MOTUTAPERE HUT

Kaimai-Mamuku Forest Park, Bay of Plenty – February 2021

MOTUTAPERE HUT: LOOKING GREAT

​Situated near Sentinel Rock on the crest of the Kaimai Range, Motutapere Hut has recently had a significant upgrade. The hut, used by hunters and trampers, can be accessed from the Tuahu Track, or from the Mt Eliza Mine Track, both of which link with North South Track.

BEFORE UP-GRADE

​Members of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Thames Valley Branch, and friends undertook the work, with funding from the BCT for helicopter transport. Altogether some 16 different people were involved, and spent an estimated 197 person-hours.

DIGGING A DRAINAGE DITCH, WITH CANINE SUPERVISION

​After two initial trips to scope the work in 2020, materials and tools were sorted, delivered and subsequently weighed for flying in. Track work was completed to allow better foot access. Tasks completed on the early trips included: levelling the sink, clearing the waste pipe, and filling gaps to prevent entry by rats.

​After a delay of some months, materials were finally delivered to Motutapere Hut and work began in earnest over February 2021. This included replacing the mattresses and missing bunk slats, raising the toilet floor, constructing a storage cupboard, renovating the meat safe, staining the cladding, extending the waste pipe, cleaning the guttering, installing signs, moving and levelling the decks, and installing two more rat bait stations.

​Among others, a big thanks to: Mike Cook, Kylie Cook, Mike Deane, Kyle Wiltenburg, Maureen Coleman, Charlie Baillie, Emma Waterman, Dan Cox, Ashleigh Dewar, Dale McGuire, Mike Nankivell, Wendy Nankivell and DOC’s Warren Geraghty.

BRIDGING THE GAP