The Government is set to announce a national game council which will give hunters control of wild animals on conservation land.
The Game Animal Council, due to be announced on Wednesday, was part of the United Future MP Peter Dunne's confidence and supply deal with the National-led Government.
Under the plan, deer, the Himalayan tahr or goat, chamois and pigs will lose their pest status.
The council will bring together hunting interests, farmers and the Department of Conservation, which have often been in conflict.
The Deerstalkers Association says it will take hunting in New Zealand into the 21st century by managing many of the wild herds for the first time,
However Forest and Bird says the changes are bad for conservation. Advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell says herds will end up being protected for rich international trophy hunters.
