Restricted access to Ruahine Forest Park via a private road through Big Hill Station is permitted by agreement with the landowner.
Strict conditions are in place to mitigate issues relating to safety and disruptions to their farming operations. A ballot system is run to manage access fairly.

Access agreement
Big Hill Station management has an access agreement with DOC, with the following conditions:

This agreement allows for two hunting parties and one recreation party per week to access Ruahine Forest Park via a private road through Big Hill Station. It does not allow the permit holder to enter any other private land.
Access permits are issued for a period of one week from Friday to the following Thursday.
One vehicle is permitted per party.
You may only make one trip in and one trip out during your permit period.
Entry times:
5:00pm - 6:00pm Friday or
7:30am - 8:30am Saturday.

Note: Occasionally access may be denied or deferred to conform with stock movements or other station activities.

General conditions
Access is via a single lane farm road.
You must keep vehicle speed below 15km/hour at all times and recognise that stock and vehicles belonging to the station have priority use of the road.
Extreme care must be taken at all times.
Do not disturb livestock. Leave gates as you find them and ensure that they are properly latched.
Do not venture beyond agreed access and park boundaries. Most conservation areas are signposted but boundaries are not always clearly defined. Make sure you know where the boundaries are and, if in doubt, check with the adjoining landowner or the local DOC office.The western boundary begins at GMT coordinates E2790694 N6176095, about 3km before the end of No Man's Road. A copy of this map showing boundaries will be sent with the permit to successful applicants. Map showing boundaries (PDF, 353K) (opens in new window).
Big Hill Station access permits only allow the holder to enter the Ruahine Forest Park via the Big Hill Station farm road. It does not give you permission to cross any other private land.
Te Koau and Awarua O Hinemanu blocks on the western side of the park boundary are privately owned. You must get a permit from the landowner to access these blocks.
Note: Access is closed to the public from August to October due to the lambing season.

Access permit and vehicle card
Successful applicants will receive an access permit confirmation letter, which must be produced if requested. This will include a vehicle card, which must be displayed where it can be easily seen on your windscreen for the duration of your trip. It will also include a landowner notification slip, which must be left in the Big Hill Station letterbox.

One permit per party leader will be issued for the season.
The party leader for hunting access must be 16 years and over and hold a valid firearms licence.
The access permit is valid only for the named party leader.
Should the party leader be unable to make the trip, the permit is not transferrable to other members of the party and will be cancelled.
If you are unable to make your trip, please advise the Palmerston North Office.
Note: The permit is for access only - stopping or shooting on Big Hill Station is illegal.

Check-In Time

Between 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm

Check-Out Time

10:00 am

Reception Hours

8am - 6pm