Te Puia Hut (Lodge)
Serviced hutKaweka Forest Park, Hawke's BayOpen
Current advisories
Te Puia Track huts and campsites open for bookings
28 September 2026
Huts and campsites on the Te Puia Track are bookable only. First published on 27 August 2026. Last reviewed on 29 September 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 24 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $10
- 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.nzMakahu Road is 75 km north-west of Napier. From Napier follow Puketitiri Road for 40 km before turning right into Pakaututu Road. Makahu Road is 9 km on the left.
At the very end of the road, 500 metres from the Mangatutu Hot Springs and camping area, is "The Gums" parking area and shelter. The tracks to Te Puia Lodge and Mangatainoka Hot Springs begin here.
The trip involves about 1 hr of travel on unsealed gravel roads. There is a river ford on Makahu Road 7.5 km from the road end – heavy rain and snow melt can affect the water level.
Makahu Road is steep and narrow in places. It may be slippery when wet. Take extra caution driving this road.
The road is not suitable for caravans or campervans.
Check with Hasting's District Council for road closures.
We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BH37
- Grid reference
- E1894574, N5658562
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. 39.17238° S, 176.40977° E
About this place
Te Puia Hut provides a great overnight tramp for families with children or new trampers.
On the way here
Te Puia Hut Track and Mangatainoka Hot Springs · 1–2 days
Makahu Road to Te Puia Hut (Lodge)
Time: 2–3 hr
From the end of Makahu Road a track leads up the true right of the Mohaka River to Te Puia Hut.
Te Puia Hut (Lodge) to Mangatainoka Hot Springs
Time: 45 min
From Te Puia Hut the track continues up river, past the turnoff to Makino Hut , and crosses a bridge over the Makino River just above its confluence with the Mohaka River. The track then continues alongside the Mohaka, through native bush with some rolling terrain. Steep drop-offs in some sections lend nice views of the surrounding foothills. There is a final steep descent to reach the hot springs. At the hot springs, there are 3 pools surrounded by a decking area. These pools have valves to control water flow and to empty the tubs. The hot springs are on a small manuka terrace beside the Mohaka River. The Mangatainoka Hot Springs Campsite is adjacent to the pools. If you wish to travel up the river from the hot springs, it's private land and prior permission from the landowner is required.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Camping
DOC Campsite Pass
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027. If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked. No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking. Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee. Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain. Book Te Puia Hut (Lodge) online
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Mangatainoka Campsite
Backcountry • Hawke's Bay • 1.8 km
Mangatainoka Campsite is a popular campsite located beside the Mohaka River and the Mangatainoka Hot Pools in Hawke's Bay.
Water from stream • Toilets - non-flush • Toilets
Mangatainoka Hot Springs
Hawke's Bay • 1.3 km
Mangatainoka Hot Springs is a campsite located in Hawke's Bay. The site is named for the natural geothermal features found in the area.
Makino Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 1.9 km
Makino Hut is located in the north-eastern Kaweka Forest Park within Hawke's Bay. The hut sits on a flat, sheltered site where open manuka and kanuka meet red…
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Upper Mohaka Hut
Hawke's Bay • 3.6 km
Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite
Basic • Hawke's Bay • 4.2 km
Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite is a popular spot for camping, picnics, and fishing in Hawke's Bay. It serves as a starting point for tramping, hunting, or day…
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from stream • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Makahu Road Circuit (via Makino Hut and Te Puia Lodge)
Advanced • 6-7 hrs • 2.22 km away
Makino Track (Makahu Road to Makino Hut)
Advanced • 2-3 hrs • 5.5 km • 3.18 km away
Middle Hill Track (Makahu Road to Middle Hill Hut)
Advanced • 2-3 hrs • 4.8 km • 5.35 km away
Makahu Road to Makahu Saddle (via Middle Hill Hut and Kaweka Flats)
Advanced • 5.5-7.5 hrs • 12.9 km • 6.4 km away
Dons Stream Walk
Advanced • 1 hr return • 12.91 km away
Contact
DOC Customer Service Centre
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- 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).
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.