitted during the season in a designated area, and access is by vehicle to the wetland's outskirts. There is great after-work hunting during the season for hunters who live nearby. Dogs are permitted.

$29.00 of this permit fee is used to fund a special predator and pest control operation on the property.

Flaxmill Wetland

Located 15 minutes north-west of Dargaville on Waihue Rd lies a former flax growing operation, dating back to the era when flax was used for making ropes. This extensive property has been returned to something close to a pure swampland state. A total of 56 hectares provides around 40 hunters with access to some of the best waterfowl hunting on offer in the Kaipara District Council area. The layout centres on pond sites, which are interconnected to a common flowing waterway. This site abounds with waterfowl as well as native species. Game birds available are mallards, grey, shelduck, black swan and shoveler. Pukeko and the odd pheasant and quail can be found around the fringes. Access to pond sites is on foot from a designated parking area and dogs are permitted.

$29.00 of this permit fee is used to fund a special predator and pest control operation on the property.

Kawakawa Wetland – Kawakawa Permit Fee $10.00

This property has been developed to enhance its waterfowl potential. Major pond site excavation works have provided hunters with seven shooting sites. The area was previously underutilised because of overgrown vegetation and willow trees. The surrounding countryside and terrain is a haven for waterfowl species, which populate this valley in good numbers. Bordering State Highway 1 near the township of Kawakawa, this property can produce exciting shooting, with birds dropping sharply into pocket water and holes in the willows, especially during flood conditions. Access is easily achieved with a permit required outside of the normal balloted week. Species taken are mallard, grey, shoveler, black swan, pukeko and the occasional parrie. Dogs are permitted and accommodation is close.

Borrow Cut Wetland – Hikurangi Swamp Permit Fee $10.00

Formerly part of the original Hikurangi swamp, this area is Whangarei District Council-owned but managed under agreement by Northland Fish and Game Council. It is a remnant of the past water course, which was straightened to allow for flood level withdrawal and easement. A property, which offers a fantastic opportunity for junior shooters and adult hunters after the first week of balloted hunting. Species found there include mallard, grey, paradise, pukeko, pheasant, quail and the ever-elusive spoonbill. Birds are usually called as they follow the river and man-made waterways. Dogs are permitted and generally needed for birds taken over water.

Underwood Wetland – Dargaville - $10.00

Located near Dargaville is our newest wetland project. The original owner Dave Underwood had managed the semi-retired beef farm for conservation values. The property consists mostly of valley floor with scenic reserve in the hills on both sides comprising both remnant and regenerating native bush. This extensive property has a series of ponds developed through Game Bird Habitat Trust grants and culminates in a large body of water near the Manganui River which is proving popular with waterfowl. The area also holds reasonable numbers of pheasant.

There are currently four marked stand sites which will be balloted for opening weekend hunting each year. After opening weekend the wetland will be open to all hunters through the purchase of a casual permit. Access is on foot from a designated parking area off Hoanga Road and dogs are permitted.

Greenheart Wetland – Tangiteroria - $10

Greenheart Wetland is located near Tangiteroria off Bob Taylor Road. It is an ephemeral wetland complex on a riverside floodplain with extensive riparian planting. Hunting is available in ponds when conditions permit and along the flight lines of the Wairua and Mangakahia rivers. Waterfowl and upland game are present on the property. Hunting is currently managed on a casual permitting basis through the Northland Fish and Game Council office.

Access is with prior contact with the local grazier and on foot from a designated parking area. Details will be provided with every permit purchased. Dogs are permitted.

Department of Conservation

Hunters who intend to hunt on Conservation managed lands must contact their local Department of Conservation office in Northland to obtain a permit. The local DOC office details are:

• Whangarei Office, 2 Southend Ave, Raumanga, Whangarei (09) 470 3300
• Bay of Islands Office, 34 Landing Road, Kerikeri (09) 407 0300
• Kauri Coast Office, 150 Colville Road, RD.7, Dargaville (09) 439 345
• Kaitaia Office, 25 Matthews Ave, Kaitaia (09) 408 6014

Please contact your local DOC office as there is NO game bird hunting online permit system to obtain a DOC permit. 

