'Numbers have just exploded': Wild deer costing farmers tens of thousands

Home / The CountryAlexa CookRNZ·3 Aug, 2026 09:54 PM5 mins to readA herd of 100 deer can cost farmers more than $10,000 a year. Photo / Alan GibsonA herd of 100 deer can cost farmers more than $10,000 a year. Photo / Alan GibsonBy Alexa Cook of RNZA new study of Hawke’s Bay’s wild deer populations has found the problem is costing farmers tens of thousands of dollars.

The research, by primary sector economist Peter MacIntyre, reveals extensive pasture and crop losses from deer, as well as damage

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