Mangatainoka Hut

Located in Kaweka Forest Park in the Hawke’s Bay region

Located at 720 metres altitude, this hut is well placed for hunting and provides access to the less-accessible northern area of the Kaweka Forest Park.
  • Wood burning stove
  • River water supply
  • Meat safe
  • Long drop style toilet

Mangatainoka Hut is located very close to the northern park boundary on the true left bank of the Mangatainoka River (a tributary of the Mohaka River)

Built in 1966, this hut’s original standard design has been upgraded by adding a small covered front veranda and an outside wood cupboard. The hut sits on a narrow old riverbed terrace overlooking the Mangatainoka River. The water supply river is located 25 metres below the hut. 

The hut’s position within the narrow river valley means that low sunshine hours are common in winter. Heavy winter frosts and brief snowfalls in winter should also be expected, but the hut is well sheltered from the strong westerly winds that affect other parts of the park.

Fees

  • Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
  • Youth (5–17 years): $5 per night
  • Child/Infant (0–4 years): free

Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period.

About hut tickets and passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Note the hut site is approximately 200 metres from the northern Kaweka Forest Park boundary. Permission is required from the Māori landowners to access their land.

Helicopter

The helipad is located on the old riverbed terrace, approximately 25 metres from the hut. Flight availability and costs can be obtained from helicopter concessionaires in the central North Island.

Walking

Tussock Hut (5 – 6 hr)

From Tussock Hut, a marked route leads north to the top northern finger of the Tussock Valley and then heads north-east up, along and down a ridge that joins the upper Mangatainoka River. From here, the track is not well defined and trampers can follow the river down to the hut. Expect this trip to take 5 to 6 hours to cover approximately 9 kilometres.

Te Puia Lodge (9 hr)

From Te Puia Lodge travel to Mangatainoka Hut is over private land via the river valleys of the Mohaka and Mangatainoka and permission is required to access this area. This route is not well defined and can take up to 9 hours.

Tramping

Mangatainoka Hut is best suited to trampers seeking a back-country wilderness experience. The absence of well marked tracks and the sometimes confusing terrain of many ridges and gullies mean that trampers should be well prepared for back-country travel and experienced at navigation with maps and compass/GPS. The terrain in the south east towards the Waimatai catchment and the main Kaweka Range can be steep and the twisting creek systems possess some awkward to negotiate gorges – travel can be difficult here.

Those trampers keen to travel off the beaten track in this area should consult with department staff familiar with the area.

Kaweka Forest Park access conditions

We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.

  • Lotkow Road: The river crossings are regularly changing, check before crossing.
  • Lakes carpark is accessible via Kuripapango road. The previous access Castle Rock road is now closed due to ongoing forestry operations.
  • Lawrence Carpark access road: The last 600 m of the road is steep and not recommended for 2WD vehicles - a parking space is available before the descent. The Lawrence swing bridge has been removed.
  • Mackintosh car park is currently closed due to ongoing forestry operations. A new parking location can be located at a skid site near the closed gate (end of Kuripapango Road), this will add on 500 m walking to reach the start of the track.
  • Whittle Road: Be aware of trucks using the quarry. Give them right of way where possible. 

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BH37
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1884615, N5661974