Poronui

The Lodge, perched above the ‘home pool’ on the Taharua River, exudes a warm welcome. The kitchen is renowned for its gourmet food, expertly prepared by our team of chefs who pride themselves on sourcing locally and in season. Whether its afternoon tea by the crackling log fire, après activity drinks and finger food around the bar, or canapés and pre-dinner cocktails on the sunny deck, the atmosphere is relaxed and informal.

Pheasant Shooting guests at Poronui Lodge enjoy world-class hospitality, including a two-night stay at the luxury lodge, fine dining, and drinks in a convivial, relaxing atmosphere. The lodge offers eight warmly welcoming, luxuriously appointed guest cabins, each blending rustic charm with modern comforts. From balconies overlooking the river, guests can savour the beauty and spirit of this remarkable location while sharing experiences with fellow adventurers and the dedicated team. Spacious interiors feature timeless furnishings, ensuite bathrooms, and private decks, with king beds convertible to twin share on request. There are two Superior Lodge Suites, each with a private balcony overlooking the Taharua River, and a newly built Superior Cabin boasting breathtaking views of the valley.

The valley boasts endless options for thrilling pheasant drives. On many of them, you can catch the hum of set wings as pheasants burst from the crowns of towering beech trees and streak over the gunline.

With 16, 000acres of picturesque valley, Poronui maintains a balance of hunting and shooting alongside a commercial, low impact farm. Over a third of the property is covered by indigenous virgin beech forest. Beech forests also form the boundaries to the west and east, attracting abundant and diverse bird life. There are numerous wetland and scrubland ecosystems, comprising of mostly native plant species. The Taharua River runs through the centre of the valley and the famous Mohaka River forms the southern boundary. These rivers were granted status among New Zealand’s most important water bodies by being given the full protection of a National Water Conservation Order.

Poronui is committed to preserving its land for future generations through exceptional environmental management. We exceed legal and regulatory standards, continually innovating to strengthen our policies. Thanks to its isolation and visionary stewardship, Poronui’s native ecosystems thrive, creating a wilderness retreat of extraordinary ecological value. We actively protect this natural treasure so visitors can experience its remarkable beauty today while ensuring it endures for generations to come.

A driven shooting day at Poronui is friendly yet well-organized. It begins with a hearty Lodge breakfast, followed by peg drawing with the shoot captain at 9am and the first drives at 9:30am. Guests enjoy elevenses in the field, lunch at The Stables, and more drives in the afternoon. The day concludes with relaxed drinks and nibbles in the outdoor cabana, offering time to mingle with gamekeepers, beaters, and pickers. Back at the lodge, dinner and riverside canapés provide the perfect setting for sharing stories in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

At Poronui we shoot 8 guns in a line and bags of 200-300 birds for the day. The cost is NZD$155/bird (includes GST and ammunition). We use Gamebore Black Gold in 20G or 12G 30-32g 5’s. *200 bird day is $3875 NZD *300 bird day $5812.50 NZD

The accommodation cost are in addition to the shooting charges and lodge rates include daily country breakfast, light lunch, canapes, gourmet dinner, house beverages, and same day personal laundry service.

Non-hunter/shooter guests welcome and we can help with an itinerary for their enjoyment.

We can also arrange walked up mini-driven days, added deer stalking or trout fishing.

Secluded yet conveniently located Nestled in the secluded Taharua Valley, Poronui is located in the Central Plateau region between Taupo and Napier. Guests can arrive by car, plane or helicopter or ask about our pick-up transfer options from Taupo, Napier or Rotorua airports. Taupo has a small airport that is roughly one hour’s flight from Auckland or Wellington

Discover the heart of New Zealand’s North Island—where challenging pheasant shooting meet world-class trout fishing and thrilling deer stalking. A landscape so stunning, you’ll have to see it to believe it.