Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne does not regard heli-hunting in the conservation estate as a major part of controlling introduced animals.
Asked why Mr Dunne was planning to introduce legislation ending heli-hunting of tahr and chamois - which are regarded as pests - a spokesman for Mr Dunne said the Department of Conservation was ''moving away'' from a policy of eradication towards management and control.
''Heli-hunting is not really a major part of that side of things.''
According to a High Court decision released by Justice Stephen Kos this month, there were 13 ''active'' aerially-assisted trophy hunting operations in the country in 2011. During that season 212 flights took place, involving 255 guided clients.
Some 376 trophies were taken - 228 tahr and 148 chamois. Crown revenue of $198,787 was generated from activity fees.
The lawyer representing heli-hunting interests, Colin Withnall, QC, said a report they commissioned showed $10 million of direct benefits to the country as well as savings to Doc through heli-hunting operators culling non-trophy animals.
''They cull five nannies or juveniles for every tahr they take, so that saves that expense for Doc.''
