This area would now be drained grassland if it were not for Fish & Game (what was then the Acclimatisation Society) buying over 200 hectares of wetlands. The Fish & Game wetlands are also adjacent to the sizable privately owned Ryburns Lagoon.

The Dean, Blythen, McKenzie and Cathcart Wetlands have established ponds and maimais. Hunting is only permitted from the hunting stands. Permits are required for entry - available free from Fish & Game Office (select here to request a permit).

Sites are balloted but anyone may hunt when stands are vacant after 7:30am later in the season. Please select here to view area outlines.

Access to the Fish & Game Wetlands

Dean Wetland

Access via McIntyre Road (off Kellyville Road), Pokeno–Mercer (POINT 1). Vehicular access is available to designated parking areas, with foot access thereafter to 19 ponds and maimais.

Access is also available via the Mercer Boat Ramp off Mercer Esplanade (POINT 2), with a smaller ramp off Riverside Road, Mercer. Many hunters use this access to reach the Waikato River in the Mercer area.

McKenzie Wetland

Access is via Pioneer Road at the Mangatawhiri River bridge (POINT 3). Entry is through the gated track behind the metal pile beside the bridge. Off-road vehicle parking is available during the hunting season; the gate is otherwise locked outside the season. Hunters may use the vehicle track running along the true right bank of the Mangatawhiri River.

Please note that the first property on the left, signposted as “North Emmett Wetland,” is closed to hunting access.

Blythen Wetland

Foot access to Blythen Wetland is via McKenzie Wetland. Hunters should enter through the McKenzie Wetland access off Pioneer Road and continue on foot from there.

During periods of flooding, safe access across Mill Creek is available via the footbridge.

Cathcart Wetland

Foot access to Cathcart Wetland is via McKenzie Wetland. Hunters should enter through the McKenzie Wetland access off Pioneer Road and continue on foot from there.

During periods of flooding, safe access across Mill Creek is available via the footbridge.