“High Peak”… Living up to the very name, my time at High Peak was beyond any expectation I could have ever imagined. From the welcoming faces and open home of the owners, the services provided during my stay, to the INCREDIBLE beauty of the land, all topped off with the hunting experience of a lifetime.
An Estate without equal.
We’ll get straight to the point – not all hunting estates are created equal. The game estate at High Peak is the standard by which others are judged, being the first to be independently accredited under the New Zealand Association of Game Estates’ Industry Agreed Standards.
Don’t just take our word for it though – try following quote from New Zealand hunting legend and NZAGE assessor Ron Spanton in the book Hunting with the Best by Kingsley Field:
“The station is owned by the Guild family, and the game estate has to be the premier hunting of it’s type in the country – it’s nearly 5000 acres (8 square miles / 20 square kilometres), a mix of scrub-covered hills with patches of black beech forest. And it’s got good fallow, chamois, wild pigs, goats, Arapawa sheep, wapiti and red deer. It is the most natural game estate I’ve ever hunted…the country at High Peak Station would approach normal free-range hunting as closely as I’ve ever experienced.”
A genuine fair chase experience.
Our animals are free to range within our 4,500 acre hunting estate. They’re not confined to a small area as is the case in some “safari parks” around the world. This means that you get the genuine experience of a fair chase, where the animal has the opportunity to evade the hunter. And the hunter needs to employ his or her utmost skill and ability to stalk the animal.
Hunt within minutes of leaving the lodge.
We specialise in hosting small numbers of hunting guests at any one time, so you and your friends can enjoy hunting in our private valley without a parade of other hunters in the vicinity. Whatever your skill level, fitness or preference, we are here to help you enjoy an experience of a lifetime. And we will suitably personalise your hunting trip to make this happen.
Bigger is better
A small, dedicated team – at the heart of which is the Guild family. Supported by 4 superb hunting guides, an enigmatic artist / photographer, and Hilary, your group’s personal chef. Whether you’re a Navy SEAL or an absolute beginner, we’re going to get the best out of you. Be that bagging your dream trophy, or simply having one heck of a wild, backcountry experience.
Two exceptional properties for the dedicated foot hunter.
Our prices represent excellent value to the discerning hunter to whom trophy choice, hunting experience and quality hospitality are important considerations. We offer a selection of High Peak Special Packages designed to allow hunters to get the best possible New Zealand red stag hunting experience. Each of these packages are fully customisable and we offer special rates for extra days, trophy species, non-hunting activities and exclusive group bookings upon request.
The hunting experience
of a lifetime.
You may only make this trip once in your life – so make sure you do it justice.
The hunting experience
of a lifetime.
You may only make this trip once in your life – so make sure you do it justice.
Availability
FAQ
Reviews
Availability
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Frequently asked questions
When is the hunting season?
The hunting season at High Peak runs from the beginning of March through to the end of June each year.
What can my partner or family do at High Peak if they do not hunt?
At High Peak we understand that while one family member may be passionate about hunting, their family members or friends may prefer other activities. We welcome couples and families and will make sure that non-hunters have an equally memorable stay by giving them the opportunity to experience our beautiful region the way they would like to.
Activities available nearby include golf, horse-riding, archery and clay pigeon shooting, spa treatments and nature walks.
Within 30 minutes of High Peak Lodge, there are opportunities for fly-fishing, jet-boating, 4WD adventures and scenic drives.
We can also offer a vast variety of guided day trips from High Peak Lodge so you could choose to:
Go sky-diving
Swim with dolphins
Go skiing or heli-skiing (available July-October)
Visit Christchurch city
Do a winery tour
Take a scenic mountain flight or a journey on the Trans-alpine railway
Go whitewater rafting
Go whale watching or deep sea fishing
Do I need to bring my own firearms to hunt at High Peak?
As part of our hunting experience, we provide a selection of suitable firearms for our guests to use. However, you are welcome to bring your own firearms should you prefer to do so.
What health and safety measures does High Peak have in place?
