Alerts and trail status

Details

Due to a change in farm operations we need to communicate a bypass through the Pukatotara Landcorp Farm. Please see below for the details and map 

Alternative

When you get to marker 211 on Mangakaretu Road you need to continue down that road until you come to Puketotara Road, turn left here and walk until you come to State Highway 10 and turn left and walk until you get to marker and you re join the trail from here. The total detour is 7.7km from point 211 until point 218.  See below for the bypass, in yellow.

Details

We have been advised that PFOlsen will begin logging options in the forest near Kerikeri.  A map is below - the logging will take place to the following KM markers - 228 -231

The trail will remain open, but walkers going through that area will need to adhere to the following 


A) Walkers can expect traffic control when trees are being felled within 2 tree lengths of Roads. This means some delays would be expected if walkers are in place at the same time as logging activities.

 

B) There will be a safety issue with traffic in shared road activities (Walkers/logging operations), these ones won’t be with traffic control, both parties must keep an eye on other activities.

 

Alternative

The trail from Paihia to Opua may be closed from time to time due to council maintenance. Recommend that you check first with the Paihia I-SITE before leaving Paihia. Other alternatives are by water or via the ferry to Russell.

Following consultation with local iwi in the Russell Forest it has been decided that we will re route Te Araroa around Russell Forest.  The key reason to do this is to respect the concerns of local iwi around reducing the potential spread of Kauri Die Back by our walkers.  We have developed a new route that will take our walkers to the eastern side of the forest, before connecting back up with the trail at 281km marker. Walkers will continue to have a three of options before getting to the new route. These have been outlined on the attached map, and are as follows

1. Catching a ferry to Russell from Paihia between KM markers 249 and 250, and then walk Thru Russell township and up Florence Ave, beside the refuse centre there is a trail that takes you beside and off the main road, over boardwalks and through coastal mangroves, all the way to GAS Russell Garage (5kms) on the corner of Aucks Road and Russell Whakapara Road, turn right and continue down the Russell Whakapara Road for approximately (22km) to The Farm a friendly camping place or continue for another 4.5km (total of 31.5kms) to re-join the trail at KM marker 281, a further 1.5kms south is Sues Place.
2. Kayak up the inlet with Bay Beach Hire phone 0800 611 440 or 021 1894204. This company is based on the beach at Paihia, and if you're going to kayak up to Waikare, Paihia is a better start point than Opua. It's better to travel in a group or two or three, which will reduce costs. The paddle from Paihia to Waikare takes between 3-4hr depending on weather conditions and fitness levels and should only be done by persons with some experience. Cell phone reception is zero once past Marriott Island, so GPS or good map skills are needed. There is a approximately 18kms of kayaking. Further details at baybeachhire.co.nz  When you get to Sheryl’s place (027 309 3476) you can stay there, or walk up the Waikare road for 6.5kms and turn right onto Russell Wakapara road for approx. 13km to The Farm (total of 19.5kms) ) a friendly camping place or continue for another 4.5km (total of 24kms walking)  to re-join the trail at KM marker 281, a further 1.5kms south is Sues Place.
3. Walk from Paihia to Opua 6kms then take the vehicle ferry over the Veronica Channel to Okiato. From there, follow Aucks Rd for 4km to its GAS Russell Garage on the corner of Aucks Road and Russell Whakapara Road, turn right and continue down the Russell Whakapara road for approximately (22km) to The Farm a friendly camping place or continue for another 4.5km (total of 36.5kms) to re-join the trail at KM marker 281, a further 1.5kms south is Sue's Place.

Alternative

Details

The Morepork and Onekainga tracks will be closed for Kauri Dieback Mitigation works. These tracks connect Kaiikanui road and Whananaki North Road. 

Alternative

Bypass directions: At the South End of Helena Ridge track at km 302.9, 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 315. 

Details

Due to land closure we now have a major re route between Whananaki South and Ngunguru. 

Alternative

Details

Under covid regulations it is not permitted to cross from Northland to Auckland for non-essential purposes.  Unfortunately that includes Te Araroa.  The current boundary is 2 km after crossing the bridge at the southern edge of Mangawhai on Black Swamp Road, km 447 (TA 2020-21 v39 maps) or km 457.5 (TA 2021-22 v40 maps)

At the southern end of Pakiri Beach, Te Araroa crosses a corner of private land between the riverbank and Pakiri River Road, at km 476. The landowners have temporarily withdrawn permission for this convenient shortcut, due to COVID-19 concerns.  If the track is blocked it is necessary to continue further inland along the riverbank, past the holiday park, to get to the road.

