New Zealand Hunting Safaris Information

On this page you will find useful information you may need to know before hunting in New Zealand

High Country Climate and Expected Weather conditions

Autumn – March, April, May. Warm to cool during daylight hours, some frosts at night with little or no snow.

Winter – June, July, August. Often still some sun but cooler conditions during most days. Below freezing at night common with some permanent snow laying around.

Late Spring and Summer – November to February. Warm to hot during the day with cool nights. Intermittent rain at times.

Clothing for hunting in New Zealand

While on safari the use of loose fitting, warm and appropriately coloured clothing is recommended.

Soft colours as with olives are excellent, however there are many camouflage patterns available that fit our surroundings. In winter hunts, it is advisable to carry thermal underwear, and polar fleece or woollen outer garments. At all times, a good lightweight water proof jacket is needed.

We do not suggest denim jean type materials or footwear as light as running shoes. We do emphasise that boots perform the most critical part of the hunt, they need to be reasonably light, leather, with a traction sole

Fitness Level for the New Zealand terrain

Most of our guided hunting is over mountainous terrain, however we have places that are ideal for big game hunting on less steep country so that the less fit can enjoy excellent success. However our High country free rang or wilderness hunts require hunters to be in good shape.

Our Package Hunts however are not as physically challenging as the Wilderness Hunts and can be tailored for most fitness levels. In some cases there is the support of additional aids such as aerial transport to recover hunted game.

Firearms in New Zealand

Legal rifles and shotguns can be bought into New Zealand with just a NZ$25 licensing fee. The NZ Police Firearms licensing application to be forwarded before arrival. Or suitable rifles and ammunition will be supplied upon request free of charge, no license required.

Recommended calibers are from 6mm to the larger 30 caliber magnums. Bullet weights from 100 grains to 180 grains

New Zealand’s Outdoors

So diverse are the opportunities for the Trophy Hunter. New Zealand consists of two main islands, the North Island being less mountainous than the South Island.

The pride of the South Island is it’s mountain chain, the Southern Alps. New Zealand’s outdoors are a glowing example of many environments and landforms.

As you travel from the coast line to the island’s centres, you will encounter spectacular changes caused hugely by climate and geological structure. Few animals were here upon man’s first arrival. New Zealand being mainly a large sanctuary for bird life, with no known predominant predators.

Wild animals as we know today, were transplanted by the very earliest of white settlers and became established at a rapid rate. Most likely due to the plentiful rainfall, vegetation and the absence of predation, apart from man.

An overseas visitor will soon notice these rapid changes in climate. This may be better understood by noting the size and shape of New Zealand’s coastline and adding several different sea currents and two prominent wind directions.

As the land mass is so diverse, both rain or sun can become quickly expected or accepted. Wild animals, as with all wildlife, are dependent upon their early instinctive weather forecasting ability. The study of this behaviour enables a good hunting guide to help determine where there are better hunting prospects. A factor that Kiwi Wilderness Safaris are most aware of

New Zealand Climatic Conditions

The seasons in New Zealand are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. Winter is during June, July, August. During a 7-10 day period one may expect a few days of rain or snow in this season.

Summer (December, January, February) and Autumn (March, April, May), however, are at times hot, though there is distinct cooling during the evenings especially during the Autumn season in the High Country. The best of the settled weather is usually late Summer and early Autumn.