Tutuwai Hut
Standard hutTararua Forest Park, WellingtonOpen
Current advisories
Predator control for Southern Tararuas
20 May 2026
DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter in this area on 11 and 23 March 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 . View the distribution map (PDF, 2749K) . View the pesticide summary map First published on 3 March 2026. Last reviewed on 21 May 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.nzTutuwai is a popular hut on the Holdsworth - Kaitoke Track and can be reached from either Waiohine or Marchant Roads.
Be aware access is no longer available from Waiohine Valley Road via Reeves Track.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BP33
- Grid reference
- E1795505, N5457535
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. 41.01015° S, 175.32507° E
About this place
This is a 20-bunk hut in the Tauwharenīkau Valley. The hut can be accessed from either Waiohine Gorge roadend in Wairarapa or Kaitoke/Marchant Roads north of Upper Hutt.
On the way here
Holdsworth - Kaitoke Track · 2–3 days
Day two: Totara Flats Hut – Tutuwai Hut
Time: 6 hr
From Totara Flats Hut, the track continues down the Waiohine River river and across Totara flats. Before reaching a high bluff, the track swings away from the river. It climbs steeply up onto a high riverbank and then continues downstream. The track soon reaches a large slip. The only option for passing the slip is to walk downstream on the riverbank to Makaka Creek. This is only possible when the river is low; if in doubt, take the all-weather track. Cross the Makaka Creek bridge and climb up the bank to the marked junction. This is where the Cone Saddle Track separates from the Lower Waiohine Track. Turn right onto the Cone Saddle Track at the junction and climb steadily up a spur to the ridge top. From here the track sidles into Clem Creek and climbs to Cone Saddle. Descend the track to Cone Hut in the Tauwharenīkau Valley. Expect to encounter stream crossings, muddy sections and fallen trees on the Cone Saddle Track. The track can be narrow and indistinct in places, so keep a close eye on the orange markers. Allow plenty of time for this section. From Cone Hut follow the track down the Tauwharenīkau river valley. The track passes through muddy terraces and grassy flats. There are regular crossings of small side streams. Tutuwai Hut is about 1 hr walk from Cone Hut. There are grassy areas near Tutuwai Hut that are good camping sites. Campers who use hut facilities are required to pay one hut ticket
Day three: Tutuwai Hut – Kaitoke Roadend
Time: 7–8 hr
From Tutuwai Hut continue on the track down the true left of the Tauwharenīkau River, crossing grass flats and bush terraces and passing low wide slips. Slips and washouts along this section of the track have caused the terrain in some areas to become steep, narrow and slippery – the slips can be difficult to negotiate. Caution is required. The track then crosses the Tauwharenīkau River on a swing bridge. Continue following the track downstream. It crosses several unbridged side streams. Take care and cross with caution, especially if the stream levels are up or if it is raining. After crossing grassy river flats, Smith Creek shelter is reached. The shelter is not suitable for overnight stays. The track from here follows Smith Creek upstream along the Dobson Loop Track, crossing more unbridged side streams. Beyond Smith Creek, expect to encounter small slips, stream crossings, muddy and slippery sections and windfalls across the track. The track becomes Puffer Track and leaves Smith Creek. It climbs to Puffer Saddle and down to the Kaitoke road end carpark, located along Kiwi Ranch Road.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
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.
Nearby stops
Cone Hut
Basic/bivvies • 6 bunks • Wellington • 3 km
Cone Hut is a basic six-bunk hut in the Wairarapa region. It is the second oldest hut in the Tararuas.
Heating • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Totara Flats Hut
Serviced • 26 bunks • Wellington • 10.8 km
Totara Flats Hut is a hut located in the Wairarapa region. It is suitable for an overnight stay in the Waiohine Valley.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Alpha Hut
Standard • 20 bunks • Wellington • 4.5 km
Alpha Hut is a standard 20-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Eastern Hutt Hut
Wellington • 5.4 km
Eastern Hutt Hut is a backcountry hut located in the Wellington region. It provides basic shelter for hikers traversing the local tracks.
Waiohine Gorge Campsite
Standard • Wellington • 5.7 km
Waiohine Gorge Campsite is a secluded campsite located at the head of two gorges above the Waiohine River in the Wairarapa region. The area is popular for…
Non-powered/tent sites • Toilets - flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Walks nearby
Tararua Southern Crossing
Advanced • 3 days • 5.26 km away
Cone Ridge Tracks
Advanced • 6.04 km away
Neill Winchcombe Circuit
Advanced • 3 days • 7.04 km away
Lower Waiohine Track
Intermediate • 4 hr and 30 min • 8.7 km • 7.26 km away
Dobson Loop Track
Easy • 5.5 hr (return to Smith Creek Shelter) • 13 km (return to Smith Creek Shelter). 11.5 km (Dobson loop) • 8.23 km away
Contact
Wellington/Kapiti information
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.
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- 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).