Alerts and trail status

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

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

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

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 northbound:

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.

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 northbound:

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:

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.

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.

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

Downer Construction will be carrying out some works for KiwiRail between Mana Station and Steyne Avenue in Plimmerton throughout the month of May that will require temporary closures on this section of Te Araroa Trail. The alternative route is via the footpath along SH59. There will be signage in place to direct people to the detour as well as a traffic management person at either end to direct people away from the work.

Works would be from Sunday to Wednesday nights between 1^st and 26^th May, from 7pm to 4am. Work will be progressive from Mana Station to Steyne Avenue.

Sunday 1^st May – Wednesday 4^th May

Sunday 8^th May – Wednesday 11^th May

Sunday 15^th May – Wednesday 18^th May

Sunday 22^nd May – Wednesday 25^th May (will likely be around houses on South Beach Rd)

Downer Construction will be carrying out some works for KiwiRail South Beach Road in Plimmerton on weekends in June that will require temporary closures on this section of Te Araroa Trail. The alternative route is via the footpath along SH59. There will be signage in place to direct people to the detour as well as a traffic management person at either end to direct people away from the work.

Weekend daytime works in early June, from 6am to 6pm. This will be most likely along the rail corridor by South Beach Rd opposite the houses. Dates for this would be:

Saturday 4^th June – Monday 6^th June

Saturday 18^th June – Sunday 19^th June (contingency date)

Sunday 26^th June (contingency date)

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 2^nd 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

There is a logging operation along Merivale Road, on the Longwood Forest Track. This is TA kilometre numbers 2888 to 2894. The company is currently harvesting, and soon to be shifting logs out. There are a lot of trucks moving already and will be for the next two months. Please be careful.