About this hunting block

Animals present are pigs and red deer.

General information

This block covers the Mill Creek Scenic Reserve.

Beech/tawhai forest covers much of the area, with some tussock grasslands and mixed scrub on the tops. It is mostly rolling country but there are some steep bluffs in the lower main gorge.

Hunting is not permitted from the cattle yards to the block boundary, or within 500 m of any houses.

Roar ballot

These hunting blocks make up part of the Coastal Otago ballot group.

Blocks are allocated through a ballot draw and are allocated for a [three or four day period].

The balloted period is 20 March to 20 April.

Applications will only be accepted through the online hunting permit system.

• Applications will open on 1 October.
• Applications close on 30 November.
• Applications are limited to 5 choices
• You can submit only one application per party.
• All party members must be listed on the application.
• No individual may be part of more than one application.

Successful applicants will be notified automatically following the draw on 4 December 2026. This notification will include a link to confirm the allocated block.

Blocks must be confirmed by 18 December 2026. Permits will be sent automatically following confirmation.

Reallocation of blocks

Any remaining blocks after the initial draw will be automatically reallocated to unsuccessful applicants where possible.

After the reallocation process is completed, any remaining leftover blocks will be made available online on a first-come, first served basis.

Administration fee

At this stage, no administration fee will be charged for the roar ballot. But this fee may be introduced in future ballots to cover the costs associated with administering the roar block system.

Roar block maps

• Mill Creek roar block 1 map (PDF, 1,659K)
• Mill Creek roar block 2 map (PDF, 1,659K)

Access

Access is via Waipori Falls Road from Berwick, then up Koefords Road to the cattle yards. The road this far is suitable for all vehicles; from here access is on foot.

There are access routes that cross private land, but you will need landholder permission to use these routes.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CE15, CE16

Know before you go

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit. If accessing the block over private land, you must have landholder permission to take your dog.