page_title: Hunting in New Zealand
hierarchical_section_title: Hunting in New Zealand
caption_attribution_description: English: A monument marking the release of Red Deer, seen on the Lindis Pass in New Zealand
context_page_description: Hunting is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity in New Zealand with numerous books and magazines published on the topic. Unlike most other developed countries with a hunting tradition, there are no bag-limits or seasons for hunting large game in New Zealand. Hunting in National Parks is a permitted activity. The wide variety of game animals and the limited restrictions means hunting is a popular pastime which has resulted in a high level of firearms ownership among civilians.
  Prior to human settlement New Zealand had no land based mammals other than two species of bat, one of which is now extinct, and two species of seal. European settlers introduced a wide range of animals including some specifically for game hunting. Acclimatisation societies were active for a period of 60 years from the 1860s in having introduced animals established in New Zealand. The majority were introduced for food or sport. In the 1980s Recreational Hunting Areas were set up to support recreational hunting on conservation land. The RHA's are administered by the Department of Conservation.
context_section_description: Hunting is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity in New Zealand with numerous books and magazines published on the topic. Unlike most other developed countries with a hunting tradition, there are no bag-limits or seasons for hunting large game in New Zealand. Hunting in National Parks is a permitted activity. The wide variety of game animals and the limited restrictions means hunting is a popular pastime which has resulted in a high level of firearms ownership among civilians.
  Prior to human settlement New Zealand had no land based mammals other than two species of bat, one of which is now extinct, and two species of seal.  European settlers introduced a wide range of animals including some specifically for game hunting. Acclimatisation societies were active for a period of 60 years from the 1860s in having introduced animals established in New Zealand. The majority were introduced for food or sport. In the 1980s Recreational Hunting Areas (RHA's) were set up to support recreational hunting on conservation land. The RHA's are administered by the Department of Conservation.
  Guided or independent hunting is open to non-resident hunters with a firearms licence and permit issued by the Department of Conservation.  Because of the number of large game species and varied terrain available, New Zealand is a popular destination for hunting-based tourism.
caption: A memorial on the Lindis Pass erected in 1971 commemorating the release of red deer in Otago in 1871.
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