Hunting in New Zealand
New Zealand Hunting
Whether you are a seasoned international hunter or just looking for your first international hunting experience, New Zealand is an ideal destination. A hunt in New Zealand is easy to plan, and it is a safe and welcoming country. Because it is stable and friendly, New Zealand is also a perfect place to include your spouse or family in your adventure.
New Zealand offers very diverse terrain that accommodates the desires or physical limitations of all hunters. Hunts can be conducted from the comfort of a five-star lodge with a swimming pool and spa, or from a tented spike camp in the wilderness. The easily accessible lush and grassy lowlands are home to estate hunts which can be accessed via trucks or ATVs. This is often a good option if a companion chooses to stay in the lodge and enjoy the amenities or do some touring. Hunters may also choose remote wilderness hunts in the high alpine ruggedness of the Southern Alps, which are accessed mainly by hiking or helicopter. These are more physical hunts with thick brush and steeper terrain. You can also choose a combination of both.
A large selection of game awaits the hunter visiting New Zealand. The majestic red stag is always a favorite for hunters and usually the focus of the hunt. The Himalayan tahr is another of the pinnacle species in New Zealand and can be very challenging to hunt in the steep, rugged terrain where they live. Other species include the handsome fallow deer, chamois, and many other varieties of deer, goats, sheep, and even water buffalo. Again, this selection offers choices to fit every hunter’s tastes and capabilities. All of New Zealand is picturesque, with many locations combining coastal beaches transitioning up to majestic rocky peaks, making this a photographer’s dream. Touring is easily incorporated with a hunt and can include historic sites, glacier hikes, scenic train rides, paragliding, hiking, and helicopter scenic trips. New Zealand makes for a complete hunting vacation adventure that will be sure to please all tastes.
Breathtaking Scenery
New Zealand is one of the most scenic countries in the world
Unique Species
New Zealand is a top destination for hunting magnificent red stags, as well as for Himalayan tahr and chamois
Family Friendly
New Zealand is an outstanding destination for a family vacation or post-hunt touring
Things You Need to Know About New Zealand
Visas
Passport required. Many nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 3 months (or 6 months for UK citizens), but MUST obtain a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before traveling. The NZeTA is linked to the traveler’s passport and is required even for transit through New Zealand
Importing Firearms
Bringing your gun and/or ammunition into New Zealand is quite easy with a little planning. At least 1 month in advance of travel, you’ll need to apply for your visitors license and import permit. You will need to complete a CBP Form 4457 to ensure a problem free return to the US. To complete the form contact US Customs and Boarder Protection to register your firearm for export and reentry. This can be done in advance at a Port of Entry or during the course of your travel (it is advised to allow an extra 2-3 hours if you choose this route).Check with the airlines on their specific requirements. Some will require the firearm and ammunition to be in separate bags, and most require the bolt to be removed from the gun. Regarding your ammunition, be aware that the airlines have a specific weight restriction (typically a maximum of 5kgs) on the amount of ammunition permitted in checked baggage. This equates to 2-4 boxes or 60-80 rounds of rifle ammo. Do not exceed the weight limit.
When arranging your flights, you must keep in mind that when traveling to NZ you will ‘lose’ a day getting there. For example if you depart the US on the 1st you will arrive in NZ on the 3rd. And in regard to your return trip, if you depart on the 9th you will arrive back in the US on the 9th. Furthermore we recommend you arrive in Christchurch at least one day before the start date of your hunt – or your first hunting day. This allows you to relax from your journey and adjust to the climate and time changes, and also not be rushed into your hunting. For example, if your hunt starts on the 4th you would need to depart on the 1st to arrive on the 3rd. You would have one night in Christchurch, which would be for the 3rd, checking out the 4th. You will then be picked up from your hotel on the morning of the 4th and transferred to the hunting lodge that morning to start your hunt. Itineraries often follow US > Auckland > Christchurch. At Auckland International Airport follow the green line to the domestic terminal which is a 10 minute easy walk or shuttle bus (there are hourly flights from Auckland so don’t panic if you miss it). Allow a minimum of 2 hours between international and domestic flights. You will fly into Christchurch International (2.1 hours from the lodge) in the South Island where you will be picked up and dropped you off unless you are self driving. To make your trip through Customs and BioSecurity easier: Be sure that ALL of your gear is clean. Yes, this includes your boots!
WEATHER
New Zealand is an island and the weather can change often within a day or the week. Wet weather gear is carried throughout most of the season and in winter good warm clothing. Much like hunting in many parts of the central U.S, Alaska and Canada, we will send you out a full list of clothing and equipment before you leave.
- February-March: This is still in our summer, temps 38°F(3°C) – 80°F (26°C)
- April-May: We are now going to fall, temps 32°F (0°C) – 65°F (18°C)
- June-September: Our main winter months, temps 28°F (-2°C) – 55°F (12°C)
FITNESS
Exercising and working out before the hunt certainly pays off, especially when taking on mountain animals. Because of the well-tracked properties we are able to drive around most places from the valley floors which allows all ages and abilities of hunters the opportunity to harvest their magnificent trophies. Different properties will provide hunters with different levels of hunting to suit their physical requirements.
Taxidermy
Your trophies will be chilled or frozen until the hunt is finished. From there they will go to the local taxidermist where you can decide whether you want them mounted there or salted and shipped to your preferred company. Shipping costs vary according to crate size. The taxidermist can give you an estimate based on how you would like it done, upon request. From New Zealand it goes to your country where it is recommended you use a customs broker to clear your trophies and forward onto your designated destination. Again the local taxidermist can assist you with finding a customs broker.
MEAT
You can bring New Zealand stag (red deer) meat back to the U.S., but there are strict rules you need to follow through USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Meat must be: Fully deboned, Cleaned of all spinal cord and brain tissue, Properly packaged (vacuum-sealed, labeled). Typically handled by a New Zealand export-approved meat processor
Travelers may not bring back more than 50 pounds of meat.