Field Hut
Standard hutŌtaki Forks area, WellingtonOpen
Current advisories
Predator control for part of Tararua Forest Park
02 June 2026
We distributed toxic bait pellets containing 1080 by helicopter on 19 May 2026. A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080 . This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species. First published on 2 May 2026. Last reviewed on 3 June 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 20 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Cost
- from $15
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzField Hut is best accessed via Ōtaki Forks.
Ōtaki Forks is 19 km inland from Ōtaki township – approximately 1 hr 30 min drive from Wellington or Palmerston North. The easiest turnoff from SH1 is at Ōtaki Gorge Road, just south of the SH1 bridge over the Ōtaki River.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BP33
- Grid reference
- E1789982, N5468984
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 40.90781° S, 175.25621° E
About this place
This is a standard 20-bunk hut in the Kapiti region. Field hut was one of the first purpose built tramping huts in the country, and is the oldest surviving recreational hut in the Tararua Ranges.
On the way here
Field Hut and Table Top · 6–7 hr return
From the Ōtaki Forks car park, Field Track crosses the Waiotauru footbridge and climbs steadily through rather sombre kamahi and beech forest for 3–4 hr to the historic Field Hut at 900 m, not far below the bushline.
The trip back from Field Hut to Ōtaki Forks is 3 hr, and the return trip can be completed in 6–7 hr.
Tararua Southern Crossing · 3 days
Otaki Forks – Field Hut
Time: 3–4 hr
km From the car park next to the caretaker’s house, follow the marked track through the trees to the swing bridge over the Waiotauru River. Cross the bridge onto a grass terrace and follow a track towards Judd Ridge climbing up into bush. It is a climb from 150 m all the way to Field Hut, which appears in a small clearing below the bushline at 835 m. Depending on the start time and length of daylight hours, Field Hut may be a better overnight option for the first day than Kime Hut.
Field Hut – Kime Hut
Time: 3–4 hr
km Continue the climb from Field Hut beyond the bushline into Table Top alpine tussock. Pass the signposted junction to Penn Creek Hut and another junction to Maungahuka Hut. Follow the signposted route to Kime Hut at 1,405 m. A mobile phone signal is usually available along the ridge line near Kime Hut.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
2 options · 1 to 3 nights
Otaki Forks
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
4 hr to Otaki Forks
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
19 hr to Kaitoke (via Kime Hut, Alpha Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put these 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. Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Banfield Hut
Canterbury • 436.6 km
Banfield Hut is a backcountry shelter located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. It provides basic accommodation for hikers and trappers in the area.
Kime Hut
Standard • 20 bunks • Wellington • 4.1 km
Kime Hut is a standard 20-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region. It serves as a shelter on the Southern Crossing trail.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Alpha Hut
Standard • 20 bunks • Wellington • 8.9 km
Alpha Hut is a standard 20-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Kaitoke Regional Park Campground
Wellington • 18.3 km
Kaitoke Regional Park Campground is a campsite located in the Wellington region. It is situated within the Kaitoke Regional Park, offering a base for visitors…
Walks nearby
Contact
Wellington/Kapiti information
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
Closed, moved, wrong facts, or something we have missed? Travellers keep the Road Guide up to date. Tell us what you found at contribute@parkup.nz and we will check it and add it.
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A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).