OTEMATAPAIO ‘PINK’ HUT new horse pen

Oteake Conservation Park, Canterbury – 15 January 2022

Otematapaio or Pink Hut is situated on the old Otematapaio Station near the head of the Otematapaio Creek on the boundary with Otematata Station and approximately 18 kilometres from the main Omarama to Otematata highway. Otematapaio Station was originally part of Omarama Station, which ran from the Ahuriri River to the Otematapaio River. Many websites name the hut as 'Otematapaio Station Hut', but to the local owners, musterers and fencers, it was always known as the ‘Pink Hut’. The old horse pen had been washed away and fallen into disrepair. 

Members of the High Country Pleasure Riders Club

​All the fencing materials were purchased thanks to a very generous donation from Mike Browne of Fox Glacier.  The Backcountry Trust funded helicopter transport for these materials to be dropped onto site, ready for volunteers from the High Country Pleasure Riders Club to start work.

April Hill reports (photos by Jill Jenkins): ‘In January 2022, 13 High Country Pleasure riders and two packhorses assembled at Otematapaio Station and rode up the Otematapaio River for 2.5 hrs. The large 60 x 60 metre pen was erected back-to-back with the Otematata Station boundary fence.’ 

​‘Horse trekkers intending on going to Pink Hut will need to get a key from DOC Twizel, to get through a locked gate above the parking area.’

​‘The High Country Pleasure Riders Club would greatly appreciate it if horse trekkers using the pen could muck-out manure afterwards, or at the very least, kick it around to ensure the area is kept user-friendly for other users.’