Image: DOC
Small orange building on grassy hill.
Poutaki Hut

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

This is a basic four-bunk hut in the Hawke's Bay region.
  • Water source - rainwater tank
  • Heating source - woodburner

Poutaki Hut was reconstructed from parts of the old Makaroro Base Hut and built by NZFS Rangers Robin Oliver and Brian Maplesden in 1983 as a recreational hut. It replaced the Puketoi Musterers Hut situated 100 metres east of here, which has since burned down. 

In 2021 Poutaki Hut was restored by volunteers funded by the Backcountry Trust. 

Altitude:  960m.

Fees

Free

The most common access route begins at the end of Leatherwood Road on the western side of the Wakarara Range, inside Gwavas Forest owned by PanPac Forestries. Foot access is permitted to the start of the track via Wakarara road from Ellis (Murderers) Hut or the Wakarara Roadend carpark. 

Take care as forestry vehicles are operating in this area. Wakarara Road is closed beyond Leatherwood Road.

This track is not shown on some maps, but is well-cut and marked. From the end of Leatherwood Road the track climbs the spur steeply and eases off before the summit of Poutaki (1020m). Walk past the radio mast and drop steeply down the track for several minutes before reaching the hut on a north-east facing clearing.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BK37
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1884204, N5597140

You must obtain a weekend permit to carry firearms. Permits are issued for Saturday and Sunday on the Monday before. To request a permit, phone +64 6 834 3111.

Only two hunting parties are permitted per weekend, with a maximum of two hunters per party.

Hunting dogs are allowed by special permit only. No other dogs are permitted. Request a hunting dog permit when you request your hunting permit.