Waitewaewae Hut

The place

A standard 16-bunk DOC hut in the Tararua Forest Park (Wellington/Kapiti), in the Ōtaki Forks area. **Built in 1991** on the banks of the Ōtaki River, replacing an original hut from 1950 located 2 km upstream. The current site historically hosted the Whareiti bivouac (1936). Access: 6 h from Ōtaki Forks (19 km inland of Ōtaki, ~90 min drive from Wellington or Palmerston North); from Anderson Memorial Hut 4-5 h; from Nichols Hut 5 h. Rates (until 30 June 2026): NZ$10/5 adult/child via Standard Hut Ticket or Backcountry Hut Pass.