Hunting in New Zealand

Visas

Flights are readily available into New Zealand from most countries. Entry into the country is easy and the authorities are friendly and make the process very comfortable. Visitors from a long list of visa waiver countries don’t need to apply in advance for a visa for a stay of three months or less in New Zealand—a visa will be issued on arrival. Check the list of visa waiver countries at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas.

Firearms

At least one month before you leave, apply for a temporary firearms license from the New Zealand Police. This is a simple process that can be done online; click here for more information.

Do not forget to submit a Notification of exempted sporting firearms export to legally take your weapon out of New Zealand; click here to learn more and download the notification blank. Your outfitter should assist you with this and provide any pertinent information.

The other option, if you’d rather avoid this process, is to rent a gun from your outfitter, but check with your outfitter to make sure they have the weapons that suit your hunting style and preferences.

After clearing immigration you’ll pick up your baggage from the carousel. If you have brought your own firearm, you must declare it to Customs, who will refer you to the New Zealand police. They will check your passport and other paperwork, collect the $25 license application fee (you will have to change currency in the arrivals area since this fee must be paid in New Zealand currency), and issue your firearms permit and import license. Be sure your hunting boots are clean; as an agricultural island nation New Zealand is extremely careful not to allow the import of foreign soils or nematodes.

Game

The most sought-after big-game species in New Zealand are red stag, fallow deer, Himalayan tahr, and Alpine chamois, but there are many other huntable species on the North and South Islands including Arapawa sheep and several types of deer. All of these species are available in both free-range situations as well as behind high fences, so be sure to find out from your outfitter what type of hunt is on offer.

Specifics of hunting

Because all of New Zealand’s big-game species were introduced at one time, they are considered pests in many areas and therefore some methods of hunting that are not legal in other areas are accepted here. That sometimes include hunting from helicopters, which is not considered fair chase by most hunters. However, because of the steep mountains, many outfitters allow clients the option of being dropped off on a mountaintop by helicopter and continuing the hunt on foot; this is a widely accepted practice in some areas of the South Island. In other areas, however, hunts are conducted entirely on foot. Hunters pursuing the mountain game species should be aware that the terrain is extremely rugged, steep, and challenging.

Taxidermy

Once your hunt is completed your trophies are usually transported to a local taxidermist to prepare them for export. In some cases, if time permits, you may take your trophies home with you but in most cases they will be shipped to you for import into your country for delivery to your taxidermist of choice. Trophies may also be mounted by one of New Zealand’s expert taxidermists and then shipped to you.