Contact Spey Creek
Come hunt with us on our private hunting ranch in beautiful Kaikoura, New Zealand, where the mountains meet the sea.
U.S. Contact Details
• Phone Wyatt McBride
559-303-4289
• Phone John W McBride
559-901-9505
• Fax: 800-878-7312
• 1525 East Noble
Suite 113
Visalia, CA 93292
NZ Contact Details
• Phone: 011-64-3-319-7169
• 125 Scarborough Terrace
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Download our brochure now
NRA Article
HollyWood Hunter Episode At Spey Creek
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting FAQ & Help
Have a look through our FAQ for answers to general questions you may have about Spey Creek Trophy Hunting, New Zealand. Most answers to your questions can be found here. If you don't find the information you need, please contact us for more.
- Do you own the property?
- What accommodation is available at Spey Creek?
- Where is the trophy hunting ranch located?
- Are photo safaris available?
- Is a good taxidermist available?
- What does it cost to ship trophy hides and horns to the U.S. from New Zealand?
- What is the exchange rate?
- Is it free range or game estate hunting?
- What time of the year is the best to hunt in New Zealand?
- Are hunting licenses and/or fees required?
- Is there a problem bringing a rifle into New Zealand?
- What caliber of rifle is best?
- Is ammunition available in New Zealand?
- What kind of weather can be expected while hunting in New Zealand?
- What gear will I need to bring?
- How long are the shots?
- Where do I fly into, and how long is the flight to New Zealand?
- How far is Christchurch airport from Kaikoura and how will I get from the airport to Spey Creek trophy hunting ranch?
- What airlines fly to New Zealand from the U.S.?
- How much is the airfare from the U.S. to New Zealand?
- Is New Zealand a good place to bring friend(s) or family, especially if they don’t hunt?
- Is there anything else I should know?
ANSWERS:
- Do you own the property?
YES! Unlike many outfitters, who tend to lease, we own the ranch!
- What accommodation is available at Spey Creek?
We have a new four bedroom, four bathroom lodge with large California King beds set right amongst the hunting terrain. Each room is tastefully decorated with local Kaikoura and New Zealand art as well as comfy featherbeds and featherdown duvets. If you arrive early or wish to stay over in Kaikoura after your hunt we have several different levels of accommodation we can recommend on request.
- Where is the trophy hunting ranch located?
On the northeast coast of the South Island of New Zealand, approximately 45 minutes from Kaikoura. Click here to view a location map >>
- Are photo safaris available?
Yes, most definitely. In fact, every visitor will want to capture the beauty of the area on film.
- Is a good taxidermist available?
Yes, there’s an excellent taxidermist in Christchurch. We’ll take you by to meet them. With the exchange rate (about seventy cents to the U.S. dollar), it is worth considering having your trophies mounted in New Zealand.
- What does it cost to ship trophy hides and horns to the U.S. from New Zealand?
Trophy preparation, documents, and packaging average around $150(US) per trophy.
Freight is additional and varies depending upon quantity of animals and destination.
- What is the exchange rate?
Of course it varies, but the exchange rate of the New Zealand dollar is about $.80 to the U.S. Dollar.
- Is it free range or game estate hunting?
Both are offered on the ranch. We’ll tailor the hunt to your desire.
- What time of the year is the best to hunt in New Zealand?
The best hunting in New Zealand is from March through July, but you can hunt New Zealand any time of the year.
- Are hunting licenses and/or fees required?
Good news! New Zealand requires no licenses, fees or limited seasons for big game hunting.
A license is required for waterfowl hunting and fishing. A one week fishing or bird license costs about $20 USD.
- Is there a problem bringing a rifle into New Zealand?
Not at all, but you will have to register your rifle with the police at the Auckland airport upon your arrival, and you’ll need to pay a $25NZD fee. We will send you all necessary paperwork before you depart. Plan to pack only your rifle, though. Pistols are not allowed in New Zealand.
- What caliber of rifle is best?
Anything between a .270 and a 300. If you would prefer using our guns to hauling your own, we offer .270 and 7mm rifles. But we do ask that you let us know ahead of your arrival so that we can reserve a rifle for you.
- Is ammunition available in New Zealand?
Yes, but you’ll be happier if you bring it from the U.S. The selection isn’t as good as you’d find at home, and all ammunition is more expensive in New Zealand. For airport security reasons, be sure that your ammunition is in its original package or an ammunition container, separate from your gun. One box of shells should be plenty, but we recommend bringing two, just in case. Airlines typically limit passengers to eleven pounds of ammunition. Check with your airlines or travel agent before leaving.
- What kind of weather can be expected while hunting in New Zealand?
Have you hunted the Rockies? Conditions are similar in New Zealand. The weather can range from cold to shirtsleeve warm. But we can almost promise that you’ll experience rain. Come with wet
weather gear.
- What gear will I need to bring?
Bring all your usual hunting/fishing gear – boots, binoculars, ammo, backpack, flashlight, camera, rain gear, etc. We’ll provide the bedding, cooking equipment and food.
- How long are the shots?
Every effort will be made to position the hunter within 150 yards or less, but be proficient at shooting up to 300 yards.
- Where do I fly into, and how long is the flight to New Zealand?
You will go through customs in the city where you first arrive in New Zealand (either Auckland or Christchurch). If you first fly into Auckland you will then fly on to Christchurch. Expect a flight of about 12 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland, then another hour in route to Christchurch.
- How far is Christchurch airport from Kaikoura and how will I get from the airport to the ranch?
We will pick you up at the Christchurch airport for the two-hour drive north to our hunting ranch in Kaikoura. View a South Island map here >>
- What airlines fly to New Zealand from the U.S.?
Qantas and Air New Zealand are the two major airlines that fly to New Zealand. American Airlines are partners with Qantas, and United partners with Air New Zealand. Frequent flyer miles can be
used to purchase tickets, which currently require approximately 70,000 frequent flyer miles for a round trip ticket. Check with your airlines. Air New Zealand offers a discount flight from Los Angeles to
Christchurch three times a week.
How much is the airfare from the U.S. to New Zealand?
Typically, round-trip coach is about $1,250 per person from Los Angeles or San Francisco to New Zealand. Esplanade Travel specialise in travel to NZ, both air and ground transportation. Contact Jackie Keith or Kit Shultze on 0800 628 4893. Tell them you are hunting with is and they will take great care of you! (jkeith@esplanadetours.com kit@esplanadetours.com)
- Is New Zealand a good place to bring friend(s) or family, especially if they don’t hunt?
Yes, Kaikoura is an excellent location for any vacationer. It’s stunningly beautiful. Within an hour of the ranch, a huge variety of activities beckons any visitor. No one could possibly be bored!
- Is there anything else I should know?
Medical + Security Evacuation Services:
Global Rescue is the premier provider of medical, security, advisory and evacuation services worldwide. The life-saving value of these services can’t be overstated.
If you become ill or injured while traveling and require inpatient hospitalization, Global Rescue will come get you, by any means necessary and evacuate you to your home country hospital of choice. Their Field Rescue teams deploy worldwide to the most remote regions, regularly saving lives. For more information, please call (800) 381-9754 within the U.S., +1 (617) 459-4200 outside the U.S., or visit their website at https://www.globalrescue.com/speycreek/.
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact Spey Creek Trophy Hunting.
