Wairoa shelter renovation
Volunteers from the Katikati Tramping Club (KKTC) and Kaimai Ridgeway Trust (KRT) spent several days over the past month renovating the Wairoa Shelter.
It is east of the Lindemann Loop Track in the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, about two hours walk from the end of Lindemann Road.
The old shelter had a rusty iron roof, tumbledown ponga walls, an earth floor and poor drainage. However, the support structure and rafters were sound.
The shelter now has Coloursteel walls and roof, a gravel floor, polycarbonate windows and a seat constructed from leftover timber. Drainage has been improved, the helicopter landing point levelled, and nearly 60 metres of boardwalk placed on muddy parts of the track approaching and leaving the shelter.
The volunteers who assisted from the Katikati Tramping Club were Laraine Hughes, David Vickers, Peter Williams, Brett Wisheart and Brian Haworth. Ian Newman, also a member of the club and a KRT Trustee, managed the project.
The building materials and volunteers were flown in by helicopter, and the volunteers either walked out the same day or stayed overnight.
KRT volunteers assist the Department of Conservation in maintaining the Kaimai backcountry tracks (180km) and huts (7). Volunteers belong to a network that includes NZ Deerstalkers branches, tramping clubs, and individuals. They also deliver small projects such as the Wairoa Shelter renovation.
Funding is provided from hut fees from Te Rereatukahia Hut (managed by KRT) and Te Whare Okioki (built and managed by KRT), the Backcountry Trust, other organisations and public donations, see www.sporty.co.nz/kaimaicommunity
If you are able to assist KRT with projects, track or hut maintenance or via a donation, please email kaimairidgeway@gmail.com