Urutawa Conservation Area
Alerts
Boundaries are approximate and not suitable for accurate boundary definition. Check current DOC permit conditions before hunting. Data retrieved 31 July 2026 and may now be out of date.
Deer - Red, Goats, Pigs
A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.
This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online.
Dogs with a DOC permit (contact the relevant DOC office) and a current kiwi aversion certificate only.
About this hunting block
Deer, pigs and goats are present in this reserve.
General information
Pig and deer hunting is popular in this reserve, deer, pig, and goat numbers are generally low to moderate within Urutawa Conservation Area.
There is a long running goat control programme which has reduced goats to very low densities in the Conservation Area, if you see goats in this area please shoot and/or advise DOC Biodiversity staff in the Ōpōtiki office of the location, number, and colour of the goats seen.
Terrain is characterised by steep gullies up to the ridges, dense understory and numerous small streams. There are three huts within the Urutawa Conservation Area (Pakihi, Te Waiti and Manganuku Huts).
Access
There are a number of access points along SH2 in the Waioweka Gorge, both Te Waiti and Pakihi Road ends, and the Mōtū Road which is part of the newly established Mōtū Trails Cycleway.
The Pakihi Hut is located at a central location along the track, and can be walked to from either the Mōtū Road or the Pakihi Road end.
The Te Waiti hut can be accessed via the Te Waiti Road end, the last kilometre of this road is privately owned by the Bush Haven Lodge where safe vehicle parking can be obtained at a cost.
Access to the Manganuku Hut is via the Manganuku rest area situated approximately 50 km south of Ōpōtiki along SH2 in the Waioweka Gorge.
Landholders
The Conservation Area is surrounded by a mix of both public and private land. The western edge is mainly public land, joins the Waioweka Gorge Scenic Reserve, the north, east and southern edges are primarily private land.
You must obtain landowner permission before crossing any parcel of private land.
Maps
NZTopo50 BE41, BF41
Know before you go
Dogs
To take dogs into this area get authorisation from the Gisborne DOC Office. To take dogs across private property you must get permission from the landowner.
Help control wallabies in this area by reporting sightings
Wallabies can displace other species, affect pastures and native species' habitats.
They also potentially impact production and native ecosystems.
Report your sighting online – it only takes a few minutes.
You can also report wallaby sightings by calling 0800 80 99 66.
Weather
Forecast near the middle of the block