Big ups for do-ups of forest park huts
Keen to work together and strengthen their relationship, the New Zealand Defence Force and Department of Conservation have been working together on backcountry projects in the Ruahine Forest Park.
The 12-bunk Daphne Hut on the eastern side of the Ruahine Forest Park, has received a much needed ‘do-up’ by NZDF.
DOC says Daphne Hut is in a key location for multi-day tramps though recorded bed nights have been declining in recent years.
A few years ago DOC inspectors identified that the roof and floor were deteriorating but there weren’t funds for replacement.
As luck would have it, in October NZDF was looking for a project to fill a gap in the training schedule for army tradesmen. The Daphne Hut re-roof and renovations project was just the ticket.
The army’s 2nd engineer regiment support tradesmen replaced the roof with Colorsteel iron, laid new flooring, added decking under the right wing of the hut, built steps, improved the bunks and repaired interior water damage above the fire place. DOC Manawatu¯ senior ranger recreation/historic Shaun Ruddle says DOC and NZDF working together on backcountry projects is a big win for everyone.
“The work at Daphne Hut — which was completed to a high standard — would not have happened this year without the NZDF. The project provided a great training opportunity for the NZ Army’s 25 engineer support squadron. And the result is a better, safer hut for visitors. Everyone benefits. It’s big ups for the do-up.”