Hunting for Red Deer on Labour Weekend

In this episode, I head out on a Labour Weekend hunting trip in search of deer across the central North Island. I start in the Kaimai Range, walking north along the North–South Track from State Highway 29, exploring the dense bush and rugged ridgelines as I look for signs of movement. The next day, I drive south through Murupara and into the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park, a place of towering podocarp forest and deep green valleys. I stop by the Waiatiu Falls before following a nearby creek, spotting plenty of pig and deer sign along the way. The forest here feels ancient — filled with giant trees, thick ferns, and the constant sound of native birds echoing through the valleys. As the day winds down, I visit the peaceful Arohaki Lagoon before beginning the long drive back home to Auckland.