Fees to 30 June 2026

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

Bookings aren't required. But 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

Fees from 1 July 2026

New rates apply. Updated hut and sole occupancy fees from 1 July 2026.

Te Araroa – The Trail Pass

Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass.

Te Matawai hut is on the Nothern Crossing. It's best accessed from the western side of the Tararua Forest Park via Gladstone Road and Poads Road.

Approximate times from nearest road and huts

• Poads Road: 6 hr
• Arete Hut: 2 hr
• Waiopehu Hut: 4 hr 30 min – 5 hr
• Mangahao Flats Hut: 4–5 hr