Hunting at Te Paki Farm and Te Werahi Wetlands is now authorised by approval from local Iwi Ngati Kuri. All licence holders MUST contact John Macpherson on 021 858 423 or text 027 325 4301 to obtain the appropriate contact details.

Rangiputa Landcorp Farm

Licence holders will need to contact Colin Rakena, the Farm Manager, on 0274 350 982 to arrange access for game bird hunting. An induction is required to gain access for game bird hunting on this Landcorp farm.

Other hunting opportunities include peacock, turkey and Canada Goose.

Kaipara

To view the access map we have available for the Kaipara area please click on the following link: Kaipara Harbour Hunting Access Guide.

Forestry Blocks

Summit Forest NZ Ltd: Te Hiku Forest Permit - $30.00

Situated north of Kaitaia, this exotic forest provides about 625 square kilometres of upland game hunting, but only on weekends due to forestry operations. The main game species are pheasant and quail and there is good vehicle access where specified. It is a condition of the permit to use fibre wad ammunition. The required permit for entry can be obtained from the Northland Fish & Game Office, Rider Sports Kaitaia, or McCoy & Thomas Hunting & Fishing, Kaitaia.

Reasonably priced accommodation is available at several motor camps which cater for dog owners.

Breakdown of permit fees: 

• $24.00 - Special predator and pest control operation 
• $6.00 - Administration Costs 

Northland Forestry Permit - $50

This permit provides an abundance of game hunting opportunity across the region, particularly the mid-north. There is almost endless area to explore with game populations present in moderate numbers. This permit covers forestry blocks from the following companies:

• Manulife Investment Management  

Northland Fish & Game is extremely fortunate to have access and permitting control of eligible forests throughout Northland. Individual forests which may be hunted vary season-by-season depending on predator poison control and harvesting activity. Licence holders have access to many thousands of hectares, and in some cases areas which have not previously had any hunting pressure. Access maps provide hunters with good directions and descriptions.

Permits for weekend hunting only are only issued through the Northland Fish & Game Office. The permit fee covers a requirement for each licence holder to have indemnity insurance before they can enter any of Manulife Investment Management forests. The permit is for the open game season.

Weekends only and all dogs must be Kiwi Aversion trained to gain access.

• Northland Forest Managers Ltd  

Northland Fish & Game have negotiated access and permitting of forests managed by Northland Forest Managers Ltd in the region.

Individual forests, which may be hunted, vary season-by-season depending on predator poison control and harvesting activity.  A series of access maps provide hunters with good directions and descriptions.

Permits are only issued through the Northland Fish & Game Office. Most forests are open weekends and some may be available for hunting seven days a week. The permit fee covers a requirement for each licence holder to have indemnity insurance before they can enter any of Northland Forest Managers Ltd forests. The permit is for the whole game season.

All dogs must be Kiwi Aversion trained to gain access.

• Matariki/Rayonier Forests

Matariki Forests allow hunting in parts of Puhipuhi Forest near Whakapara and Topuni Forest near Wellsford. Permits are only issued through the Fish & Game Northland office. Designated areas are open at weekends only. The permit fee covers a requirement for each licence holder to have public liability and fire insurance as noted before they can enter any of the Matariki/Rayonier Forests. The permit is for the entire game bird season.

Kiwi Aversion Certificate

A Kiwi Aversion Certificate is required for all hunting dogs that enter forests managed by Northland Forest Managers Ltd.

Please contact your local DOC office for information on Kiwi Aversion training for all hunting dogs.

Other available hunting opportunities

Waterfowl hunting opportunities are also available at Lakes Omapere and Owhareiti in central Northland. Numerous shelduck, black swan and mallards inhabit these areas. Access to these lakes is across private land and hunters who want to visit these sites, should contact this office to obtain further information on landowners.

All information supplied may be subject to change at the request of the land administrators.