Hunting & Fishing

A passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors

The HeliServices.NZ team are passionate about hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Many of our pilots, ground crew, and guides have local hunting and fishing experience and are happy to share their knowledge with you.

HeliServices.NZ can fly you to remote and spectacular locations in New Zealand’s South Island to fish from our pristine rivers and coastlines and hunt the various introduced species that are found here, such as Himalayan Tahr, Chamois and Red Deer. We specialise in hunter transport into the Wanganui Catchment (Westland), Whataroa River and Perth River, Haast (and including all areas in between - Paringa, Jacobs River, and the Landsborough valley). We are registered as a suitable and qualified concessionaire with the Department of Conservation with concessions to land at remote sites in South Westland including sites opened during the Tahr ballot hunting blocks (eg. Mount Adams, Haast, Cascade and Landsborough valley).

We utilise one of the most versatile helicopters for this kind of work, the Hughes 500D. We have aircraft staged at specific locations throughout South Westland allowing us to offer the most competitive pricing.

Learn more about species and hunting & fishing packages below.

Customised trips to suit your needs and requirements

the great outdoors hunting nz by helicopter

young person hunting in south island mountains nz

lady trout fishing in remote south island nz

hunting by helicopter in the great outdoors nz

trout fishing by helicopter in the great outdoors nz

hunters prepare for the great outdoors nz

We customise every trip to suit your needs and requirements, and also offer guided trips from our Haast base, Franz Josef base, Fox Glacier Base, Whataroa Base and Karangarua Base. If you’re a keen angler, we can land you in some of the best trout fishing spots in New Zealand’s South Island, or you could spend a morning or evening heli-fishing some of our remote beaches.

For hunters, the West Coast of the South Island is renowned for its abundance of Himalayan Tahr, Red Deer, and Chamois and the best access into the alpine areas of the West Coast and the Southern Alps is by helicopter.

As a Department of Conservation concessionaire we have access to all South Westland areas available to hunt, including Tahr block and ROAR block sites during each annual open period and offer competitive pricing. We can offer various times throughout the day with aircraft based at several strageic locations up and down South Westland. This allows for the greater flexibility where others operate a single aircraft to cover all areas. Whether you are arriving directly off the Picton Ferry to get to a hunting site or flying into Christchurch or Hokitika and grabbing a rental or meeting friends and driving to us you don't want to muck around sourcing accommodation when you can fly straight into your site (subject to weather conditions of course).

Including the Haast region with a temperate climate so hunting is available all year round from our Haast flight office. With an abundance of camping huts available, you can spend a day, a week, or longer hunting and fishing in the spectacular regions of the South Island.

Several DOC huts in the Whataroa River and Perth River catchments are available for hunters to utilise such as Butler Junction Hut and Top Butler Hut, Whymper Hut, Nolans Hut, Scone Hut.

Huts are available to book through the Department of Conservation (DOC), and we have satellite communication devices available for hire. Learn more about the species in our area and enquire about your next hunting/fishing trip.

Our knowledge and expertise is second to none when it comes to hunting in South Westland. We know the terrain, we have the experience to make your next hunting trip a great success.

Plan your next trip now using the contact form below.

Hunting Species

Himalayan Tahr (Year Round)

The West Coast of the South Island is renowned for its abundance of Himalayan Tahr. Given that there is a trend for the species to spread southward, Tahr are accessible from either our Haast, Franz Josef or Tekapo bases.

Himalayan Tahr are similar in appearance to large goats and thrive in the Southern Alps of the South Island where they graze at high altitudes in alpine grasslands and subalpine shrublands.

Tahr cover a range of approximately 1.7 million hectares of the central South Island – spanning the Southern Alps from the headwaters of Canterbury's Rakaia River to the Young Range of Otago. Click here to access the Department of Conservation (DOC) website for more information.

Himalayan Tahr (Ballot period only)

Our HeliServicesNZ Haast base services the Hooker/Landsborough and the Adams Wilderness Area Tahr blocks, with helicopters situated at convenient locations for a cost-effective hunting trip.

Our Haast base in conjunction with our other bases in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are the longest-standing operator flying groups in and out of the blocks.

With Tahr numbers on the rise and spreading it doesn’t matter if you personally don’t have a block as we can position you into a area. Please contact us for more information.

