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
The Pewhairangi/Bay of Islands District Office is employing contractors to hunt goats in Puketi Forest. This work will be happening from late December through to the end of June 2022. Please be aware of the presence of hunters with dogs and firearms targeting goats near Te Araroa and along the Puketi Forest bypass route
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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
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.
EcoFX intends to sow 1080 (Sodium fluoroacetate) toxic bait over a portion of the Te Araroa trail for the treatment area.
The operation is expected to go ahead between 1 April 2022 and 25 June 2022. 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:
- immediately after the occurrence of strong winds; or
- 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.
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.
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.
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
From 16-30 June 2022, contractors will be carrying out maintenance on the two swing bridges on the Escarpment Track.
The work involves inspection, load testing, and installation of kickboards.
The contractor carrying out the work has advised the work can be completed without closing the Escarpment Track, but that at times walkers may be inconvenienced by having to wait at either end of the swing bridges for the contractor to guide walkers across the bridge.
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
