Alerts and trail status

Closure from DOC on 14 March, 2023:

We have received a report today that two people were confronted by two dogs near Twilight beach yesterday.  They phoned the council and reported the incident.  We have closed the track between Te Werahi Beach and Te Paki Stream and hunters are in the area looking for the dogs today.  

If any of your walkers have reported sightings or interactions with dogs in this area please let us know.

DOC Kaitaia Office

25 Matthews Ave | PO Box 569 | Kaitaia 0441

T: +64 9 408 6014

UPDATE 24th MARCH from DOC Bay of Islands:

   
"The Omahuta - Puketi Forest tracks have now been reopened with slips and tree largely cleared. There is an area that was unfixable, and the track has a small re-route around, but it has been well marked for walkers. It is a re-route that safely goes around the large slip section with a tree overhang that was previusly mentioned. The alternate bypass route to the north along Kauri Pa Road and Omahuta Ridge is no longer required"

Details

The previous track across the Landcorp farm between km 200 and km 203 has been permanently closed.  This section of the farm is now used for raising bulls and is dangerous to enter. Follow the road bypass along Waiare Road, Puketotara Road and Mangakaretu Road as described below

The farm track has been removed from current Te Araroa maps but may still be shown in apps or previously downloaded maps.  Signage indicates that the track is closed. Signs place by landowners, or by Te Araroa Trust, take precedence over any other map or guide, as these may be out of date.

Alternative

The gate at km 200.3 was marked on the original 2022-23 v41 maps as giving access to the farm track, but this track is permanently closed and the gate is now locked. The track has been removed from v41  Map 13 v2. The route now follows a road bypass south, then east and then north to get around the closed section

Older maps from 2021-22 v40, which may be used on apps that have not yet been updated, show the road bypass as being the normal route.

This forest has active logging operations. Be extremely careful of logging trucks and harvesting activities. 

In partnership with Ngāti Hapū ki Waitangi:

• Wear a high vis vest/jacket at all times through the forest, for personal safety and to increase walker visibility for logging truck drivers.
• Stay on the track and do not deviate from the track, for your own safety.
• Trees may be felled within two tree lengths of the track.
• Heed all signs and do not enter areas marked as closed.
• Be aware of tree felling.

Details

The route using Morepork and Onekainga tracks is no longer available for Te Araroa. These tracks previously connected Kaiikanui road and Whananaki North Road, but a section of the connecting route using private land has been closed to walkers.

Alternative

Bypass directions: At the South End of Helena Ridge track at km 307, turn right into Kaiikanui Road, and travel South 9 km to the junction with Pigs Head rd, turn left 0.5 km to Whananaki North Road. Turn left again and proceed 10.5  km along Whananaki North Rd until you meet the trail at km 319.2. 

The closure dates on the 2021 map below were optimistic. The Morepork Track has now been re-opened for walkers making day trips into the forest and back, but there is no track connection through to Whananaki for Te Araroa.  The road bypass shaded purple below is the only permissible route

DOC have listed Langsview Track (km 427 to km 433.5) as closed.  They have reported big windfalls, slips and washout on the 1 km track (km 432.5 to km 433.5) that connects to the carpark on Cove Road, forming the end of Langsview Track for southbound, or the start for northbound. DOC have removed a large windfall from near to Cove Road.

Personal inspection on March 23rd found eight smaller windfalls.  These have now been cleared.  There are a number of minor slips, and a washout below the track, but these should present no obstacle to Te Araroa walkers. Despite signage currently in place at both ends of this section the track is quite passable, and much safer than using the long road bypass through Langs Beach that would otherwise be required.

DOC are also working on clearing windfalls between the end of Cullen Road (km 427) and the junction with Tanekaha Track (km 430).  The track is reported as passable with care.

Mangawhai Cliffs walkway is currently closed by DOC as a loop track due to storm damage to structures at the North end that is not used by Te Araroa.  DOC have now confirmed that the portion used by Te Araroa is undamaged, however as with any track in storm damaged areas, walkers should proceed with caution and be prepared to turn around if conditions are unsafe.  

The steep track and steps connecting the northern end of the Mangawhai Cliffs walkway to the rocky coastline is closed.  It is currently not possible to walk along the coastline north of km 439 and then rejoin Te Araroa at km 438.7

Time your walk to avoid high tides as there has been significant collapse of the dunes leaving you with nowhere to walk.  In places the waves may come right up to a two or three metre sand cliff

The swingbridge opposite the end of Remiger Road, km 519, has been severely damaged and is not usable.  Detour via Puhoi Road between Puhoi Village and Remiger Road  This alert applies until further notice.  The end date is unknown at this stage

Please do not attempt to walk this track or climb across the broken bridge.  Loggers are working with heavy machinery on a section of forest very near to the closed track.  They have limited visibility and the risk of injury or death for anyone attempting to get past is very real.  They report walkers and runners are putting their lives at risk, despite clear signage

