Alerts and trail status

Effective

Immediately

Until

31 December 2021

Details

Due to a change in farm operations we need to communcate a bypass through the Pukatotara Landcorp Farm. Please see below for the details and map 

Alternative

When you get to marker 211 on Mangakaretu Road you need to continue down that road until you come to Puketotara Road, turn left here and walk until you come to State Highway 10 and turn left and walk until you get to marker and you re join the trail from here. The total detour is 7.7km from point 211 until point 218.  See below for the bypass, in yellow.

Effective

Immediately

Until

31 December 2021

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 to the following KM markers - 228 -231

The trail will remain open, but walkers going through that area will need to adhere to the following 


A) Walkers can expect traffic control when trees are being felled within 2 tree lengths of Roads. This means some delays would be expected if walkers are in place at the same time as logging activities.

 

B) There will be a safety issue with traffic in shared road activities (Walkers/logging operations), these ones won’t be with traffic control, both parties must keep an eye on other activities.

 

Alternative

Effective

21 October 2021

Until

30 June 2022

Details

The trail from Paihia to Opua may be closed from time to time due to council maintenance. Recommend that you check first with the Paihia I-SITE before leaving Paihia. Other alternatives are by water or via the ferry to Russell.

Effective

12 November 2020

Until

30 June 2022

Details

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 Hirephone 0800 611440 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 (0273093476) 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 Sues Place.

Alternative

Effective

Monday 27 April 2021

Until

1 April 2022

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. 

Effective

Immediately

Until

Further Notice

Details

Due to land closure we now have a major re route between Whananaki South and Ngunguru. 

Alternative

Effective

1 August

Until

30 September (Every year)

Details

SEASONAL CLOSURE

The connection from Cove Rd to the Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway is closed every year from 1 August to 30 September for lambing.

Alternative

There is no through-route available here between 1 August and 30 September.

Safely walk along Cove Rd to Mangahwai Heads.

The Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway remains accessible along the beach (as a loop) from Mangawhai Heads. 

Please do not attempt to walk this route when it is closed.

Effective

3rd October 2021

Until

Further notice

Details

Under covid regulations it is not permitted to cross from Northland to Auckland for non-essential purposes.  Unfortunately that includes Te Araroa.  The current boundary is 2 km after crossing the bridge at the southern edge of Mangawhai on Black Swamp Road, km 447 (TA 2020-21 v39 maps) or km 457.5 (TA 2021-22 v40 maps)

Effective

1 August

Until

31 October (every year)

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. 

Effective

1 August

Until

1 October Every year)

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.

Effective

1 August

Until

1 October (Every year)

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.

Effective

1 August

Until

31 October (Every year)

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.

Effective

8 October 2021

Until

further notice

Details

Under covid regulations it is not permitted to cross from the boundary between the Auckland-Waikato level-3 zones and the Manuwatü-Whanganui region for non-essential purposes.  Unfortunately that includes Te Araroa.  The current southern boundary of the level 3 section appears to be Ongarue Stream Road, km 960 (TA 2020-21 v39 maps, map 44) or km 973 (TA 2021-22 v40 maps, map 49)

In practice northbound hikers coming from Wellington should probably plan to leave Te Araroa at Taumarunui

Effective

20 October 2020

Until

31 December 2021

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

Effective

September 2021

Until

January 2022

Details

Roadworks have begun in preparation for constructing a permanent bypass for the large slip that blocked Gladstone road at km 1553. A temporary bypass road has now been provided, including a gravel road, two bridges and a small ford.  In severe flood conditions the ford and bypass road could become unusable. In this case NOBOs would be unable to cross the first stream so just wait it out. If SOBOs can cross the last stream on the farmland the road will be fine.

Take care when the road works and underway and follow the instructions of the traffic controllers.

Effective

Immediately

Until

31 December 2021

Details

Foresty work is underway near the Coleridge Village in Canterbury.  Because of the work we need to bypass the forest - please see below for the BLUE line and the new route.  please be aware of logging trucks in the area and respect the use of the farm track - this is a working farm. 

Alternative

Effective

25 September

Until

5 November (Every year)

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. 

Effective

9 September

Until

9 November (Every year)

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. 

Effective

Monday 5 July 2021

Until

30 November 2021

Details

Due to logging operations we have a bypass in place - Re-routing for south bounders is via road verge from Hewitt road to Merrivale just as before and of course the reverse for north bounders - see map below 

Alternative