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
DOC advise that heavy machinery and trucks will be present on the Omahuta Sanctuary Road and Blackbridge Road from the 21st of November to the end of the December.
Please use caution, listen out for heavy machinery and do not attempt walk past the diggers, and trucks until they are aware of your presence and have stopped work for you to safely pass. Plan for delays and be safe
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 Signs place by landowners, or by Te Araroa Trust, take precedence over any other map or guide, as these may be out of date.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
From the Puketī Recreation Centre, walk south down Waiare Road for almost 5km to the crossroads with Puketi Road and Puketotara Road. Turn left (east) and follow Puketotara Road for 2.5 km to the intersection with Mangakaretu Road. The signpost shows Kerikeri ahead, but the trail turns left (north) up Mangakaretu Road. Rejoin the mapped route at km 203.2
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 Ngati Hapu 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 within
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
Rayonier Matariki Forests decided to move harvesting work to this section of forest because of weather conditions. The current operation is expected to last approximately two weeks. In the immediate term please stop and adhere to their signage to ensure walker safety. Forestry workers are watching for Te Araroa walkers and will help you move past the danger area. The priority is to stay safe and that may require waiting, as instructed by signs.
The new pedestrian bridge to Mangere will be closed for resurfacing from 10am 28 November until 7pm 9 December 2022. Use the pedestrian underpass attached to the vehicle bridge. From the point where the footpath rises to align with the new pedestrian bridge at km 604.8 turn sharp left, away from the bridge, to use the short pedestrian bridge to cross over the road and join the path leading to the older route underneath the vehicle bridge.
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 
The 42 Traverse is closed due to a slip. A 150 m section of track has washed away. The track is impassable to all users.
First published on 28 November 2022.
This message received from DOC 5:00pm 28 November. Location estimated to be km 1088.5. That is 19 km from Owhango. This location may may not be totally accurate. Hoping for more information from DOC. End date for this Alert is unknown
Map image may not be displayed in some apps
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Red Crater forecast for today.
Link for web browsers and iOS Notes and Maps app only.
Internet connection required
DOC have advised that part of the Mangapurua Track is closed. This is around km 1244 to km 1250 of the track approaching Mangapurua Landing, a common start point for the canoe or kayak section of the Wanganui River. It is now known how long the track will remain closed. Contact the canoe hire operators for advice.
If you are a cyclist, and wish to avoid a detour using main highway, Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles is set up to take Cyclists avoiding this section.
Please either send an email to ruapehushuttle@gmail.com or call 020 411 14648 to arrange this transport.
Mangapurua Track partially closed
Mangapurua Track from the Bridge to Nowhere to Bartrum’s is closed due to significant damage and slips caused by recent weather events. The track is impassable and dangerous in places.
This is a long-term alert.
First published on 22 June 2022. Last reviewed on 29 September 2022.
Mangapurua Track closed to cyclists
Mangapurua Track is closed to cyclists over the winter period: 7 June – 21 October 2022 (day after Queen’s Birthday to Friday before Labour weekend).
First published on 10 May 2022.
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.
There are currently two alternative options if you wish to walk out to resupply in Otaki:
1. It is now (from August 2022) possible to walk out via the Otaki Gorge Road as a walking track over the large slip has been constructed. This track requires some caution, a reasonable level of fitness and some confidence around heights. It is approx. 4km walk from Otaki Forks to Shields Flat carpark, expected to take 1 hour. (Follow the road on the below map, a track has been constructed over the marked slip).
2. There is also 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. More information available on DOC website here. (Bypass track marked on below map).
For both of these options, from Shields Flat it is 11km to SH1 and a further 2km to Otaki township.
Alternative
Remain on the trail and be prepared to carry enough supplies and food for the walk between Levin to Waikanae - or vice versa.
Te Araroa maps now a show a diversion that uses the lower part of Waiopehu track to avoid the Ohau Gorge completely. The DOC alert is retained here for information
DOC advise that "The Ohau Gorge Track is closed due to a signficant slip between the Poads Road end and the Six Discs track in the Ohau Gorge. Please take the alternate route along the Waiopehu Track."
First published on 7 June 2022. Last reviewed on 27 October 2022.
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.
There are currently two alternative options if you wish to walk out to resupply in Otaki:
1. It is now (from August 2022) possible to walk out via the Otaki Gorge Road as a walking track over the large slip has been constructed. This track requires some caution, a reasonable level of fitness and some confidence around heights. It is approx. 4km walk from Otaki Forks to Shields Flat carpark, expected to take 1 hour. (Follow the road on the below map, a track has been constructed over the marked slip).
2. There is also 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. More information available on DOC website here. (Bypass track marked on below map).
For both of these options, from Shields Flat it is 11km to SH1 and a further 2km to Otaki township.
Alternative
Remain on the trail and be prepared to carry enough supplies and food for the walk between Levin to Waikanae - or vice versa.
Please note the Waikanae entrance SOBO to the Waikanae River trail is closed as construction is undertaken on the bridge just by the entrance. Access way to the river trail is available approx. 75m before the construction area down a small alleyway just after the Maison Cafe and Restaurant (behind the "Guest Parking" sign). Follow the alleyway and at end turn left on to a river access track. After approx. 50m you will come out on to the river trail. Turn right and head west.
Alternatively you can continue on, passing the work area, cross over the bridge and walk the south bank of the Waikanae River through to Otaihanga Domain.
NOBO's - there is signage advising track is closed and directing you up the access track and on to the alley way where you will come out on the Main Road.
Updated information 2 October 2022 from DOC: 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
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 1863 and km 1867 from by a storm in 2018 was partially cleared by 2019 but remains difficult.
A slip on a tributary stream between Totara Saddle (km 1868) and Browning Hut (km 1869) has eroded the stream bank, presenting a vertical drop of 1.5 metres. It may be necessary to make a detour upstream to find a better place to cross.
Further down the Browning Stream the recent flooding (September 2022) has deposited silt and rocks into the stream, raising the stream bed. This makes low water route subject to flooding after rain. The high water route between Browning Hut and Hacket Hut is the better option
Do not swim, wash, take water or put any equipment into Rotomairewhenua (Blue Lake) or Rotopōhueroa (Lake Constance). 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.