BALLOT/BLOCK PROCESS

Applications will only be accepted through the new online application form on the Department Of Conservation website. The opening date and time for next applications will be advised closer to the time.

All correspondence for the next Red Deer & Tahr ballot must be sent to haasthuntingballot@doc.govt.nz

Red Deer (Year Round)

Red Deer are the most widespread deer species in New Zealand. Wild populations of Red Deer are established throughout most of the forested and tussock country from the Kaimai Range in the North Island to Stewart Island in the south.

There are many places that you can access from our bases where you can find these majestic animals, including the Haast area of South Westland on the South Island's West Coast. Click here for more information about Red Deer.

Red Deer (Roar block period only)

Chamois (Year Round)

Chamois are a species of goat-antelope found throughout the high country of the South Island from the Nelson Lakes area in the north to Fiordland in the south.

Chamois arrived in New Zealand in 1907 as a gift from the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph. They are known for their ability to occupy a range of mountain habitats, and will spread into lower altitude forest areas, especially on the West Coast of the South Island. Click here for more information about Chamois.

Mixed Bag

Fishing Packages

Trout Fishing

Trout are plentiful throughout New Zealand. Lakes, rivers, backcountry streams and creeks all offer fantastic opportunities to fish for Brown and Rainbow Trout.

In the South Island you can also fish for salmon in many places. Most waters in New Zealand are in the public domain. The South Island offers a variety of fishing experiences for the keen angler. Talk to us about drop offs and pick ups from your chosen location.

Our Haast flight office has many local trout fishing rivers only a short flight from the base. You can be in absolute wilderness peacefully fishing for your trophy Brown Trout in no time at all.

Haast flight packages:

Thomas River Hut $POA - please enquire haast@heliservices.nz
Okuru River $POA - please enquire haast@heliservices.nz
Moeraki River $POA - please enquire haast@heliservices.nz

Haast fishing packages:

PACKAGE ONE
A True Kiwi Fishing Experience

Gumboots and all equipment provided. Lunch available on request.

South Westland is home to some famous trout fishing rivers. The uniqueness of these remote alpine rivers makes for some fantastic and challenging trout fishing. Enjoy a flight into New Zealand's backcountry from Haast. The helicopter will stay with you throughout the day and transfer you to some 'ultimate' rivers. Guides available if needed.

PACKAGE TWO
Ultimate Heli-Fishing Getaway

All meals, equipment, and accommodation included.

Leave the busy tourist roads behind and come on a multi-day heli-fishing adventure. Tailormade to meet your requirements, the Ultimate Heli-Fishing Getaway can include multiple stops on the West Coast, and in the Lewis Pass National Park with overnight accommodation options in either a Kiwi-style bach or at Maruia Hot Springs thermal resort.

Fish the East Coast's braided rivers including the renowned Rakaia River. High country lakes including Lake Coleridge and Lake Tekapo are also a ‘must do’ with an option to stay overnight at a Kiwi country station or at Aoraki/Mt Cook Village.

This package can be tailormade to suit. Enquire today to discuss further.

Allow a couple of days for a trip like this!

Saltwater Fishing

Surfcasting on the West Coast is bountiful given the extensive remote coastline. Catch Snapper, Gurnard, Kahawai, Elephant Fish, School Sharks, Rig & Cod.

Surfcasting is a popular recreational pursuit on the West Coast because of the area’s rugged and remote coastline. You would be hard pushed to find a more beautiful fishing location. Catch Snapper, Gurnard, Kahawai, Elephant Fish, School Sharks, Rig & Cod.

PACKAGE ONE
Haast Coastal Fishing Packages

Half Day. Beginner or Experienced. Equipment provided.

Fish South Westland's rugged, untouched river mouths and isolated beaches (that are inaccessible via vehicle). Fish for the renowned Kahawai (Australian Salmon), Brown Trout or Chinook Salmon when it returns to the rivers to spawn after many years at sea (seasonal only).

Bring your own lunch or enjoy a heli stop at the famous South Westland Salmon Farm Café.

Please note: HeliServices.NZ supports and promotes safe and lawful hunting practices and we work with DOC to ensure that all regulations and laws are complied with. You require one or more permits to hunt in New Zealand on public conservation land. If you are unsure about what permits and permissions are required, please visit the DOC website.

