How many deer has the Sika Foundation killed, including as part of its mandate to manage deer populations, since 2015, broken down by year?

Answer

I am advised that since the Sika Foundation began formal management of the deer population in 2022 and they have removed 1,668 deer according to figures provided to the Department of Conservation. Of these, 1,519 have been removed in the Remote Experience Zone (REZ) of the Kaimanawa Forest Park where a reduction in the population is urgently needed to support forest regeneration. Deer shot by year: 2022/2023 338 deer (REZ) 2023/2024 438 deer (REZ) 2024/2025 317 deer (REZ) 2025/2026 575 deer (426 REZ; 149 in the Kaweka Forest Park) Sika Foundation operations to date have primarily focussed on the Remote Experience Zone of the Kaimanawa Forest Park due to the very poor condition of the deer and the degraded condition of the forest. In 2025, deer management also commenced in the northern Kaweka Forest Park where similar issues with herd quality and forest conditions are also evident.