At High Peak we take health and safety very seriously. All of our guides have trained at the Professional Hunter Academy and this includes completing training in health and safety. We have an audited health and safety plan and will carry out safety briefings at the beginning of every hunt.
What will happen to my trophy?
Your hunting guide will take care of all necessary aspects of trophy preparation and arrange for your trophy’s delivery to a taxidermist of your choice. High Peak has a close working relationship with New Zealand’s leading taxidermy company, Big Game Taxidermy and we recommend that our guests consider using this company for mounting and expediting services. Big Game Taxidermy specialises in mounting New Zealand’s game animals and this knowledge of the local species’ anatomy by their professional staff means that the resulting trophies are first-class. Another advantage of using Big Game Taxidermy is the company’s location at Christchurch International Airport, which makes it convenient to visit their showroom to discuss the presentation of your trophy. Of course you are welcome to make your own taxidermy arrangements if you prefer to do so.
What our customers say
Never in a hundred years would I have imagined myself dressed in cammo clothes crawling on my hands and knees up a hill through animal sign to watch my husband shoot a magnificent red stag. My time at High Peak was one of the top memories of my life. Nothing matches taking a bath in a wood heated tub beside a rushing creek on the first day of winter in New Zealand.
Read More I have been on numerous trips to New Zealand; none have been as personalized as my visit to High Peak on the South Island in the Canterbury High Country. The High Peak lodge is truly a family affair with Mom and Dad overseeing everything, Simon and his lovely wife Kate as the host, Hamish and his wife Gemma as our hunting guide and sister Amelia and her fiancee Tom as our chefs. Upon our arrival, we became the newest member of their Guild family. We experienced the love that this family has for each other which in turn overflowed to my husband, Kevin, and me.
At High Peak, our every need was catered to carefully and in a timely manner. We experienced the “lost luggage” scenario from the airlines as our luggage went to China! Immediately the family pulled together and Kevin and I had exceptional clothing, hiking boots that fit, and high quality equipment. They are always prepared for the unexpected which is travel in this century.
Few places in the world offer such a private and personal experience. The large 4500 acre property was reserved exclusively for Kevin and me which is the norm with most of their packages. The gorgeous property is mountainous with fantastic vistas. While they cater to any physical level, it is a great idea to be in good condition.
Our guide happened to be one of the brothers, Hamish. He was an excellent guide and he gave us unique insight into managing both the hunting operation as well as their other adjoining 5,500 acres of sheep ranching. On our trip, Kevin had a great stalk on an Arapawa Ram and I had the pleasure to hunt a red stag that was so old that it had no teeth left. It would not have survived the winter. It was very unique with an extremely long drop tine that had a kicker off it and a gorgeous animal.
After our successful hunts, we were treated to tours of the country side, a private jet boat ride and wonderful shopping in a quaint fishing town where we both purchased possum sweaters.
I cannot recommend High Peak enough. If you are truly looking for a unique adventure in New Zealand with fabulous hunting and/or fishing where you will have your every need cared for and enjoy a taste of the local area, this is the place.
Corinna & Kevin Slaughter
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
“High Peak” is an impressive and exceptionally well-run estate. The Guild family take particular care in ensuring each hunter has an unforgettable experience, in a breathtaking setting that is one to remember for life. The quality of the hunting and guiding is exceptional. Hunting Chamois and Tahr is particularly exciting and unforgettable.
I look forward to returning to High Peak with my family.
Sid Rana
Kathmandu, Nepal and London, UK
High Peak: the name stands for the highest peak quality hunt anyone could ever experience. I couldn’t have imagined how extremely perfect that this trip of a lifetime for my hunting family would be. The abundance and quality of game animals, first class accommodations, scenery, guide staff, photographer, chef, cuisine, and of course Guild family’s utmost attention to our safety and enjoyment, was all beyond belief. Truly, no place on earth can compare to the High Peak adventure that we were fortunate enough to experience.
Greg Turjan & Family.
