Thread: Old huts

Originally Posted by Woody

I hadnt seen this thread before. I used to hunt a lot from Pukeroa through Central Whirinaki, Te Taumutu, Upper Whirinaki and Plateau during the mid 1960"s. Cullers were still in Kaingaroa in those days but I liked Central- Te taumutu ( which I nicknamed christmas creek), which used to be like parkland then. Nothing left of Pukeroa now but I noticed a bivvy on the edge toward old hautapu site on the bush edge a couple of years ago. Ive been wondeting if it can be legally driven to during fire season on the old pukeroa road. ( My knees are pretty buggered to walk far these days.

@Danny should be able to point you in the right direction, haven't been there for 45 years.

Originally Posted by tetawa

@Danny should be able to point you in the right direction, haven't been there for 45 years.

Yep the road is still accessible as long as you obviously come via Waipunga or South Rds. The Waipunga end in best to access those spots as the Pukeroa end has deliberately been left (Douglas fur overgrown) and the roads aren’t flash... not like the old days in my Grandfathers Toyota Corona - 60kms around corners looking for deer and rabbits. He was a mad but likeable bugger.
It’s quite a maze through there these days as it’s all been cutover and it looks a way different year to year but it’s great to get to those spots. I tent by the old Hautapu hut, not because it’s nice because it ain’t! but because it has some lovely memories for me and no doubt way more for you old as buggers
The Forest is open soon (hopefully) so that cuts an hour off the drive through to those iconic spots.


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Originally Posted by Danny

Yep the road is still accessible as long as you obviously come via Waipunga or South Rds. The Waipunga end in best to access those spots as the Pukeroa end has deliberately been left (Douglas fur overgrown) and the roads aren’t flash... not like the old days in my Grandfathers Toyota Corona - 60kms around corners looking for deer and rabbits. He was a mad but likeable bugger.
It’s quite a maze through there these days as it’s all been cutover and it looks a way different year to year but it’s great to get to those spots. I tent by the old Hautapu hut, not because it’s nice because it ain’t! but because it has some lovely memories for me and no doubt way more for you old as buggers
The Forest is open soon (hopefully) so that cuts an hour off the drive through to those iconic spots.


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When all the "crap" is over, need to do a trip over there, many great memories but know it won't be the same.

Originally Posted by tetawa

When all the "crap" is over, need to do a trip over there, many great memories but know it won't be the same.

That’ll be good mate.


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In the 1980s, took my boat down to Waikaremoana one roar, and camped on a beach under Panekiri. Poking around the lake edge in the boat, and I followed a smallish stream up which spilled into the lake. Pushed through some thickish growth overhanging the stream, and lo and behold, found a small jetty built of manuka stakes. A ladder led from the water up to the jetty decking. From the jetty, we spotted a neat little hut complete with a pot belly stove and a couple of bunks. As it was cold, we shifted camp and moved in to the hut. When my mate asked what would happen if the owner arrived while we were there, I said we'd ask if he had a permit and resource consent for the structure.....
Came home with 2 good stags, shot metres from the lake edge (and boat!). Fookin' luxury!

man thats interesting I spent 8 years at lake as a ranger early 90,s I knew of 4 private huts down the lake but not one under Panekiri

Originally Posted by Lucky

Attachment 135625

A great thread. Thanks guys.