The prospect that Fiordland's Wapiti herd will finally be designated a 'Herd of Special Interest' (HOSI) has the hunter-led group, Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF), very excited.

On Monday (12 May) Hunting and Fishing minister James Meager said he would formally consider redesignating Fiordland National Park's wapiti a 'herd of special interest'.

“The wapiti HOSI represent an opportunity for economic growth in regional New Zealand. Better, healthier deer herds provide opportunities for domestic and international visitors to hunt the only free-range wapiti herd outside of North America,” Meager said.

FWF general manager Roy Sloan. Photo: Supplied

FWF general manager, Roy Sloan, said to have a government finally see common sense and be brave enough to support the Wapiti proposal for a Herd of Special Interest was truly refreshing.

Sloan said the foundation had been managing Fiordland's Wapiti herd as a de facto Herd of Special Interest for 20 years, pioneering modern hunting practices and advocating that deer management prioritise conservation first and hunting resources second, but had been frustrated by the Game Animal Council Act.

Sloan said the change in legislation would give FWF security of tenure.

"It will actually stop outside challenges on the legalities on what we do and why we're allowed to do it."

It will be a lot harder for the challengers of hunting in New Zealand, Sloan said.

Sloan said FWF still currently had a judicial review, brought by Forest & Bird (F&B), hanging over its head.

"Our day-to-day activities will not change a lot in terms of what we do and how we do it, because we are managing deer numbers for the benefit of Fiordland National Park," Sloan said.

A hunter leaves the bush with his trophy. Photo: FWF/Supplied

F&B Chief Executive, Nicola Toki, responding to Meager's announcement said they were baffled by the prioritisation of government time and energy into helping 512 hunters shoot 86 deer in a national park.

“It’s hard to put into words just how questionable this decision is."

"Instead of trying to ensure Fiordland can welcome kākāpō back to their home, this Government is instead looking at changing the law to let a North American deer species use the national park as a glorified vege patch – eating away at the very natural heritage that these sanctuaries have been legally designed to protect."

The next phase of the HOSI process will involve consultation with iwi/hapū and relevant stakeholders before a draft herd management plan is publicly notified, potentially in late 2025.

This will be followed by the introduction a bill to Parliament to clarify the designation of HOSI in national parks, through a small amendment to the Game Animal Council Act 2013.

The government is also currently considering Sika deer as a HOSI.