Redevelopment of Kaimai Forest Park

The Te Rereatukahia Hut, which sleeps 12, has undergone a significant makeover thanks to the work of volunteers and support of sponsors.

The Kaimai Forest Park could become one of New Zealand’s most accessible and popular outdoor destinations now a volunteer-based community group has been formed to help ensure the newly-named Kaimai Ridgeway reaches its potential as an iconic national walking trail.

Kaimai Ridgeway Trust chairman Roger Montgomerie says the formation of the trust is an exciting step towards enabling greater use and enjoyment of Kaimai Forest Park.

“There are about 350km of backcountry tracks within the park, accessible from about 26 entry and exit points, which link in with what has formerly been known as the Kaimai North South Track.

“These have been utilised and enjoyed for decades by a diverse range of groups and individuals, many of who are now part of the Kaimai Ridgeway Trust.”

Modern huts

Volunteer groups have put in thousands of hours opening up and improving facilities and tracks throughout the park. Roger says the aim is to build several modern, 12-bed huts about six or seven hours apart along the Kaimai Ridgeway, enabling people to make a five to seven-day tramp through the ranges.

“However, because of its accessibility from road ends on both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty sides of the range, it will be possible for people to enjoy shorter day tramps or one or two-night adventures from the numerous points along the way.”

Auckland Tramping Club president Tony Walton and Kaimai Ridgeway Trust member agrees it is time to upgrade and promote the route.

“The Kaimai Range is a wonderful area of rugged bush; but on the other hand it is very accessible and offers a range of options including short walks or five to seven-day experiences.”

Multi-day tramps

Tony says there is increasing demand for multi-day trips “but trampers, hunters and other park users want more comfortable accommodation from which to better enjoy the Kaimai Range during a period of a few days”.

Tony is confident that with upgraded huts and tracks and increased publicity, the area will grow in popularity. “There are some superb open ridge tracks which offer spectacular views.

“Some tracks are unstable and exposed so we are working to ensure they will be able to sustain increased visitor numbers for the longer term.”

The trust structure is based on two representatives from deerstalkers, two representatives from tramping groups and one independent trustee. The trustees are Tony Walton from Auckland Tramping Club, Stan Lowe from Bay of Plenty Deerstalkers, Maureen Coleman from Thames Valley Deerstalkers, independent trustee John Harris, and Roger Montgomerie from Kaimai Ramblers Tramping Group. The key roles of the trust are chairman, Roger and secretary-treasurer, Tony.

The groups involved in the trust have many years of connection with the park and have routinely been involved in track clearing and maintenance. These roles are more formalised under the trust’s management agreement with the Department of Conservation, as is the upgrade and maintenance of huts.

Te Rereatukahia Hut

Already Te Rereatukahia Hut, which sleeps 12, has undergone a significant makeover. “Many hut users will remember enduring a stay in the cold and damp hut, but not anymore,” says Roger.

Thanks to the work of volunteers and the support of sponsors, the deck and roof at the front of the hut has been extended to accommodate and cover a stainless steel bench with a sink and running water.

Both ends of the deck have been filled in to provide more shelter and inside now features a Sparky woodburner, which Roger says is a real winner with all hut users. The fire was installed free of charge by the team from the Tauranga Fireman Co.

The hut’s exterior has been brightened as has the interior thanks to Tauranga Master Painters volunteers, who helped apply the paint supplied by Dulux NZ through a special promotional scheme with Department of Conservation.

Upgrading the hut fits with the trust’s aims, which include assisting in the establishment and maintenance of outdoor recreational facilities, including huts, campsites and tracks.

Environmental research

The trust also plans to support conservation, pest control and environmental research in the Kaimai Range; and to work with other organisations and people engaged in outdoor education and recreational activity including school groups, youth groups and anyone keen to enjoy the great outdoors.

“Few great backcountry areas are as accessible as the Kaimai Ridgeway in this part of the country,” says Roger. It’s right on the doorstep of Tauranga and Hamilton cities and less than two hours’ drive from Auckland too. In fact, it is within easy reach of half of New Zealand’s population.

“While some of the tracks require a good level of fitness and knowledge, others are relatively easy so are ideal for young families and a great way to introduce children to the outdoors.”

The Wagener Sparky woodburner, now installed in the Te Rereatukahia Hut, is popular with trampers walking the Kaimai Ridgeway.

Positive impacts

For teenagers especially, the Kaimai Range has much to offer, says Roger, who has seen the positive impact of reconnecting young people with nature can bring.

“Away from mobile phones and computers, young people can experience what it’s like to challenge themselves physically and enjoy the peace and the beauty of the bush.”

While the trust has already made important steps towards meeting its goals, Roger says there is a long way to go and it needs the help and support of more volunteers.

“We are looking for more passionate outdoor people to join us in our ongoing efforts and want to connect positively with as many outdoor enthusiasts as possible.” 

For more information about the Kaimai Ridgeway Trust developments and how you can help, see www.kaimairidgeway.nz


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