Get the latest information on DOC facilities in the East Coast and Te Urewera Area. On this page:
For your safety, every effort has been made to ensure this information is correct. Please be warned that weather conditions can have a serious impact on tracks and roads. Always check with the DOC office nearest to your point of departure before starting up a track.
To report any safety hazards in the outdoors please call DOCHOTLINE (0800 632 468)
Gisborne Whakatane Area tracks, walks and campsites
Updated 23 April 2013
Tawa, Koranga and Nikau Tracks
All these tracks have slips on them and extreme caution is required. Members of the public are advised not to go anywhere near these slips. In some cases you may be able to walk below the slip or above the slip.
Please contact the Gisborne Whakatane Area Office for updates +64 6 869 0460.
Te Waiti Hut to Stag Flat
There are three slips on this track. One large slip makes the track impassable but diversions can be taken by dropping down into the river.
Te Urewera National Park
Updated 29 April 2013
Wasps
Large numbers of wasps have been found recently. Please be adequately prepared, especially if you or anyone in your party have a known allergy to wasp stings. So that we can destroy nests as they are discovered, please let us know the exact location of any wasps or wasp nests you see.
Water shortage
Because of the drought conditions throughout the area, there may not be any water in the hut and campsite water tanks. If you are planning to stay any length of time, please ensure you carry enough water to last the duration of your trip. This particularly applies to back country huts but the Great Walk huts may be affected too (check with the Te Urewera National Park Visitor Centre regarding the Great Walk huts).
Lake Waikaremoana: Site closures for lagarosiphon eradication
Lagarosiphon weed has been found in several places on Lake Waikaremoana. Divers are currently working at eradicating the infestations. Please do not enter these restricted areas .For the latest maps call into the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre or see the signs at all the Lake Waikaremoana boat ramps.
View larger Lake Waikaremoana lagarosiphon infestation map (JPG, 1480K)
Lagarosiphon can be spread by a piece as small as 2 cm long, so please, check your boat/kayak/canoe and fishing gear before bringing it to Waikaremoana. The most likely places for concealed weeds are on anchor chains, warps and wells, bilges (and any other cavity that holds moisture).
If you do see lagarosiphon weed, we would really love to know about it. Please do not pull it out, but please contact us at the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre.
Northern Te Urewera
Makomako Hut closed for painting
Makomako Hut will be closed for painting from Tuesday 30 April to Friday 3 May 2013. We apologise for any inconvenience but trust you will enjoy the freshly painted hut!
Six Foot Track via Te Motiwha saddle – Makomako
There is a large slip on this section of the six foot track, so please be very cautious . If necessary there is an alternative route via the Paiwairoto track from Te Panaa Hut to Taurawharona. From Taurawharona hut carry on till you get to the Paetawa Track Junction – turn left onto the Paetawa Track which will lead you back on to the Six foot track.
Waikirikiri - Ohora (Whakatane River Track)
This section of the track has recently had work completed on it by local contractors. The track is well marked and maintained up to Ohora Hut. Watch out for the small rock wall up to 1 metre high, which can be tricky in wet weather conditions. Please be very cautious when crossing and make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear.
If you are using the Whakatane River Track via Waikirikiri through to Hanamihi, you will at times be crossing private land owned by local iwi. Please be considerate when passing through and stay to the markers. The landowners have given permission for members of the public to access through their land but would like people to stick to the markers. Thank you for your understanding.
Whakatane River Valley – Tawhiwhi Hut
Tawhiwhi Hut water tank has had some remedial work done, therefore the tank will be empty until the next decent rain fall – please be conservative of water use. The water in the river is fine to drink but please boil it prior to drinking as a precaution. Further work to this hut is scheduled for the near future.
Southern Te Urewera
Whanganui Hut closed for painting 6 to 17 May 2013
The Whanganui Hut, a Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk hut will be closed for painting from Monday 6 May to Friday 17 May. We apologise for any inconvenience, but trust you will enjoy the freshly painted hut!
Waiau River
The Overland track from Whites Clearing to the old Parahaki site is overgrown. Times posted on signs are more than doubled so please take this on board when preparing to tramp this track. The river track is open and accessible.
Tracks which sustained substantial snow damage in August 2006
- Link track from Waiau Valley to Lake Waikaremoana
- Track between the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk and Whakatakaa Hut
- Track between State Highway 38 and Whakatakaa Hut
These tracks should only be attempted by experienced trampers. Although the snow on tracks and walkways has long-since melted the effect on vegetation can still pose dangers to visitors. Tramping times are much longer than usual.
Whirinaki Forest Park
Pine Milling Road and South Road
There will be tree felling along Pine milling road and sections of South road till further notice. All vehicles travelling to Plateau road end or Puketiunui road ends need to take extreme care as logging trucks will be using sections of these roads.
Pukahunui Road end, Plateau Road end, Matakuhia Saddle Access and Opureke Access
2wd vehicles can access these roads via Waipunga or Boundary roads however due to ongoing logging operations in the area some signs may not be clearly visible from the road. It is suggested that you use topographical maps.
There is limited cell phone coverage from Matakahia Saddle and Plateau Road end only (Telecom network)
Upper Te Hoe Hut to Central Te Hoe Hut via River Route
After several extreme rain events in early 2011 the route through the Te Hoe River gorge is now unsafe and impassable. This route through the gorge section known as "The Cut" will not be re-established. Please use the ridge track.
Central Whirinaki Hut to Upper Whirinaki Hut via Caves Route:
This track is not maintained and is a marked route. You need a high level of experience for this track. The route via the river will not be re-established. Please use the Taumutu Stream track.
Mangamako
DOC would like to advise the public that the logging company KTL are currently logging around the Mangamako area until mid-to-late March. Crew members will be working from 7am to 4pm most days. Delays and road closures are likely. To minimise access for thieves the gate will be locked from 4pm to 7am daily and all day when KTL are not working.
River Road end to Mangamate Hut and Mangamate Hut to Upper Whirinaki Hut
This track is also open. The track to Mangamate hut follows and Mangamate stream alignment to the old hut site clearing, from there the track crosses the clearing a climbs by way of a benched track to the hut. The track continues from the hut across the saddle and down a stream and further along to the Taumutu stream and Whirinaki River track. The track is open however there may be instances where track markers are not clearly visible and or windfall. The track is Tramping Track classification and requires people to have a good level of fitness and backcountry awareness.
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