Gosh thoses huts are luxurious aren't they - glamping.
In 2022 - under cover of 'no one cared after Covid' there was some kind of black hawk DOC sweep on the back country huts of the Urewera forests. Yes they were rustic, long-drops and rails over potbellies to dry your socks - but once the rat droppings are cleared away and the mattresses aired a bit these huts are stunning places to be eaten alive by mozzies and/or start (or end) a love story. Definitely no electircity - at least not that kind - just mesmerizing views and the kind of green that that makes you weep.
29 huts are ashes There was a court order to hold the demolition of about 20 more. Of course there was been no consultation with Tūhoe - or recognition of their whakapapa.. I don't think theres been any resolution - so those 20 are likely to be still there.
It's a stunning place Dan - don't leave Aoteaora without seeing Te Urewera
It's Tūhoe - and it was the post-settlement entity (and DOC) that did the burning - Wharenui Tuna of Tūhoe (Te Whakatane hapū) obtained an interim injunction to prevent further acts of arson in November 2022 - but it's a very remote area and further burning continued. The court said the board and DOC acted unlawfully and described DOC's actions as "a striking example of reviewable error on behalf of the director-general" It's a beautifully unique and spiritual place - there are plenty of other destinations for glampers - or they can stick to the lake track.
You’re right, Tūhoe, thanks autocorrect and I have also now discovered how to add the extra bits on my iPad.
But back to the point - telling half truths does not make them true. The decision to destroy the huts was purely down to the Tūhoe management entity, DOC were found to have been complicit in the action because they had not followed up on / enforced the management entity to publish a management plan.
Complicit is not the same as responsible.
Has anything ever become of the promised replacements?
I knew nothing about this story. Thanks to you both good folks for teaching me and bringing it to light, and haggling it out so respectfully!
Through American eyes this looks like the 'wilderness' dilemma. Back in America we cleared Yosemite of Native American settlement to make it pure and empty and 'wild.' This is lie, of course. But on the other end at some point one can't keep all the hunting camps that pop up in a protected area, or else it's no longer protected, no? No idea where the line is myself. I admire NZ for a hut system that is less 'wild' and more collectively usuable than anything we've got!
NZ is mostly less wild now, aand possibly more dangerous. But I deeply agree, accessibility is a wonderful thing. But us colonialists have a lot to answer for and we never let others tell us what that 'lot' actually is. There was also a wonderful triptych by Colin McCahon with an even more fraught history. It hung on the wall of the old DOC information centre in Aniwaniwa, Te Urewera. Like the VUW,and other university art collections once were - it was just hanging on a nail.
Dunno but as the judicial review actually used the term 'unlawful' while referring to the Te Uru Taumatua (the post-settlement governance entity) and DOC's actions I'd say it was unlikely. But hey - failure to consult, complicit? abetting? unintended consequences? are terms that don't really matter to people on the receiving end. I imagine there is not much funding going into that part of the conservation sector at the mo.
I’m not a fan of tramping, or walking uphill. Or carrying heavy bags. The only time I’ve stayed in huts was on the Abel Tasman walk. The first night was ok, the second night a bloke put his hand in my friends sleeping bag, so we got up and went out and pitched our tent. I have many relatives and friends who live tramping, and huts. I prefer motels.
Oh Lucy, that's awful! I'm sorry that happened to you. Thanks for sharing. It's a great counter balance to me going on about how amazing huts are. Creeps can indeed show up anywhere, and I can only imagine how awful it would to feel unsafe with nowhere else to go. Motels are nice too :)
Re Note 1: I'm your friend. And you get it. I was like, "OK, sure, no lights." until you said "Electric lights in hut are swimsuits in a sauna," and now I think all electricity should be banned. Re Note 2: It doesn't matter, public or private, I don't think: Movie theaters are nice, Netflix is convenient, but it's the film that's the experience you're after. Speaking of: Have you seen Loop Track? This reminded me of that. It's a comedy, no joke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvJ9pzxJjFM
Loop Track looks awesome, and the preview is full of scenes in unlit huts!! A Kiwi Blair Witch Project, kind of?? On films: it's the experience...but the experience is watching with strangers, right? This is what we lose when the theater goes away. We can always watch alone or with loved ones. A parallel here to the huts. I think a lot of Americans would like, ick, i have to spend the night with snoring strangers? Why? Isn't there an upgrade I can pay for??
