BACKCOUNTRY TRUST - Supporting Aotearoa's Backcountry Heritage
  • About
    • Our History
    • Who We Are
    • Our Key Supporters
    • Performance Report
    • BCT Managed Huts
  • Our Work
    • Volunteer Projects
    • Kaimahi for Nature Projects
    • Partnership Delivery
  • Volunteer
    • Apply
    • Guidelines
    • Claims, Payments and Reporting
    • Resources
    • FAQ
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Donate
  • About
    • Our History
    • Who We Are
    • Our Key Supporters
    • Performance Report
    • BCT Managed Huts
  • Our Work
    • Volunteer Projects
    • Kaimahi for Nature Projects
    • Partnership Delivery
  • Volunteer
    • Apply
    • Guidelines
    • Claims, Payments and Reporting
    • Resources
    • FAQ
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Donate

KAHIKATEA LODGE: A BRAND NEW HUT FOR OTAGO

15/12/2021

 
Waianakarua Scenic Reserve, Ōamaru – November & December 2021
Picture
the new kahikatea lodge, pictured after a second work party in December 2021
​Thanks to the efforts of hunters from the North Otago branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association, a new hut sits proudly on a ridge-top in this bush reserve near Ōamaru. Over the rest of summer, NZDA members led by Barry Wilson will be putting the finishing touches on the new facility, named Kahikatea Lodge.
Picture
the hut site showing the camp during the first building phase in november
​The 6-bunk hut is located in the Waianakarua Scenic Reserve, just south of the Otago town of Ōamaru. It’s well positioned on a ridge separating two hunting blocks, which will help to open up a large area of the reserve previously not hunted much.
Picture
so it begins ...
​The lodge was built through a community agreement with DOC’s Coastal Otago Office, and with funding support from the Backcountry Trust. Kahikatea Lodge will be maintained by the NZDA North Otago Branch, while becoming part of DOC’s network of huts available to the general public.
 
The other significant funder was the Otago Community Trust, while NZDA members themselves offset the majority of costs through fundraising and using volunteers for the planning and building. The budget was a modest $100,000.
Picture
building camp
​Project leader Barry Wilson says it has been a busy and testing two-and-a-half years of effort, which involved many hours to obtain the necessary consents and reports required by DOC and the Otago Conservation Board. This included independent environmental and geotechnical assessments, resource and building consent from the Waitaki District Council, as well as consultation with Ngāi Tahu and local groups.
Picture
Alan Holmquist, builder-in-charge, digging pile holes
Picture
DANIEL O'BRIEN ON THE JOB
Picture
Neil Anderson and Linton Clarke on the tools
In November, materials were transported onto site by helicopter, and NZDA volunteers began building the hut. The building team included: Alan Holmquist as builder-in-charge, Mark Hay, Daniel O'Brien, Neil Anderson, John Ingram, Phil Thomson, Tom Burlinson (DOC Oamaru), James Symes and Barry Wilson as ‘cook and bottle washer’. Trent Landaus did the solar and lighting work.
Picture
​Final tasks to complete include installing two water-tanks, both of which may be needed during dry summers, as the lodge is dependent on rain from the roof for the water supply. Wilson says he hopes everything will be completed for an opening in January 2022.
Picture
​All the hard mahi has been worth it for Barry Wilson, who plans to take his grandchildren hunting in the area. Barry himself began hunting a 5-year-old, has been a keen hunter ever since, and says the Kahikatea Lodge project is a way of ‘putting back something for the future generations.’
Picture
​Access to the hut takes 1.5 hours on a steep, blazed trail requiring reasonable fitness. Helicopter access is available from nearby Herbert. Local game includes red deer, pigs and feral sheep, and during the annual ‘roar’ hunting is balloted.
Picture
kahikatea hut at the end of the first building phase in november 2021
​The only other hut in the reserve is the privately-owned Staircase Hut. Senior DOC ranger Shay van der Hurk said that Kahikatea Lodge will be ‘an excellent addition to the reserve.’
Picture
>Go Back to Project List

Comments are closed.

    Projects

    March 2025
    February 2025
    October 2024
    August 2024
    June 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    October 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    June 2018
    March 2018

Quick Links

SUPPORTED BY

Apply for a Grant
Donate to the BCT
View Volunteer Projects
Latest News
Remote Huts Forum and Blog

Picture
Picture
Picture
© BACKCOUNTRY TRUST 2025
JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER LIST