Greg Turjan
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA
Dear Simon,
We just can’t stop talking about our trip and how fabulous your staff, your family and High Peak are! Thank you ever so much. The rest of our trip was equally great and the Barnett’s had to buy Ron many whiskeys because of his High Peak success.
Our very best,
Ron & Jill Doering
Percy, Illinois, USA
New Zealand has always been on our bucket list; for me to hunt red stag and for the two of us to experience your beautiful country. From the time we met you and Kate in Akaroa in 2013, we knew that High Peak would be the place where we would fulfill our dream and pursue an outstanding Kiwi experience.
We can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed our stay at High Peak. Heather was delighted to meet Craig and photograph the stunning countryside, and she loved touring with Kate and seeing Duchess Kate in Christchurch! My time with Stu and Craig in the field, making numerous stalks on red stag through mud, rain and matagouri, was the most unique hunting experience of my life! Plus, the stag will look awesome on our fireplace at our cabin in Alpine!
We really appreciated your warm hospitality – you made us feel like friends, not clients. We thoroughly enjoyed Hillary’s wonderful meals, the camaraderie around the dinner table in the evenings at the lodge, the opportunity to meet and spend time with your family, and the commitment, expertise and personal attention you, Stu, and Craig provided in the field.
In summary, we can only say that High Peak Station is First Class. Thank you again for helping us fulfill our bucket list with such an unforgettable experience.
Mike Liddicoat
Tuscon, Arizona, USA
The quality of game and terrain that High Peak offers I do not believe can be matched by any other outfitter in New Zealand. After talking to many other hunters in Montana, that have also experienced New Zealand, they regret not booking with High Peak on their first trip.
The hospitality of the High Peak crew was unmatched by any other experience I have been on. If you ever feel bored with this crew it would be your own fault. They always had something up their sleeves; from hunting (of course), scouting, helicopter adventures, jet boating, fishing, varmint control, sightseeing, photo opps, and of course mushroom hunting and rock picking for the non-hunter in the group.
At first I did not understand how important our own personal photographer would be to the trip but Craig added a whole new angle for enjoying your trophy after a successful hunt. He was also very knowledgeable and great entertainment during our visit to High Peak.
Coming from Montana and have always been on free range hunting trips in Montana, Alaska and Canada, I did not realize how challenging an early Fallow deer hunt could be. They have great eye sight and a great sense of smell. It made me feel like I was hunting a cross between a wary pronghorn and an old cunning whitetail buck. Trust your guide! James was great and very knowledgeable. He gave me great hunting advice, which when it came to taking each trophy animal I was confident it was the true trophy for me.
High Peak Station is full of breathtaking scenic views. Everywhere I looked made me think it could be another picture off a calendar for how beautiful and majestic it is in New Zealand. Getting to experience a hunt in New Zealand on a true working ranch was great. It was amazing to see the true roots of New Zealand’s agriculture. The quality of the livestock and working dogs was a sight to see for hunters and non-hunters alike.
Adam Kern
Billings, Montana, USA
Our family was planning our ‘trip of a lifetime’ to New Zealand and Australia. As part of that trip I managed to talk my wife into spending a few days at High Peak Station. It turned out much better than either of us ever expected.
The terrain was incredibly beautiful and rugged. The animals were magnificent. The accommodations were excellent. Simon, his family, and everyone else involved were warm, welcoming, and thoroughly professional. I experienced a great (and successful!) hunt, while the non-hunters in our family were treated to a series of personalized adventures. We all came away thrilled with our visit, and hope to go back someday. The entire experience far exceeded our expectations.
High marks to High Peak.
Tim Goles
San Antonio, Texas, USA
‘High Peak’ – An understated impression of an experience we couldn’t imagine! Travel where you may, hunt the ranges and species you will, we then have the High Peak experience to redefine the “everything” destination. Most of us have experienced good hunts and pleasant family vacations. Thanks to the resources and talents of the Guild family, we were able to meld everybody’s “trip of a lifetime” together into one package.
With the stunning backdrop of New Zealand’s Canterbury Highlands and the Southern Alps as a base, the range of activities you offered us and the level of luxury accommodations, gourmet food and drink and individualized personal service puts High Peak atop our ‘want to go back to’ destination list.