The hunting of most native New Zealand wildlife is prohibited. Most native species are protected under the Wildlife Act (1953) and the maximum penalty for killing protected wildlife is a NZ$100,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Please leave our native wildlife for everyone to see and enjoy.

Hunting & Fishing flight transfers

Book your Hunting & Fishing flight transfer below. Locations are dependant on your departure point and choice of species.

Hunting & Fishing

1of 2

2of 2

Departing from:*
Species:
Species – departing from Fox/Franz
Species:
Species – departing from Haast
Location:
from Fox Franz
Location:
from Haast – Himalayan Tahr
Location:
from Haast – Chamois
Location:
from Haast – Trout Fishing
Location:
from Haast – Salt Water Fishing
Location:
from Haast – Red Deer
Location:
from Haast – Himalayan Tahr (ballot period only)*
Location:
from Haast – Red Deer (roar block period only)*
Location:
from Haast – Mixed Bag
One-way or Return:*
- One-way
- Round-trip
Preferred departure date:
DD slash MM slash YYYY
Preferred return date:
DD slash MM slash YYYY
Preferred departure time:

1of 2

2of 2

Departing from:*
Species:
Species – departing from Fox/Franz
Species:
Species – departing from Haast
Location:
from Fox Franz
Location:
from Haast – Himalayan Tahr
Location:
from Haast – Chamois
Location:
from Haast – Trout Fishing
Location:
from Haast – Salt Water Fishing
Location:
from Haast – Red Deer
Location:
from Haast – Himalayan Tahr (ballot period only)*
Location:
from Haast – Red Deer (roar block period only)*
Location:
from Haast – Mixed Bag
One-way or Return:*
- One-way
- Round-trip
Preferred departure date:
DD slash MM slash YYYY
Preferred return date:
DD slash MM slash YYYY
Preferred departure time:

Hunting & Fishing

A passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors

Customised trips to suit your needs and requirements

Hunting Species

BALLOT/BLOCK PROCESS

Fishing Packages

Haast flight packages:

Haast fishing packages:

The hunting of most native New Zealand wildlife is prohibited. Most native species are protected under the Wildlife Act (1953) and the maximum penalty for killing protected wildlife is a NZ$100,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Please leave our native wildlife for everyone to see and enjoy.

Hunting & Fishing flight transfers

Hunting & Fishing

Scenic Flights Departure Locations

Our booking offices are open 7 days a week. We recommend contacting us the day prior to your flight to confirm the scheduled flight is going ahead.

FRANZ JOSEF
Alpine Adventure Centre, 29 Main Road, Franz Josef
Phone: 03 752 0793

FOX GLACIER
Fox Guides Building, 44 Main Road, Fox Glacier
Phone: 03 751 0866

HAAST
Cnr Marks Rd, State Highway 6, Haast
Phone: 03 7500 111

Flight routes may vary due to weather conditions. Minimum numbers apply.

Hunting & Fishing

A passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors

Customised trips to suit your needs and requirements

Hunting Species

Fishing Packages

The hunting of most native New Zealand wildlife is prohibited. Most native species are protected under the Wildlife Act (1953) and the maximum penalty for killing protected wildlife is a NZ$100,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Please leave our native wildlife for everyone to see and enjoy.

Hunting & Fishing flight transfers

Hunting & Fishing

Scenic Flights Departure Locations

Our booking offices are open 7 days a week. We recommend contacting us the day prior to your flight to confirm the scheduled flight is going ahead.

FRANZ JOSEF Alpine Adventure Centre, 29 Main Road, Franz Josef Phone: 03 752 0793

FOX GLACIER Fox Guides Building, 44 Main Road, Fox Glacier Phone: 03 751 0866

HAAST Cnr Marks Rd, State Highway 6, Haast Phone: 03 7500 111

Flight routes may vary due to weather conditions. Minimum numbers apply.

FRANZ JOSEF
Alpine Adventure Centre, 29 Main Road, Franz Josef
Phone: 03 752 0793

FOX GLACIER
Fox Guides Building, 44 Main Road, Fox Glacier
Phone: 03 751 0866

HAAST
Cnr Marks Rd, State Highway 6, Haast
Phone: 03 7500 111