Haupiri-Waikiti hunting

Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year, and hunting during the spring and the roar is popular. Chamois can be found in alpine areas. Possums are regularly controlled by AHB throughout the lower parts of the area.

General information

This area covers the catchments of the Haupiri and Waikiti Rivers and the smaller Crane Creek. These rivers flow into the upper Ahaura River. There are areas of open tops to about 1500 m altitude in the main valleys.

Vegetation is mainly beech/podocarp forest at lower altitude with some cutover logged areas, forested valleys and large areas of tussock tops. The Waikiti Valley and Crane Creek have few clearings but there are large open river flats in the Haupiri.

Access

Turn off SH7 at Ngahere and travel 34 km towards Kopara. Access to the Haupiri is off the end of Wallace Road, which is on the right immediately as you cross the Haupiri River bridge a few kilometres before Kopara is reached. Parts of this road cross private land and permission should be sought from the Gloriavale Christian Community.

It is another 14 km along the Kopara Road to the start of Waikiti River track. It is no longer necessary to obtain permission from Waikiti Downs farm to get access to the track.

Travel up the Haupiri is straightforward by following the river flats and crossing the river where necessary.

To access the Waikiti drive up the Haupiri road and cross the bridge. The track is signposted but it is an unmarked route after the swing bridge.

Travel up Crane Creek to Rochfort basin via an old route, previously used by the NZDA and not maintained since Crane Creek Hut burnt down. It is then possible to camp out on the tops, then drop over through to Waikiti Hut.

Landholders

Gloriavale Christian Community: ph: +64 3 738 0224

Maps

NZTopo50 BU21

Dogs

Dogs are prohibited except where authorisation has been granted by DOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area must seek authorisation from the DOC office.

Huts

There are several huts in these valleys:

• Elizabeth Hut is a standard 6 bunk hut.
• Cone Creek Hut is a basic 6 bunk hut. There is no track to Cone Creek Hut.
• Waikiti Hut is a basic 6 bunk hut.

Note that the Crane Creek Hut shown on the old K32 map is no longer there.