Ruahine Forest Park: A Collaborative Path to Restoration |

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Ruahine Forest Park’s majestic beech forests and delicate understories are home to taonga species, yet these ecosystems are under pressure from browsing wild deer. But a new approach is taking root—one that brings communities, iwi, hunters and conservationists together to restore this cherished place. 

What’s the issue?

The issue is that our national monitoring and reporting system show introduced wild browsing animals like deer are increasing in number, contributing to a decline in common tree species and changing the make-up of forests. 

This is threatening the habitats where many of our native species live. 

Localised monitoring in Ruahine Forest Park indicated relatively high numbers of ungulates (primarily deer) compared to national averages. Important understory plants, which help a forest regenerate and stabilise slopes, are disappearing. 

This is not good! 

What we saw was that taller plants preferred by deer and goats were very rare, while plants they avoid were common. This suggests that wild deer, goats, and pigs may have affected forest composition. Previously common plants like kamahi, broadleaf, mahoe, pate and tree fuchsia are now rare in Ruahine Forest Park. 

The Plan: Adaptive Management

To address these very negative impacts, alongside local iwi/hapū, we are taking an adaptive management approach. 

Basically, we’re taking a flexible, science-based approach. 

And what this really means is trying different solutions, monitoring their effectiveness, and adjusting as we learn more, ensuring actions are guided by real-time insights. 

Ruahine Forest Park presents unique challenges, including rugged terrain and a high risk of reinvasion by wild deer from surrounding areas. At the same time, the park is deeply valued by a wide range of users, from those who enjoy the outdoors and nature, to community restoration & conservation groups, adjoining landowners, recreational and commercial hunters. 

Hunting for kai/food and sport have a long history here – common since red deer were first established in the park, with around 5,000-6,000 hunters visiting the Park annually. 

So, the health of Ruahine Forest Park is our shared responsibility. 

What we’re aiming to do is to enhance the effectiveness of deer removal efforts, to reduce the browsing impact of wild deer. To achieve this, together with our Treaty Partners we will focus on better aligning our work, the aspirations of iwi, wild animal recovery operations, recreational hunting, and work of other stakeholders. 

Trevor Gratton, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association’s Lower North Island Board Rep & Hutt Valley Branch President says, “As hunters, we value the opportunity to hunt in Ruahine Forest Park, but we also understand the need to manage deer numbers to protect the forest. A healthy forest ensures a sustainable habitat for all wildlife and preserves this special place for future generations.” 

The adaptive management approach seeks to find solutions that addresses the conservation and management challenges of the park and maintains cultural and recreational values. 

Te Ao Māori: A Deep Connection to the Land

According to Māori kōrero tuku iho – stories passed from generation to generation – the range is part of the spine of the ika/fish Māui hauled up, known as Te Ika-a-Māui/the North Island. The Park holds significant value to tangata whenua, with deep connections through pā punanga/refuges, mahinga kai/food-gathering sites, the whakapapa/genealogy to the land that comes with place names, stories and wāhi tapu/sacred places. Kaitiakitanga/guardianship of the ngāhere/forest and the taonga/treasured flora and fauna is central to the role of tangata whenua. 

Why Now?

When we assumed responsibility for the park in 1987, deer numbers were relatively low due to active commercial aerial hunting through the 1970’s to 1980’s.  Since then, deer control has relied largely on recreational and commercial hunting, which has been declining over time. Thanks to additional funding, we are now expanding efforts to reduce deer numbers and monitor the effects on the forest. This builds on successful goat control programs and complements predator control projects happening in the park. 

What’s Next?

Together with local iwi/hapū we are drafting a deer management plan and getting advice from a newly established Community Deer Advisory Group.  

Trial actions are taking place this autumn, and findings will help inform our longer-term management approach: 

• NZ Deerstalkers Association hunt: We worked with the Lower Hutt Branch to make it easier for hunters to fly by helicopter into the Western/Central area of Ruahine Forest Park. The hunt took place on 14-17 March 2025. Around 80 deer were removed. Hunters targeted hinds and the branch will provide DOC with track logs and kill way points, and hunter observations. This will help us assess the effectiveness of the hunt. 

• DOC aerial management: In May and June, we will carry out aerial control in the remote and hard to access North-West deer Management Unit (MU) – an area of 12,056 hectares. This work also complements possum and rat control being carried out in the Northern Ruahine’s high priority ecosystem unit, an area which contains a rich and diverse range of habitats and species. Where practical and within budget limitations, we will work with community to harvest meat from this operation.  

• Industry/WARO incentivisation: We have contracted the commercial venison industry to harvest 300 deer, operating under normal WARO permit conditions. Lower weight deer harvest is being incentivised. The work will start May 2025 and finish when the harvest target is met. 

All three actions combined, make a start in addressing Ruahine deer impacts. We’ll continue working with the community to assess the effectiveness of each action and refine the deer management approach. 

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting collaboration. In the meantime, explore the beautiful Ruahine Forest Park this summer and consider getting involved in community conservation projects. 

Ruahine Forest Park’s future depends on all of us. Together, with adaptive deer management and a commitment to te taiao/the environment, we can ensure this precious ecosystem thrives for generations to come. 

MIL OSI