Waitewaewae 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
- 16 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.nzThe hut is best accessed from the western side of the Tararua Forest Park via the Otaki Forks entrance.
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
- E1794459, N5477450
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. 40.83098° S, 175.30621° E

About this place
This is a standard 16-bunk hut in the Kapiti region.
Know before you go
Weather forecast
Waitewaewae Hut weather forecast – NIWA website
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 Te Araroa – The Trail Pass Te Araroa Trail Pass
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Anderson Memorial Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Wellington • 4.5 km
Anderson Memorial Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Kapiti region of Wellington.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Island Forks (Biodiversity) Hut
2 bunks • Wellington • 4.8 km
Jacs Biv
Wellington • 6 km
Nichols Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Wellington • 6.3 km
Nichols Hut is a standard six-bunk hut in the Wairarapa region of Wellington.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Otaki Hut
2 bunks • Wellington • 7.4 km
Otaki Hut is a mountain hut located in the Wellington region. It provides basic accommodation for tramping and hiking groups in the area.
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.
Ask us to take this down
A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
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).




