Lake Waikaremoana

Description

Walking options

Lake Waikaremoana can be walked either from Onepoto in the south or Hopuruahine in the north. It's not a circuit track and is described here from Onepoto.

For a 3 night / 4 day trip:

• Day 1 - Onepoto to Panekire Hut
• Day 2 - Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa Hut
• Day 3 - Waiopaoa Hut to Marauiti Hut
• Day 4 - Marauiti Hut to Hopuruahine

Guided options are available.

Places to stay

There are five huts and five campsites on Lake Waikaremoana. These must be booked in advance.

Camping on the track is only permitted at the designated campsites.

Onepoto to Panekire Hut

Time: 4-6 hr
Distance: 8.8 km

This is the most strenuous part of the trip, but the views from Panekire make it worthwhile.

The track starts from the Onepoto Shelter through the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt and climbs steadily up to the top of Panekire Bluff. It then follows the undulating ridgeline before reaching Puketapu Trig (1180 metres) and onto Panekire Hut. Be prepared for low tank water levels at times during summer.

Views from Panekire on Google Street View

Panekire Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 36 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use

Bookings required

Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa Hut and Campsite

Time: 3 - 4 hr
Distance: 7.6 km

From Panekire Hut, the track heads south-west down the range to the top of the Panekire descent. From here the track drops steeply off the range into rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kamahi forest and the lake.

At the mouth of the Waiopaoa inlet is Waiopaoa Hut. The Waiopaoa Campsite is nearby.

Waiopaoa Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 30 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use

Bookings required

Waiopaoa Hut to Korokoro Campsite

Time: 1 hr 30 min
Distance: 3.6 km

Head up the Waiopaoa Stream a short distance before crossing grassy flats and heading through kanuka forest on the lake shore. Just before the Korokoro suspension bridge there is a turn-off to Korokoro Falls. Korokoro Campsite is 200 metres past the bridge and a short distance off the main track, towards the lake shore.

Side trip: Korokoro Falls

Time: 1 hr return from Korokoro Campsite

These falls are a must-see. 

Korokoro Falls on Google Street View

Korokoro Campsite to Maraunui Campsite

Time: 2 hr 30 min
Distance: 6.8 km

The track, while undulating, weaves its way through and up and over a number of small ridges, through young rimu wooded areas and along the lake edge. A short track off the main track leads to the Maraunui Campsite.

Maraunui Campsite to Marauiti Hut

Time: 30 min
Distance: 1.7 km

A brief climb over Whakaneke Ridge takes you to Marauiti Hut. This is great spot to stop for the night - at dusk you can go for a walk to the edge of the Puketukutuku Peninsula where you may hear the call of the kiwi.

Marauiti Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 26 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use

Bookings required

Marauiti Hut to Waiharuru Hut and Campsite

Time: 2 hr
Distance: 6.2 km

After crossing the bridge over the stream running into Marauiti Bay the track crosses a saddle to rejoin the shore at Te Totara Bay. The track then stays close to the shore to Waiharuru Hut and Waiharuru Campsite.

Waiharuru Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 40 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use

Bookings required

Waiharuru Hut and Campsite to Tapuaenui Campsite

Time: 1 hr 30 min 
Distance: 2.1 km

The track runs parallel to the lakeshore before rising over the neck of the Puketukutuku Peninsula, then down to the Tapuaenui Campsite on the Whanganui arm of the lake.

Tapuaenui Campsite to Whanganui Hut

Time: 1 hr
Distance: 3.2 km

From here the track follows the shore to Whanganui Hut  in a clearing alongside the Whanganui Stream.

Whanganui Hut

Category: Great Walk

Facilities: 18 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use

Bookings required

Whanganui Hut to water taxi pick-up/drop-off point and track start/end

Time: 2 hr
Distance: 4.2 km

From Whanganui Hut, the track contours above the lake shore before a climb up and over the ridgeline into the Huiarau Stream. The track then follows the grassy Hopuruahine River flats to reach the Hopuruahine suspension bridge.

Note: Water taxi pick-up/drop-off is in the vicinity of Whanganui Hut (300 m approximately east of hut on point) – lake level dependent.

Fees and bookings

Getting there

Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions. SH38 links Wairoa and the East Coast with the central North Island, and passes the lake and the Te Urewera Visitor Centre in Te Karetu (by the Waikaremoana Holiday Park).

The highway is a gravel surface for about 90 km between Murupara and Onepoto.

Walkers can travel to either end of the walk via water taxi. Book early.

Water taxi

Tūhoe offers a water taxi service to and from each end of the Great Walk, and to individual huts and campsites around the lake, out of Te Kura Whenua (Te Urewera Visitor Centre, Lake Waikaremoana).

You need to book ahead by contacting Tūhoe on:

• email teurewera@ngatituhoe.iwi.nz, or
• phone +64 6 837 3803. 