Dick Tompkins
Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada
Simon,
Crystal and I had the best hunting trip of our lives. The hospitality ya’ll provided was 10-star and High Peak was like walking into a hallmark card – I have never seen any place as beautiful as it.
With that, I shall return for a Tahr and Chamois hunt, and hopefully I can have the same crew (Lindsay and ol’ Smitty) to join me on the next endeavor.
Thanks for the memories.
Turk Webb
Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Dear Simon,
Our experience at High Peak exceeded our expectations. You are in a select few who under promise and over deliver. I took my three boys for the most memorable trip we have ever taken, and we are still talking about it one year later. The personalized attention is more than what we expected, it is obvious that, you, Hamish, and Lindsay love the work you do. We actually received far more than expected, and I was touched by the hospitality shown to our entire family. When we walked away, we felt we had not only had a phenomenal hunting experience, but more importantly, we were able to enjoy a real family and real culture in New Zealand. It was a pleasure to have dinner at High Peak Station, and I would recommend it for everyone. The grounds, the setting, and the evening was next to perfect.
The memories we have will not be forgotten and we would highly recommend High Peak to anyone who is considering a true NZ experience.
Scott Woolfolk
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Simon,
I just got back from Alaska and was thinking about my time with you guys, and I put some thoughts on paper when I was there. I am having trouble explaining just how great an operation you and your family run.
My family has not stopped talking about our time with High Peak, just how great the hunting was and the amount of game we saw is hard to explain. I am from northern British Columbia and want to hunt for the game in a fair chase environment and was concerned that the hunting would not give me the satisfaction of working and hunting for the trophies I was looking for. Lindsay, the guide I hunted with, was as much a hunter as I have ever met and understood what I was looking for. I have stayed in contact with Lindsay and we are planning to have him over to Canada to hunt with us.
The after-hunting experience that the Guild family provided was first class and when we left, our family felt as though we were leaving relatives to be seen again.
Rod Belsham
Prince George, British Colombia, Canada
To Simon, Hamish, Guides Lindsay and Stuart and to the Staff at High Peak Station, I would like to thank you all for the most exciting, wonderful and most professional hunting experience of my life.
Nine days of excitement and beautiful views. Not one minute of down time, from being picked up, sighting in the rifles, day hunting Red Stag, Fallow Deer, South Pacific Goat, wild boar and night hunting hares on the station, flying up into the rugged white snow capped peaks that surround the station, by helicopter, for Himalayan Bull Tahr and even a small plane ride down south for a majestic New Zealand Wapiti and finally being returned to the airport in Christchurch.
These guys showed us what professional really means.
Thank you again, High Peak.
Steve Keinath
Parachute, Colorado, USA
To the whole Guild family. We already miss our new friends. Thanks for the incredible hospitality.
Hunting red stag in New Zealand has been a personal goal for several years. I had two main criteria in selecting an outfitter: 1. my wife, who was not a hunter, had to accompany me and have an enjoyable experience. 2. I wanted to have a very strong probability of harvesting a nice red stag. We decided that High Peak Station could meet these goals.
WOW! My expectations were high, but we were amazed at every aspect of our adventure from the second we landed at the airport in Christchurch and were greeted by James and Anna Guild. Accommodations were great, hunting game was everywhere on the mountains, and our hosts exhibited incredible hospitality. We felt like we found a new family away from home.
Of course, a great hunt was most important and that part was amazing. Thanks Hamish!
Food, drink, extraordinary sightseeing and accommodations were more than we could have imagined. In Louisiana we use the term “lagniappe” which means getting an extra gift that we didn’t anticipate or purchase. I didn’t know New Zealanders were so good at this. They call it Kiwi hospitality. Thanks Simon!
I have been blessed to hunt and vacation in several areas of the country. Nothing in my lifetime comes close to this experience in New Zealand at High Peak Station.
Al & Peggy Huguet
Opelousas, Louisiana, USA
Simon Guild
Hunting Manager
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