Th electricity thing, man, I don't know. It's a longggggg spectrum but does love of hut dark end and say, Pol Pot begin? There are gentle and not so gentle reactionary types on here preaching a back to the land vibe I love right up until it starts to get weird. Paul Kingsnorth didn't lose me when he replaced his home toilet with a compost model, but it wasn't long after he converted to Russian Orthdodox and started apologizing for Putin??
For good Kiwi darkness love check out my Substack friend Rosie Whinray of the Welly South Coast, who's got the same vibes this week--
I think I've maybe only had a camaraderie feeling in a movie theatre once or twice? Sorta like on an airplane sometimes, when you've been waiting 6 hours, or the pilot puts it down in a lightning storm and everyone applauds. Otherwise: strangers. And I don't mind them in the hut. Like the lights. But I understand what you're saying. It's maybe also: the hut is not the thing for me, but I am ON BOARD WITH THE DARKNESS. Love NZ for the dark sky reserves. You have probably been to McDonald observatory. I think that was my first.
Strangers are the point! Not even camaraderie. Just body heat that maybe laughs when you do. Amen for darkness. Yes, been up to McDonald but never did an actual star party! Here in the 'rapa the winter nights are epic. A big bad Milky Way up there tonight
I've never stayed in a DOC hut and now I really want to - not because of the lights because of your description. I'd prefer the lamp and candlelight but having an outside light to guide me to and from the longdrop would be comforting.
Oh you totally should. I adore the hut experience. Because it scans as very 'kiwi,' sure, but also because it's just good for the dang soul. A weekend in the bush clears out months of blues. It's so pretty out there, of course, and the hut is just a calming anchor. And I totally use my phone to walk to the longdrop at night.
Gosh thoses huts are luxurious aren't they - glamping.
In 2022 - under cover of 'no one cared after Covid' there was some kind of black hawk DOC sweep on the back country huts of the Urewera forests. Yes they were rustic, long-drops and rails over potbellies to dry your socks - but once the rat droppings are cleared away and the mattresses aired a bit these huts are stunning places to be eaten alive by mozzies and/or start (or end) a love story. Definitely no electircity - at least not that kind - just mesmerizing views and the kind of green that that makes you weep.
29 huts are ashes There was a court order to hold the demolition of about 20 more. Of course there was been no consultation with Tūhoe - or recognition of their whakapapa.. I don't think theres been any resolution - so those 20 are likely to be still there.
It's a stunning place Dan - don't leave Aoteaora without seeing Te Urewera
This was news to me! And you're right, I need to get up there. Te Urewera is a corner of NZ I have never seen!
And pity the love stories that *end* at a hut. A long walk out from the fight, no?? :)
That would be a real drawback but even worse (from my perspective) might be no one volunteering to take all the heavy stuff in their pack :-).
Ummm, wasn’t it Tahoe that burned them down?
It's Tūhoe - and it was the post-settlement entity (and DOC) that did the burning - Wharenui Tuna of Tūhoe (Te Whakatane hapū) obtained an interim injunction to prevent further acts of arson in November 2022 - but it's a very remote area and further burning continued. The court said the board and DOC acted unlawfully and described DOC's actions as "a striking example of reviewable error on behalf of the director-general" It's a beautifully unique and spiritual place - there are plenty of other destinations for glampers - or they can stick to the lake track.
You’re right, Tūhoe, thanks autocorrect and I have also now discovered how to add the extra bits on my iPad.
But back to the point - telling half truths does not make them true. The decision to destroy the huts was purely down to the Tūhoe management entity, DOC were found to have been complicit in the action because they had not followed up on / enforced the management entity to publish a management plan.
Complicit is not the same as responsible.
Has anything ever become of the promised replacements?
I knew nothing about this story. Thanks to you both good folks for teaching me and bringing it to light, and haggling it out so respectfully!
Through American eyes this looks like the 'wilderness' dilemma. Back in America we cleared Yosemite of Native American settlement to make it pure and empty and 'wild.' This is lie, of course. But on the other end at some point one can't keep all the hunting camps that pop up in a protected area, or else it's no longer protected, no? No idea where the line is myself. I admire NZ for a hut system that is less 'wild' and more collectively usuable than anything we've got!
