Public feedback is now being sought on a draft plan to change the legal status of Fiordland's Wapiti to a Herd of Special Interest (HOSI).

The Wapiti herd within the Fiordland National Park, estimated at around 3000 animals, is currently managed by the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) in agreement with the Department of Conservation (DOC).

However in 2024 that management agreement was legally challenged by Forest & Bird (F&B), who argued it was in conflict with the National Parks Act 1980.

FWF subsequently began working with the Department of Conservation and the Government in an attempt to have the animals formally recognised as a HOSI and managed for hunting and conservation.

NZ Game Animal Council Chair Grant Dodson said that a HOSI, only legally possible under the Game Animal Council Act 2013, represented a paradigm shift in how game animals would be considered in law.

It would recognise "game animals as valued introduced species - in particular for their hunting values and the role of hunters in managing them.”

Fiordland Wapiti Foundation general manager Roy Sloan. Photo: FWF/Supplied

GAC CEO Corina Jordan said the HOSI approach would deliver better outcomes for hunters and the community, compared to current management frameworks under the Conservation Act 1987.

But F&B warns that the proposal to introduce HOSI for pest species on public conservation land sets a dangerous precedent and will undermine the very purpose of those areas.

F&B regional manager Nicky Snoyink said the proposal was coming at a time when out-of-control populations of introduced browsing pests like deer were invading almost every corner of New Zealand.

“The current exploding populations of deer, goats and pigs prevent regeneration and trash the ecosystem’s ability to be an effective carbon sink,” she said.

“What New Zealand needs is a nationally coordinated action plan across all land tenures to control introduced invasive pests.”

Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager was reported in February by RNZ as saying he was supportive of HOSI bids so long as they maintained or improved conservation and hunting outcomes.

The public is also currently being asked to give feedback on a New Zealand Sika Foundation plan to grant HOSI status to Sika deer in the Kaimanawa/Kaweka Forest Park.

Both public consultation periods opened today (10 Nov) and run till 8th December.

CLICK HERE to find out more and make a submission on the Draft herd management plan for the proposed Fiordland wapiti Herd of Special Interest.

CLICK HERE to find out more and make a submission on the Draft herd management plan for the proposed sika deer Herd of Special Interest.