Update 2nd February:  Track inspection has found that the Puhoi track is also blocked by a big slip across the track at 1.7 km east of the swing bridge (km 520.7)

Images may not be visible in some apps

There have been big slips at the beach end one the acth out of Stillwater southbound where the walk indicates people to turn right at the beach entry and along the cliff face inside the lagoon.  This area is currently very hazardous as there have been several bad slips and there are several trees precariously hanging off the cliff about to fall, as well as unstable rocks. It is safer to use the beach than to attempt the path between the lagoon and the cliff 

The 2022 Te Araroa route south from Drury is not the same as the 2021 route.  The correct 2022 maps were published on October 5th 2022

The trail from km 651 to 656 follows a new route for 2022 to get around a very large construction site.  Do not try to get through this work site based on 2021 maps.  If you walk down Fitzgerald Road you will have to backtrack 3.5 km.

The construction company have worked with us to make this safe, but they are reporting walkers attempting to enter the site at great personal risk.  Please respect local signage 

Map 37 of Te Araroa 2022-23 v41 contains a small but important error that has passed unnoticed for at least a decade.  The track south from km 727, or north from km 729, follows a stop bank.  The map implies a sharp turn to the west to join the road at around km 727.7.  This is not correct.

Stay on the stop bank and keep walking parallel to the pipeline in the grass to the east, crossing several stiles, until rejoining the road verge.  Walkers attempting to follow the little hook shown on the map have been walking through a path next to a house and crossing the resident's front lawn, or making their way through Te Ohaaki Marae.  The locals are friendly, but would like us to stay on the agreed path along the stop bank 

EcoFX intends to aerially sow 1080 (Sodium fluoroacetate) toxic bait over portions of Te Araroa that fall within the treatment area.

The operation is expected to go ahead between 13 March 2023 and 28 June 2023. The operation is weather dependent, so this start date is indicative.

Warning signage will be erected at all entry points to the affected parts of the trail. The trail will also be cleared of toxic bait as soon as possible but within 24 hours after the aerial application and will also be cleared a second time either:

1. immediately after the occurrence of strong winds; or
2. immediately before the weekend or commencement of public holidays, whichever occurs first.

Warning signage and danger tape/netting will be erected at entry points of the trail on the evening before the operation to warn the public of the dangers the danger tape will be removed after the track has received its first clearance.

For a detailed map of the treatment area, please see the DOC Pesticide Summary

Map 44 of the 2022-23 v41 maps released in October 2022 contained an error. This was corrected in Map 44 v2 and updated on the web site and download files on 23rd December.  The Trail App and FarOut have not yet been updated to show the corrected version.

The older version directed walkers along Gasby Road from km 879.  This is now the correct version. Flooding at the end of January has forced the route back onto Gadsby Road.  The change made on 23rd December to use Brook Park has now been withdrawn until further notice. 

The revised wording, now available on the website and in the Te Araroa Notes and Maps app, is below:

 At km 879.25 turn left onto Gadsby Road.  This is a change to the Pehitawa Track from February 2nd 2023 caused by flood damage in Brook park.  There may still be signage and maps indicating the previous route which went south and the east through Brook Park Reserve

From Gadsby Road turn south on Te Kumi Road towards the centre of Te Kuiti township.  Cross the railway lines to Rora St at km 882

The Mangaokewa River Trail has multiple large slips where the track has been completely taken away into the river, leaving no safe way around.  There are several significant windfalls as well that are difficult to navigate.  A full assessment has yet to be done, but from what information is available to us, this track is currently not safe to walk and is not recommended.

No suitably safe alternate route is available at this time.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing Red Crater forecast for today.

Link for web browsers and iOS Notes and Maps app only.  

Internet connection required

Details

Walkers are advised that if planning to resupply in Otaki the road out to resupply from Otaki Forks (near Parawai Lodge/Hut and km marker 1597) to Shields Flat is closed to vehicles. This is due to slip damage.

If you wish to walk out to resupply in Otaki there is a DOC emergency access track through the forest to the west of Otaki Gorge Road. The track starts along the road north of Otaki Forks and comes out at Shields Flat carpark. This track is marked on the topomap and from Otaki Forks to Shields Flat is approx. 5km one way, expected to take 2-3 hours. Please note this is a challenging walk. More information available on DOC website here - the bypass track is marked on below map.

From Shields Flat it is 11km to SH1 and a further 2km to Otaki township. 

Please note that the previous alternative option with a walkway over the slip on Otaki Gorge Road is closed due to further slip movement. Please refer to the Kapiti Coast District Council website for the latest information on access via Otaki Gorge Road 

Alternative

Remain on the trail and be prepared to carry enough supplies and food for the walk between Levin to Waikanae - or vice versa.

