Alerts and trail status

The Raetea Forest Track along the high ridge is closed, but the Takahue Saddle Road/track to Broadwood is open and usable. Starting from the gravel track at the junction with Warner road at km 135, proceed up the normal Te Araroa route to a junction at approximately km 138. The track to the left turning up the ridge and marked with orange triangles is the closed Raetea Forest Track. The track turning sharp right goes to some pylons. Follow the wider middle track on the unformed legal road to rejoin Takahue Saddle Road (South) down to Broadwood

There is a campsite with water, toilet and shower (water level permitting) 1.5 km up the track at km 136.5. Please do not camp at the junction with Warner Road

Takahue Saddle Road (South) reaches the sealed main road at Broadwood. People in Broadwood have generously offered two temporary campsites for Te Araroa walkers. On reaching the main road, with the school straight ahead, walk to the right down the hill. Cross the bridge across the river and on the other side there is picnic area with toilets on the right and a little further on, on the left, a very well-supplied general store.

For a much quieter campsite away from the road there is a large and very nice campsite on the river bank the left (south) side of the main road, before the bridge. Look for two white posts in the roadside fence. Walk down past the large green shed. There are toilets with a water tap.  The supply depends on the river which is still cloudy from storm runoff. If the toilets are locked ask for the key at the store.

The 20 km sealed road from Broadwood to Mangamuka is narrow and winding, with limited road shoulder. Traffic is limited, but includes large logging trucks. Hitchhiking to Managamuka may be the safer option.

People in Mangamuka have generously offered a temporary campsite for Te Araroa walkers. Behind the old Mangamuka Hotel, now renamed Tautoko FM Radio, there is a flat patch of grass with a water tap (tank supply so be careful of water use). This is the low white building on the right corner as you reach SH1. There is no toilet at the campsite, but there is double longdrop with extensive views up SH1 to your left, just beyond the highly recommended Mangamuka Dairy.  Call in at the dairy (open 7 - 5 Monday to Friday) to ask before camping

Please be considerate of the local people's generosity in sharing. These people are enduring severe disruption due to the closure of SH1 access to work, school and shopping in Kaitaia

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

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

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 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.

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

Track rebuilding machinery including diggers and other motorised machinery will be operating throughout the Queen Charlotte Track from Monday 5 September, until further notice.  Signage will be in place, and please follow the direction of staff when you come across work sites.

Nelson Visitor Centre  

79 Trafalgar St, Nelson

03 546 9339  

The Link Pathway section from the end of the Linkwater Straight (km 1790.8) to Cullen Point (km 1798.5) is currently impassible due to severe storm damage. Te Araroa walkers should use the road alternative. Assessment for repair is underway, but the timetable is unknown at this stage.  The end date for this alert is not known

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 1 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.