From Kaiikanui Rd, enter DoC’s Kaiikanui Forest and follow a well-benched track for about 4 kms, past Hansens Hill (where the bench turns sharply NE).

Be aware that around this 4km mark, the track moves off into the bush to the right off the bench. At this junction, there are few large trees for markers so it can be missed.  The route follows markers through trees to meet up with the Forest’s NE boundary fence.  It follows the fenceline much of the way down into a gully before a steep climb up to a cleared and grassy high point (218m) with spectacular views out to the coast and the Poor Knight Islands. You are now on private land belonging to local farmer Don Waetford and his whanau, so please respect the privilege.

(DoC’s estate falls away to the south and if needed, there is a rough track taking the SE spur down to a farm track which meets up with the end of Halvorson Rd). 

Continue on old bush tracks in a SE direction down ridgelines to some pretty little streams before climbing steeply all the way up again (174m down then up). At the top, you climb stiles onto well-formed farm tracks. After 500m, turn off the farm track and cross 200m through a small pine plantation (no markers allowed on pines) to a boundary fence just west of the Onekainga Trig (227m) and more views. Stay on the track and follow the fenceline past the pine and then down the ridgeline in native bush for 1.5 km. By now you have left the Waetford block, and are in the Harman’s farm and just as you leave the bush, have lovely views over the inner Whananaki estuary.
For the last 800m, you are following the SW fenceline across pasture. There may be magnificent Charolais bulls grazing. If so, walk slowly and quietly by the fence, waiting for them to move if need be.
At the southern end of the paddock, over the stile, you emerge onto Whananaki North Rd.

The Morepork track is well used by DoC for predator control, consequently there are a number of different colored markers for traps and bait stations. Stay clear of those and follow the orange markers. The last kilometre, before the Morepork track joins onto the Onekainga track, requires a little more focus, as you will have left the well benched track and are now following a smaller, less obvious track where some sections get worked over by wild pigs.