NZ is mostly less wild now, aand possibly more dangerous. But I deeply agree, accessibility is a wonderful thing. But us colonialists have a lot to answer for and we never let others tell us what that 'lot' actually is. There was also a wonderful triptych by Colin McCahon with an even more fraught history. It hung on the wall of the old DOC information centre in Aniwaniwa, Te Urewera. Like the VUW,and other university art collections once were - it was just hanging on a nail.
Dunno but as the judicial review actually used the term 'unlawful' while referring to the Te Uru Taumatua (the post-settlement governance entity) and DOC's actions I'd say it was unlikely. But hey - failure to consult, complicit? abetting? unintended consequences? are terms that don't really matter to people on the receiving end. I imagine there is not much funding going into that part of the conservation sector at the mo.
I’m not a fan of tramping, or walking uphill. Or carrying heavy bags. The only time I’ve stayed in huts was on the Abel Tasman walk. The first night was ok, the second night a bloke put his hand in my friends sleeping bag, so we got up and went out and pitched our tent. I have many relatives and friends who live tramping, and huts. I prefer motels.
Oh Lucy, that's awful! I'm sorry that happened to you. Thanks for sharing. It's a great counter balance to me going on about how amazing huts are. Creeps can indeed show up anywhere, and I can only imagine how awful it would to feel unsafe with nowhere else to go. Motels are nice too :)
Re Note 1: I'm your friend. And you get it. I was like, "OK, sure, no lights." until you said "Electric lights in hut are swimsuits in a sauna," and now I think all electricity should be banned. Re Note 2: It doesn't matter, public or private, I don't think: Movie theaters are nice, Netflix is convenient, but it's the film that's the experience you're after. Speaking of: Have you seen Loop Track? This reminded me of that. It's a comedy, no joke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvJ9pzxJjFM
Loop Track looks awesome, and the preview is full of scenes in unlit huts!! A Kiwi Blair Witch Project, kind of?? On films: it's the experience...but the experience is watching with strangers, right? This is what we lose when the theater goes away. We can always watch alone or with loved ones. A parallel here to the huts. I think a lot of Americans would like, ick, i have to spend the night with snoring strangers? Why? Isn't there an upgrade I can pay for??
Th electricity thing, man, I don't know. It's a longggggg spectrum but does love of hut dark end and say, Pol Pot begin? There are gentle and not so gentle reactionary types on here preaching a back to the land vibe I love right up until it starts to get weird. Paul Kingsnorth didn't lose me when he replaced his home toilet with a compost model, but it wasn't long after he converted to Russian Orthdodox and started apologizing for Putin??
For good Kiwi darkness love check out my Substack friend Rosie Whinray of the Welly South Coast, who's got the same vibes this week--
https://rosiewhinray.substack.com/p/darknesses-nightself
I think I've maybe only had a camaraderie feeling in a movie theatre once or twice? Sorta like on an airplane sometimes, when you've been waiting 6 hours, or the pilot puts it down in a lightning storm and everyone applauds. Otherwise: strangers. And I don't mind them in the hut. Like the lights. But I understand what you're saying. It's maybe also: the hut is not the thing for me, but I am ON BOARD WITH THE DARKNESS. Love NZ for the dark sky reserves. You have probably been to McDonald observatory. I think that was my first.
Strangers are the point! Not even camaraderie. Just body heat that maybe laughs when you do. Amen for darkness. Yes, been up to McDonald but never did an actual star party! Here in the 'rapa the winter nights are epic. A big bad Milky Way up there tonight
I've never stayed in a DOC hut and now I really want to - not because of the lights because of your description. I'd prefer the lamp and candlelight but having an outside light to guide me to and from the longdrop would be comforting.
Oh you totally should. I adore the hut experience. Because it scans as very 'kiwi,' sure, but also because it's just good for the dang soul. A weekend in the bush clears out months of blues. It's so pretty out there, of course, and the hut is just a calming anchor. And I totally use my phone to walk to the longdrop at night.
“swimsuits in the sauna” = brilliant
Once I saw it I couldn't unsee it! Also it's getting cold here and I could use a sauna :)
Can I go midway and say towels in the sauna are okay? Aesthetic soft lowlight?