Details

Walkers are advised that if planning to resupply in Otaki the road out to resupply from Otaki Forks (near Parawai Lodge/Hut and km marker 1597) to Shields Flat is closed to vehicles. This is due to slip damage.

If you wish to walk out to resupply in Otaki there is a DOC emergency access track through the forest to the west of Otaki Gorge Road. The track starts along the road north of Otaki Forks and comes out at Shields Flat carpark. This track is marked on the topomap and from Otaki Forks to Shields Flat is approx. 5km one way, expected to take 2-3 hours. Please note this is a challenging walk. More information available on DOC website here - the bypass track is marked on below map.

From Shields Flat it is 11km to SH1 and a further 2km to Otaki township. 

Please note that the previous alternative option with a walkway over the slip on Otaki Gorge Road is closed due to further slip movement. Please refer to the Kapiti Coast District Council website for the latest information on access via Otaki Gorge Road 

Alternative

Remain on the trail and be prepared to carry enough supplies and food for the walk between Levin to Waikanae - or vice versa.

Updated information 27 February 2023 from DOC:  

Cullen Point Coastal Track – Narrow exposed sections – Repair work  

The track is now open, however visitors must be aware it is under repair and there are a number of narrow, exposed sections with steep drop-offs below them due to large slips in the area. Children must be supervised at all times, and visitors should allow additional time to negotiate the sections crossing the slips. The track is not recommended for use in, or soon after, wet weather.

Notice from DOC about track conditions between Middy Hut and Roebuck Hut.  Note that despite the track labelling on NZ Topo50 maps Te Araroa does not currently go through Roebuck Hut.  This warning in posted for information in case walkers choose to go via Roebuck Hut instead of Rocks Hut

Pelorus Track/Te Araroa Trail - Storm damage
Visitors are advised there is storm damage on the Pelorus Track/Te Araroa Trail between Captain Creek Hut and Roebuck Hut.
There are some windfalls with one large tree across the track between Roebuck Hut and Middy Hut.
There is a stream washout between Totara Saddle and Roebuck Hut. This is still active and requires caution to cross.
Allow extra time to negotiate these hazards.

We would appreciate receiving information about the condition of the track. Any reports of damage on this section of the track can be sent to the DOC Picton Office, picton@doc.govt.nz.

DOC have advised that they will be carrying out aerial spraying of wilding conifers between Mt Ellis (km 1923) and Ben Nevis (northeast from Mt Ellis)

Important notice to visitors

Mt Richmond Forest Park - Ben Nevis to Mt Ellis - Aerial spraying of wilding conifers

There will be a helicopter spraying herbicide onto individual wilding conifers along the alpine tops near the Ben Nevis Track, and between Ben Nevis and Mt Ellis, during the period 17 January to 30 April 2023.

The herbicide ingredients are triclopyr and biodiesel. The target wilding conifer species are individual plants of Contorta pine, Scots pine and Douglas fir.

The work is set-back from tracks and so it is still safe to use marked tracks and routes while a helicopter is working.

Mark Townsend, Operations Manager, Motueka Office

DOC have advised that they will be carrying out aerial spraying of wilding conifers near Porters Creek Hut (km 1936) 

Mt Richmond Forest Park - Porters Creek Hut

- Aerial spraying of wilding conifers

There will be a helicopter spraying herbicide onto individual wilding conifers growing on the hills around Porters Creek Hut, during the period 17 January to 30 April 2023.

The herbicide ingredients are triclopyr and biodiesel. The target wilding conifer species are individual plants of Contorta pine, Scots pine and Douglas fir.

The work is set-back from tracks and so it is still safe to use marked tracks and routes while a helicopter is working.

Mark Townsend, Operations Manager, Motueka Office

Help stop the spread of lindavia (lake snow)

Do not swim, wash, take water or put any equipment into these lakes. These lakes hold high cultural significance to Māori, particularly local iwi Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō. They are tapu (sacred) and the restrictions have been placed to uphold their mauri (life force) and purity.

The invasive alga lindavia is present in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. It causes lake snow – a sticky mucus that hangs below the surface of the water. Not touching the water in these lakes will also prevent the spread of lindavia.

Details

Te Araroa route through Island Bush Block is closed to walkers due to forestry operations from Monday 9^th January 2023. This closure applies until further notice. Rerouting for southbounders is via road verge from the start of Hewitt Road heading south on Upper Scotts Gap Road, Symon Road, right onto Lower Scotts Gap Road, then right again onto Otautau-Tuatapere road to Merrivale. Northbounders are the reverse of this from the stile on Otautau-Tuatapere road.

Re-opening date has not been determined.  Always check the local signage, which may override any information found on websites or apps

Alternative

Map image may not be visible in some apps