Image: Aaron K Hall | Creative Commons
Te Pukeohikarua (Te Puke) Hut.
Te Pukeohikarua (Te Puke) Hut

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

Te Puke Hut is popular for fly-in hunters and trampers completing the east to west or west to east Kaweka crossings.
  • Heating - wood burning stove
  • Water - from a stream, 25 m north of the hut
  • Toilet - long drop, 20 m south of the hut
  • Meat safe

Te Puke hut is located in the upper central region of the Kaweka Forest Park, at the southern end of the Te Pukeohikarua Tops.

Originally a typical New Zealand Forest Service six bunk hut (mid 1960s), the hut was fully modified during the 2002 summer.

It's popular for fly-in hunters and trampers completing the east to west or west to east Kaweka crossings. The hut also provides access to the northern areas 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

Helicopter

There is a helipad located beyond the water supply creek on a ridge 80 metres above and to the north of the hut. Flight availability and costs can be obtained from helicopter concessionaires in the central North Island.

Walking

Main tracks are from the west (Harkness Hut: 2.5 – 3 hours) and the south-east (Mangaturutu Hut: 3 hours)

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: BJ37
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1882982, N5656629

Snow can fall at any time during the year and although the hut is sheltered from the strong westerly winds, the nearby tops can experience severe gales on occasions.