Parking 

Parking can be very busy at the Lake during the summer season.  All parking is at the owners’ risk – do not leave valuables in your cars.

Parking space is available at:

• Waikaremoana Holiday Park, near the lake side (up to 10 days free parking)
• Onepoto (at the Great Walk Trail-end car park, and near the boat ramp)
• Hopuruahine Landing (at the GW Trail-end car park, note that this car park is 2 km off the main road).
• Āniwaniwa, near the old Visitor Centre site (from this car park you can follow the Black Beech track to the Te Urewera Visitor Centre, approximately 20 mins walk).

There is free day-time parking available at Te Urewera Visitor Centre, however no multi-day parking is available to make space for other manuhiri.

Know before you go

Make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared. Your safety is your responsibility. Know the five simple rules of the Outdoor Safety Code. 

This track is not recommnded for children under age 10, because of the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather conditions. 

Lake Waikaremoana lies between altitudes of 600 and 1200 m. The weather at Lake Waikaremoana is changeable. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year, including summer. Te Urewera is a rainforest, so tracks can become muddy.

Huts on the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk don't have gas cooking facilities, lighting or toilet paper. Remember to take a portable stove and fuel, candles and toilet paper with you.

Call in at the Te Urewera Visitor Centre for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions before you leave, and fill in your itinerary in hut books as you go.

Boil, filter or chemically treat water if you doubt its purity.

Keep to the track. If you become lost, stop, find shelter, stay calm, and try to assist searchers.

What to expect

• Climb and descend about 600 m over the Panekire Ridge.
• Walk 4-6 hours a day.
• Carry a pack of up to 15 kg.

Care for nature

To the Tūhoe people, Te Urewera is not just their homeland, but also the mother of their first ancestors. The Care for Nature (Manaakitana Te Urewera) principles help visitors experience Te Urewera and the Waikaremoana Great Walk in a way that accords with her needs, and helps us all to build our connection to nature.

That means embracing experiences in nature that are beautiful and child-friendly, and caring for our wildlife and environment.

• Camping is only in approved camping areas and huts, which are alcohol-free.
• There are no rubbish facilities, so pack-in/pack-out – take anything you bring in to Te Urewera out again, avoid single use plastic and don’t litter.
• All native wildlife in Te Urewera is protected. Native plants and animals must not be disturbed, destroyed or removed. The bush is a taonga, a treasure for all.
• To protect ground-dwelling birds, no dogs or other domestic animals are permitted on the track.
• Fire is a major threat. Fires can be used for cooking or warmth, unless there is a temporary fire ban, however, a portable stove is a better option.
• If you are hunting - use firearms carefully. Always identify your target. Unload your firearm and remove the bolt before entering huts, and store ammunition and bolts separately from the firearm.
• Hunting is by permit only.

What to take

There are no rubbish facilities, so remember to care for nature and pack in/pack out anything you bring into Te Urewera.

Huts on the Great Walk don't have gas cooking facilities, lighting or toilet paper. Remember to take a portable stove and fuel, candles and toilet paper with you.

Personal equipment

• Backpack (40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking)
• Waterproof/plastic pack liner
• Sleeping bag (3–4 season)
• First aid kit (including insect repellent, sunscreen, blisterkit, personal medication, eg antihistamine for allergy towasp stings)
• Survival kit (survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, highenergy snack food)
• Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year (eg map, compass)
• Drink bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
• Eating and cooking utensils (knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup,pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel)
• Matches or lighter in waterproof container
• Toiletries
• Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
• Rubbish bag to take out litter
• Booking confirmation letter and ID
• Portable stove and fuel
• Candles
• Toilet paper
• Use a toilet when you see one and be prepared with a back-up toilet option

If you're camping

• Tent
• Sleeping mat

Optional

• Camera
• Ear plugs for communual bunkrooms

Clothing

• For multi-day walking you'll need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night. Walking boots or firm footwear (should be comfortable and well broken in)
• Socks (wool or polypropylene)
• Shorts (quick dry material)
• Shirt (wool or polypropylene)
• Under layers, top and bottom (wool or polypropylene)
• Mid-layers (wool or polar fleece)
• Raincoat (waterproof, windproof with hood)
• Overtrousers (wind and water proof)
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey

Optional

• Gaiters
• Lightweight shoes for inside the huts

Food

You can't buy food on the track.

Bring food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value. For example:

• Breakfast: cereal/porridge/oats, firm bread, honey or other spreads
• Lunch: cracker biscuits, cheese, salami, jam/jelly, fruit
• Dinner: instant soup, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze-dried) meals.

You'll also need water, snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, tea or coffee, powdered fruit drinks and emergency food in case of any delays on the track.

Nature and conservation

Natural history

Waikaremoana was formed 2,200 years ago by a huge landslide, which blocked a narrow gorge along the Waikaretaheke River.

