GAC Update: Sika Herd of Special Interest

Sika Herd of Special Interest

By Kaylyn Pinney, Acting General Manager of the NZ Game Animal Council

Caption: GAC and Sika Foundation exploring what a Sika HOSI might look like during the proposal development phase

In early April, the Minister for Hunting and Fishing announced that he has decided to begin the process to explore formally designating a Sika Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks. This is made possible under the Game Animal Council Act 2013.

The Central North Island Sika Foundation has put a significant amount of work into their Sika HOSI proposal and the GAC was pleased to see this recognised through the Minister’s decision.

The next steps in the HOSI process include targeted consultation with stakeholders, the development of a draft herd management plan and public consultation on the herd management plan.

This is a big step in the right direction for game animal management in New Zealand. Government resources are finite, so enabling community to undertake effective sustainable deer management achieves the best long-term outcomes for New Zealand.

Goals of HOSI

HOSI provides an opportunity to proactively manage New Zealand game animals to reduce their environmental impacts while recognising the value and benefits they provide to our communities.

The goals of the proposed Sika HOSI are to enhance hunter participation in sika deer management, improve hunter satisfaction with sika venison quality and hunting experience, and reduce animal numbers to achieve sustainable forest regeneration.

Sika in the Central North Island

Since the introduction of sika to the Central North Island in 1904, the management of this deer herd has been inconsistent, leading to long periods where sika have been over-abundant in the Kaweka and Kaimanawa Forest Parks.

Where sika are allowed to become over-abundant, they cause significant impacts on the environment and prevent the forest canopy from regenerating.

Government culling in the Kaweka Forest Park between 1998 and 2015 caused a temporary reduction in the sika population but since then, government investment has been directed elsewhere, and sika numbers have risen again.

The Sika Foundation has been actively managing sika deer in a small area for the past five years and as a result are seeing improved forest canopy regeneration, healthier sika, eight tonnes of venison donated to local foodbanks and thousands of hours of voluntary contributions to local conservation initiatives.

The Sika HOSI presents an opportunity to support the Sika Foundation in increasing their current efforts to a much larger area.

Hunter contributions deserve to be recognised

The contribution that our hunting community makes to conservation is invaluable and moving some of New Zealand’s special herds into HOSI will enable those contributions – which have been occurring for many years – to be recognised and valued through legislation.

We know that you may have some questions about the Sika HOSI proposal and wider HOSI process. We’ve updated our website with information about HOSI – I encourage you to take a look and also engage with the public consultation process on the Sika HOSI draft herd management plan. We will share information about this on our channels when it’s available.

See information on our website at www.nzgac.org.nz/herds-of-special-interest

Until next time,

KP.

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