The boundary between private land and public access is the MHWS (mean high water springs) line, determined and fixed by survey. Put simply, you can walk anywhere below the high tide line. This is easier to do at lower tide levels. The private land and the DOC picnic area facilities may be closed but the beach is public.

Southbound  Walk up the eastern (true right) bank of the river, past the private land and the Pakiri Beach Holiday Park, staying below the MHWS. Immediately beyond the Holiday park there is a basic vehicle track running inland to reach Pakiri River Road.

Northbound  If you are stopped by an improvised barrier on the corner of Pakiri River Road beyond the Pakiri Beach Holiday Park, or by signage advising that the private property access is closed, return up the road past the Holiday Park and turn right to follow the vehicle track along the boundary of the Holiday Park to the foreshore.  Walk along the riverbank, staying below the MHWS line, until you reach the beach

Details

Under covid regulations it is not permitted to cross from the boundary between the Auckland-Waikato level-3 zones and the Manuwatü-Whanganui region for non-essential purposes.  Unfortunately that includes Te Araroa.  The current southern boundary of the level 3 section appears to be Ongarue Stream Road, km 973 (TA 2021-22 v40 maps, map 49)

In practice northbound hikers coming from Wellington should probably plan to leave Te Araroa at Taumarunui

Whakapapa Holiday Park and all accommodation on the mountain are now open to Vaccine Pass Holders only. If you have not obtained a vaccine pass you will not be able to find accommodation or use any DOC huts or campsites in Tongariro National Park. The Whakapapa Village shop is essential to the village and accepts everyone

Details

The marae at Hiruhārama/Jerusalem has temporarily closed to visitors. This includes the St Joseph's Church and Convent. This is a temporary measure to protect the health of the local population.

Details

Roadworks have begun in preparation for constructing a permanent bypass for the large slip that blocked Gladstone road at km 1553. A temporary bypass road has now been provided, including a gravel road, two bridges and a small ford.  In severe flood conditions the ford and bypass road could become unusable. In this case NOBOs would be unable to cross the first stream so just wait it out. If SOBOs can cross the last stream on the farmland the road will be fine.

Take care when the road works and underway and follow the instructions of the traffic controllers.

There is a slip closing Kahuterawa Rd on the Te Araroa Trail at 1507 km, about a half day walk south of Palmerston North. Hikers have been able to walk across the slip today (Wednesday 8th December) but we have been informed that Geotechs are working with Fulton Hogan to assess the slip and work out safe passage. We will post updates on Facebook as soon as we receive them.  The completion date for trail restoration is not yet known.  

Gladstone Rd is cut at the first of two temporary crossings, at about 1552 km mark. With high river levels there is no safe foot crossing so only alternative is 12 km detour just north of Makahika OPC that follows a logging track through Kohitere Forest to pick up Gladstone Rd on the Western side. Follow that back around to Poads Rd access. Should be fixed by Saturday or Sunday (11th -12th December)

Details

Walkers are advised that they will need to prepare (carry enough food) to walk between Levin to Waikanae (or vice versa) The road out to resupply has been closed as per below. 

Update from the Kapiti Coast District Council

Cracks in the Ōtaki Gorge Road at Blue Bluff (12km inland from SH1) have required the road to be closed at this site.

Slips are likely which means the road is unsafe for both vehicles and people to cross. 

Geotechnical experts have assessed the road and will continue to monitor and investigate further. Their advice is that the section of the road is unsafe for use. There is currently no timeframe for its reopening.

It is not possible to accurately predict when the road will slip again, but ongoing monitoring will track movement of the ground.

We are looking at a considerable amount of material that is unstable. The specialists also advise that undertaking any remedial or construction work around the slip poses a significant safety risk and should not be undertaken.

Alternative

If you are Thru walking please prepare to carry enough supplies and food for the walk between Levin to Wakanae - or vice versa

Details

Foresty work is underway near the Coleridge Village in Canterbury.  Because of the work we need to bypass the forest - please see below for the BLUE line and the new route.  Please be aware of logging trucks in the area and respect the use of the farm track - this is a working farm. 

Alternative