Water backed up behind this landslide to form a lake up to 248 metres deep. The slowly rising water submerged forest that can still be seen in some parts of the lake below. The lake edge has since been modified by a hydro electric development which lowered the level by 5 metres in 1946.

The area is formed from young mudstone, siltstone and sandstone, mostly about 10-15 million years old. These sediments were originally part of the sea floor, but about two million years ago uplift brought them above sea level.

The mountains and hills of the area have been shaped by continuous erosion. Major valleys like the Āniwaniwa Valley have been carved more deeply from softer mudstones, while the more solid sandstones have tended to form ridges like Panekire.

The vegetation of the Waikaremoana area forms a protective green cloak, mantling countless ridges and valleys. There are more than 650 types of native plant in Te Urewera, some nationally rare. The vegetation pattern is ever changing - disturbances by volcanic activity, fire and storm damage, possum and deer have modified the forest in many areas. The lowering of the lake for power generation has encouraged forest regeneration along the shore.

Many birds live in the forest. Among the more notable are kereru (wood pigeon), kaka (forest parrot), kakariki (parakeet), North Island robin, New Zealand falcon and rifleman, and at night, morepork (forest owl) and North Island brown kiwi.

Grey, mallard and paradise ducks are common on the lake edge, and New Zealand scaup, kingfishers and white faced herons are found in sheltered areas.

Both of New Zealand’s rare native bat species, the long-tailed and short-tailed, are present in Te Urewera.

Deer, pigs and possums are found throughout Te Urewera. They have a major impact on the ecology of the forest and its bird life. Te Urewera Board authorises safe and responsible hunting of these animals with a permit. Get a permit online. 

Kiwi recovery work

Prior to human arrival there may have been as many as 12 million kiwi in New Zealand. The introduction of predators, eg mustelids (stoats, ferrets, weasels), dogs, cats, pigs and possums - has decimated them to a tiny proportion of the original number.

Work begun in 1991 by Landcare Research NZ into kiwi decline in the area identified that predation of kiwi chicks by stoats was the main cause. DOC and hapū, and then the Lake Waikaremoana Hapū Restoration Trust formed a partnership to halt the decline of kiwi at Waikaremoana. Tūhoe now runs the programme.

The focus was initially on the Puketukutuku Peninsula. Traps were laid to kill stoats, the main threat to kiwi chicks, kiwi numbers and movement are also monitored. Possum and rat trapping complements the programme.

In 2014 the peninsula reached carrying capacity with around 200 adults, and so in 2015 a further fenced sanctuary was created by Tūhoe on Whareama peninsula. The intention is to repopulate the sanctuary with Kiwi juveniles from Puketukuku.

Kiwi numbers are increasing in the area and visitors may hear their calls at night. Only continued intensive predator control will ensure a kiwi population recovery.

History and culture

The home of Tūhoe

Waikaremoana sits within the Te Urewera ranges, the homeland of the Tūhoe people (Nā Tamariki o te Kohu, the “children of the mist”).

Tūhoe wardens are stationed at Great Walk huts during peak season to welcome manuhiri (guests) to their home, and can share stories and information.

History

Tūhoe see Te Urewera as their ancestor. Tūhoetana (Tūhoe’s culture, language, customs, and identity) is the expression of living with Te Urewera for almost a thousand years.

The New Zealand government (the Crown) invaded Te Urewera in the 1860s and 1870s. Land at Waikaremoana was confiscated, villages and food stores were burned, and many Tūhoe perished through execution or starvation.

As a peace settlement, Tūhoe were given unique self-government of Te Urewera in 1896. However, successive New Zealand governments ignored their own law, and acquired more and more land illegally.

In 1954 the Crown announced the area as a national park without consulting Tūhoe. Remaining Tūhoe territory and settlements were surrounded by the park, causing further disconnection from the land that had given Tūhoe people shelter, food and survival for centuries.

Te Urewera – legal rights for nature

In 2013 Tūhoe and the Crown (government) settled the Crown’s historical breaches against Tūhoe, agreeing a unique approach to protecting Te Urewera in a way that reflects Tūhoetana, and New Zealand culture and values.

Te Urewera’s national park status was lifted and the land was removed from Crown ownership. Te Urewera Act 2014 recognises Te Urewera as a legal identity. Uniquely, Te Urewera now owns herself, and exists for her own sake.

The purposes of Te Urewera Act are to:

• strengthen and maintain the connection between Tūhoe and Te Urewera
• preserve the natural features and beauty of Te Urewera, the integrity of its indigenous ecological systems and biodiversity, and its historical and cultural heritage
• provide for Te Urewera as a place for public use and enjoyment, for recreation, learning, and spiritual reflection, and as an inspiration for all.

Te Urewera Board, consisting of Tūhoe and Crown appointees, provides a voice for Te Urewera. The Tūhoe tribal authority, Te Uru Taumatua, provides operational management of Te Urewera and the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. The Department of Conservation provides support and assistance with former national park assets.

Contacts