A Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) is a herd of game animals on public conservation land that has been formally designated by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing (the Minister) to be managed for hunting, while ensuring conservation values continue to be protected. Designation of HOSI is provided for through the Game Animal Council Act 2013.
HOSI is a key focus for the Game Animal Council (GAC). It signals the first shift in New Zealand where the value of a game animal herd can be recognised and directly influence how that herd is managed on public conservation land.
For a HOSI to be designated, the Minister needs to be satisfied that the game animal herd is of special interest to hunters and can be managed for hunting purposes in a way that is consistent with the wider conservation framework.
See a fact sheet on HOSI here (PDF File).
Learn more about HOSI
The HOSI process – Read about the three phases within the HOSI process.
Our role in HOSI – Read about the GAC’s role in HOSI, the GAC HOSI Policy, what support we offer proposers, and why we evaluate HOSI proposals before they are submitted to the Minister for consideration.
Current HOSI proposals – See what current HOSI proposals there are.
Frequently asked questions – See a list of frequently asked HOSI questions. Got a question to ask? Send it to us at admin@nzgac.org.nz
Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill – See information about the Government’s proposed change to the Game Animal Council Act 2013 to enable HOSI in a national park.