Kapara Conservation Area & Ahoroa and Moeawatea Scenic Reserves hunting

Goats are present in moderate numbers and pigs in low numbers.

General information

Permits are available online as 'Whanganui Forests' under the Central North Island hunting block.

The blocks are north of both Waitotara and Waverley within the catchments of the Waitotara and Whenuakura Rivers. The vegetation in these blocks is mainly podocarp/tawa forest with small areas of grass and manuka regeneration. The topography is steep to very steep. Kiwi are known to be present.

Access

There are three access points to these blocks:

• Waitōtara Valley Road end; from State Highway 3 by the road bridge over the Waitōtara River turn onto Waitōtara Valley Road. Continue along this road until it becomes Taumatatahi Road. Carry on this road to the road end. The carpark is on the right just before the cattlestop.
• Rawhitiroa Road end; from State Highway 3 near Eltham turn east onto either Mangawhero Road or Anderson Road and onto Rawhitiroa Road. From the road end a formed track leads down to the Moeawatea Stream where the walking track starts on the other side. The track to the stream follows a legal road line.
• Mataimoana Road end; from State Highway 3 near Waverley, turn north onto Kohi Road, then right onto Okahutiria Road. Mataimoana carries on from Okahutiria Road. On reaching the end of Mataimoana Road both roads from here on are clay roads and are suitable for 4x4 vehicles only. Moeawatea Road is closed during the winter months. The hunting block can be accessed in a few spots from both the roads.

Note: Puniwhakau Track reopened: the track is open but care should be taken. Track markers are in place and windfalls have been removed.

Map information

NZTopo50 BJ31 and BK31

Dogs

A separate permit is required to hunt with dogs. All dogs must be avian avoidance certified. Contact the local DOC office for details.

Huts

Trains Hut

Additional information

There is a maintained track to Trains Hut and the area has low visitor usage.