New Zealand’s Premier Sporting Lodge
Design your own dream hunt
Welcome to Poronui — We offer superb New Zealand Red Stag hunting and trophy hunting for Sika and Rusa Stags, and Fallow Buck at our luxury North Island Hunting lodge.
The Best New Zealand Hunting Experience
Poronui is a 16,000-acre private sporting estate on New Zealand’s North Island, located in Taupo. Poronui offers Red Stag, Sika, Fallow and Rusa deer hunting, and is New Zealand’s only Orvis-endorsed wingshooting lodge for driven pheasant. Poronui is also the site of New Zealand’s first successful sika deer liberation, released in January 1905.
Stalk big Red Stags through Poronui’s native beech forest and across scrub-covered hills, wade streams and crawl around fallen logs to get into the perfect position to take your shot at a bucket-list animal. The terrain is challenging but achievable and the hunt is always exciting. Our experienced guides are passionate and knowledgeable and will lead you on the adventure of a lifetime.
Part of what makes Poronui different is that you can shoot four New Zealand North Island deer species; Red Stag, Sika, Fallow and Rusa, in one place.
A Trusted Name in New Zealand Hunting
Poronui’s land was first surveyed in 1877, and sika deer were released here in 1905, New Zealand’s first successful sika liberation.
Founded as a fishing lodge by Simon Dickie in the early 1980s, Poronui officially joined the ranks of the world’s elite sporting lodges in 1986, and has operated continuously for nearly 40 years since. The lodge was awarded a Grand Award and a Special Recognition Award by Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, whose reviewers travel anonymously and pay full rate for every stay.
Poronui’s Red Stag trophies are scored using the internationally recognized SCI (Safari Club International) system, with entry-level animals at 400 SCI, considered a world-standard representative trophy, and record-book class animals reaching 600 SCI and above.
Behind every trophy is a team who has spent decades getting to know this land, and who take as much care in the experience as they do in the hunt itself.
Luxurious Accommodation
The Poronui estate features three different accommodation options. Choose from the relaxed atmosphere of the Lodge, the seclusion of Blake House private villa or the unplugged, rustic Safari Camp.
“"I am so happy with my entire NZ experience — you and Mark were a big part of it. Every detail was memorable, right down to a celebratory drink on the mountain that I won't forget. I'm already telling friends they'll want to join me next time around!"”
– Scott Nellis
“"I'd dreamed about hunting a red stag in New Zealand for almost 20 years, and Poronui was even better than I imagined. The hunting was unbelievable, challenging, fair, and exactly the spot-and-stalk experience I'd always wanted. I've been back twice since that first trip, and what keeps bringing me back is the people. The hunting is over the top, but the staff are really what make it special."”
– Shane Tunnell
“"Poronui has been part of my life for more than 18 years now. At this point, it feels like a second home. Sika hunting is my absolute favorite there's nowhere better to chase that kind of trophy. Watching my son make an incredible 280-meter uphill shot in the rain is a moment our family will never forget."”
– Adrian Martin
“"I chose Poronui because of the people I spoke with, their genuine interest in giving me a true hunt rather than just a harvest. That first trip remains one of my most memorable hunting experiences, and the lodge felt like a five-star retreat, away from the stress of business life. Their staff are the heart of the experience, it's clear they're like a family."”
– Mark Corrao
“"I was only hoping for a red stag around 450 points, and ended up with a 9-year-old, 700-point stag, one of the biggest ever harvested on the property. My wife and I also went fly fishing by helicopter and she landed a huge brown trout. The cooks and their meals were amazing. We're already planning to come back in two years for a family hunting trip."”
– Rick Tromble
“"Winning a hunt at Poronui felt unreal, and I'm still in awe of that whole trip. I took my first-ever red stag with a bow on day one, then spent the rest of the week chasing sika and fly fishing. Poronui is special because of the people, as soon as you go through those gates, you're family. I was sad leaving. I can't not go back."”
– John Tate
“If you're craving nature, but you don't want to be deprived of comfort or luxury, set a course for Poronui Lodge - preferably by helicopter, although a car will do. Forty minutes from Taupo along SH5, Poronui (Māori for "part of something bigger") is approached through towering working forests and is regarded as one of the world's finest luxury wilderness lodges. Set on 8200ha of farmland, you'll be torn between staying in the lavish lodge, in one of the cabins, or going glamping down by the river. Fly-fishing and hunting are the main attractions but you can also go horse riding, mountain biking, enjoy cultural experiences or spa treatments. This is the kind of place where, whatever you want, you can have it.”
– Elisabeth E
“We stayed at Poronui Lodge for a family celebration. From our arrival to our departure, the staff treated us like family and couldn't do more to help us throughout our time there. The Lodge organized guided hiking, mountain biking and horse riding along with cooking demonstrations and clay bird shooting.
During the day and in the evening we retired to the Lodge to enjoy the log fire lively chat about the days events and excellent cuisine.
As a sporting Lodge there is the opportunity to partake in back country fly fishing, deer stalking and pheasant shooting in season.
Whatever your reason for travelling to Poronui, you will be made to feel part of their family whilst having the opportunity to pursue your passion on a beautiful estate far away from the rush of everyday life.”
– drwoof
“Poronui Lodge was one of the most incredible experiences. My husband and I travel extensively and we had the opportunity take a 3 day weekend from our intense working schedule and were looking for rest. I happened upon Poronui Lodge and it had availability. I was in luck. We do not hunt, fish or horse ride but the location and the idea of sharing dinner with others etc., appealed. Off we went and boy we were blown away. The location, the food, and more importantly the staff and the service were as perfect and as excellent as you could ever wish to have. We want to say the biggest biggest thank you to CLAIRE, BEN & LISA who made our stay so exceptional. We will be back. We loved every single moment of our experience, including the Safari Camp night ! 100/100.”
– Jacqueline S
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