Alerts and trail status
We recommend checking this page regularly before and during your journey as the route may have changed since planning your journey.
These alerts are set out in order from north to south
Details
The Mangakaretu Track across Wrights farm is closed every year from 1st May to 30th September due to Farm Operations and Duck shooting Season. The western end from Waiare road is currently closed due to upgrading of this section.
Alternative
From Puketi Recreation Centre, walk south down Waiare Road for almost 5 Km to the intersection with Puketotara Road. Turn left (East) and follow this road(13km) all the way to State Highway 10. Turn left for 500m and join the trail again at the SH10 overbridge.
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 in three areas
km 230 to km 232 - Early September to November
km 234.5 to km 235 - Early July to late September
km 239 to km 241 - June to mid July
There will be logging trucks on the road between the active logging areas and the access road at km 232
The trail will remain open, but walkers going through that area will need to adhere to the following
- Heed signs and road banners. If the road has a banner across it, it is due to logging operations – call the phone number shown on the signs and wait at the banner. You will be noticed and will be escorted through the work site. Do not go through the banner without receiving an acknowledgement from the crew.
- Log trucks are active on sections of the trail. Keep your ears open for them and keep to the side of the road. If you are walking early in the morning before dawn it is a good idea to carry a light and have some reflective material on your pack.
- Road maintenance machinery (excavators, graders, trucks, etc) are occasionally present. Never walk past a machine without making prior eye contact with the operator.
Location
The trail from Paihia to Opua is closed for maintenance until further notice. Other alternatives are by water or via the ferry to Russell.
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.
- When you come to Sandy Bay head west up Matapouri Road for 4km - (Please be careful and wear hi-viz)
- Turn left and head south along Kaiatea Rd, turn left onto Te Toiroa Rd
- Stay to the right past BOTH intersections with Kiwi Bush Lane (it’s a loop road)
- About 100m past the second Kiwi Bush Lane intersection, turn left onto the signposted Ngunguru Old Coach Trail
- After about 2km, emerge onto Pukenui Rd, follow that to Waiotoi Rd and then to Ngunguru
Alternative
Each year between 1 May and 15 September people will need to use the Ngunguru to Horahora Bypass.
Directions for Te Araroa road detour around Ngunguru and Horahora Rivers if you are southbound:
From the corner of Ngunguru Road and Pāpaka Road, walk west out of the village and continue on the road margin until you reach a junction with Ngunguru Ford Road (11km). Ngunguru Road is a very busy road linking Ngunguru to Whāngārei — take a lot of care walking and stay as far off the edge as you can. Wear a hi-viz vest and do not use headphones. Follow Ngunguru Ford Road southeast for 3km to the start of Mackerel Forest Track. This forest track then travels 4.2km south to the junction of Pataua North Rd. Turn left and walk a further 7.7km to join the trail again on the south side of the Horahora River.
Details
SEASONAL CLOSURE
The Karamu Walkway closes every year from 1 August to 10 November.
The walkway starts from Old Mountain Road at km 801.5. The bypass route begins at the eastern end of Old Mountain Road, km 797 southbound
Alternative
Safely navigate by road to the start of the Mt Pirongia Track.
Please do not attempt to walk this route when closed.
Details
SEASONAL CLOSURE
The Mahoe Track (Mahoe Rd to Nga Tapuwae Rd, north of Waitomo) is closed 1 August to 1 October every year for lambing.
Alternative
Walk safely on Mahoe Rd, Hauturu Rd and Te Anga Rd to Waitomo.
Please do not attempt to walk this track when it is closed.
Details
SEASONAL CLOSURE
The Pehitawa Track (Waitomo to Te Kuiti) is closed every year from 1 August to 1 October for lambing/calving.
Alternative
Navigate safely around road alternative.
Please do not attempt to walk this route when closed.
Details
SEASONAL CLOSURE
The Mangaokewa River Track is closed every year from 1 August to 31 October for lambing.
Alternative
Navigate safely around a road alternative - or skip directly ahead to the Timber Trail (Pureora Forest).
Please do not attempt to walk this route when it is closed.
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.
DOC advise that "There is a slip on the Ohau Gorge Track, between Poads Road and Gable End Ridge. There is a track diversion above the slip face. Take care over this diversion as it is still under construction. Do not attempt to cross the slip."
First published on 16 November 2021. Last reviewed on 8 June 2022.
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
Blue Bluff slip on Otaki Gorge Road
Contractors will be carrying out some works for KiwiRail near South Beach Road in Plimmerton in August 2022 that will require temporary closures on the Coastal Walkway that forms part of Te Araroa.
The alternative route is via the footpath along SH59. There will be signage in place to direct people to the detour.
Dates for this would be: Friday the 19th August, Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st
DOC have advised that there are numerous windfalls on the Pelorus Track/Te Araroa Trail between the Maungatapu Road end and Totara Saddle in the Richmond Ranges. Visitors should be aware that they may need to allow extra time and be prepared to negotiate these windfalls
Totara Saddle is just before Browning Hut.
The end date for this alert is unknown. A section of windfalls between km 1860 and km 1864 from by a storm in 2018 was partially cleared by 2019 but remains difficult.
Details
SEASONAL CLOSURE
Mt Linton Station (south of Takitimu Mountains) is closed every year from 25 September to 5 November for lambing.
Alternative
There is no easy walking alternative so we recommend not attempting this section until it is open from 5 November.
Please do not attempt to walk this route when closed.
Details
SEASONAL CLOSURE
The route from Birchwood (south of Mt Linton Station) to Merrivale (north of Longwood Range) is closed every year from 9 September to 9 November for lambing.
Alternative
There is no easy alternative so we recommend not attempting to walk this route until it opens on 9 November.
Please do not attempt to walk this route when it is closed.
Details
Te Araroa route through Island Bush Block is closed to walkers due to forestry operations from Monday 2nd May 2022. This closure applies until further notice expected to be circa 4 months. 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 estimated. Check local signage in September
Alternative
