Te Rereatukaiha Hut is in the Kaimai Range and on the main North South track

You can walk the complete loop walk in a day, but it’s a big day, so leave early. However, if it’s been raining you’ll probably have to turn back at the hut as the stream will be too deep to cross. Driving time to the start of the track will take you approximately 40 minutes from downtown Tauranga.

Or make an overnight stay at Te Rereatukaiha hut, it’s in really good shape, nice and clean with 12 bunks to choose from. You’ll need to book beforehand on the DOC site here.

This walk uses the same Tuahu Summit Track to the top. It’s an excellent walk too if you’re on more limited time.

Update: Te Rereatukaiha Hut is currently closed due to kauri disease protection.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Hot Springs Rd near Katikati, North Island, NZ
  • Distance: 13 km
  • Time needed: 5 hours at a good pace, no stops
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: Round Trip
  • Elevation: 630m
  • Wet Feet: Yes
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: Not allowed
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes

Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

When you get a clear fine day you can see Tauranga to the south. This walk is only a short 27 Km drive from Tauranga

Track Quality

The Tuahu Track is an old six foot wide track with a couple of clay patches and the odd slip to cross. After 25 minutes into the walk you will have to cross the Te Rereatukahia Stream. On a good day you can rock hop across with out getting your feet wet.

Hazards

The first and last river crossing can be dangerous after or during heavy rain. It can be very cold and windy on the top of the main ridge.

Transport

You'll have to drive yourself to the carpark at the end of Hot Springs Rd. Be very careful not to leave anything on the seats or your car might get broken into. Not sure if I would leave it there overnight either. If you plan to stay at the hut, get someone to drop you off and pick you up or stay at the Hot Springs Campground and walk there and back. It's not too far.

Water

Plenty of fresh water from the side creeks. There are toilets at the carpark and also Te Rereatukaiha Hut.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

The small town of Katikati is 8 Km to the North with a couple of cafes.

Area & Trail History

Around 1890 Tuahu Track was an old Maori bridle track running from the Bay of Plenty up and over the Kaimai Rangers to the mighty Waikato.

The Kaimai Rangers have an area of 37,000 ha of native bush not forgetting the huge kauri trees.

As for the bird life, you might see a few Fantail, Robin, Tom Tit, Pigeon or Tui.
The mighty Kauri tree you walk past on your way to the top is also known as Tuahu.

There are stories of families who would ride over the Tuahu Track from Te Aroha just to ride in the events in the Katikati AMP show. They were the Duncans, Halls and Thompsons. They arrived on Friday afternoon, rode all day in the AMP show on Saturday, and then danced the night away after the trophies were presented. No doubt they downed a few bottles of homebrew and then rode home Sunday afternoon with a splitting head!

Map Location and track

Descrpition of the full walk

Hot springs Road Car Park
Sandra standing on the very nice wide track

Start on the Tuahu Walkway

The start of the Tuahu Walkway is a 5.5km drive to the end of Hot Springs Road, and a total of 8km south of Katikati. There is plenty of room to park the car.

North South Track Turn off
No wet feet today over the Te Rereatukahia Stream
Young Rimu Trees
Sandra at the turnoff at the North South TrackTe Rereatukaiha Hut

Walking to the North South Track

You should reach the North South Track in around 1 hour 50 minutes. Hopefully, you have chosen a nice fine day with no rain for an easy rock hop across the Rereatukahia Stream. 

You can see from the photo of me on the log that the stream was very low and easy to cross on my walk. The water here is crystal clear. Not sure if I’d be keen enough to drink it though.

Looking North along the Kaimai Range
Te Rereatukaiha Hut Track
Te Rereatukaiha Hut Track
Looking North along the Kaimai Range
Looking South along the Kaimai range

Arriving at Te Rereatukaiha Hut

Now the fun starts. When you meet up with the North South track turn to the left.

North South track sign to Rereatukaiha Hut
North South track sign to Rereatukaiha Hut

From here, there will be a few small ups and downs and the bush starts to close in. 10 minutes into the walk you will come across two clearings, give the first one a miss and walk on to the second clearing.

This is a good spot to stop for a break and enjoy the view of the mighty Waikato to the West and Te Aroha to the North.

View at the second clearing on the Tuhua Track to Te Rereatukaiha hut
View at the second clearing on the Tuhua Track to Te Rereatukaiha hut

The clearing is all that is left of the early days of farming. You will see the old fence line as you walk to the Rereatukaiha Hut. North of the clearings the track will close in and will be quite rough.

Flat track just before the hut
Flat track just before the hut

20 minutes before the hut you will walk along a flat area. This section will be very deep in mud after a good day of heavy rain, I give this section two to three days to dry out before going on this walk.


The last 5 minutes are very rutted out and slippery so take it easy. 20m before the hut on your left is the continuation of the track, otherwise, it is a good walk with good views looking north, south, east and west on a fine day.

The Hut has always been in a clean and tidy state on my run around the track.

Sandra on the track just before arriving at the hut
Sandra sitting admiring the view
Te Rereatukaiha Hut taken from the front as you arrive
New fire box inside the Te Rereatukaiha hut

Watch out for the river Crossing

This is where my light pair of rugby boots pay off, they give me a very good grip on the steep descents.

20m from the hut take the turnoff on your right. The first 100m can be boggy. Then there is a short drop down into the bush, then you are on your way downhill most of the time.

There are two hills to climb and a track on your left that will run you out to Waitawheta Road, give this track a miss.

The last descent is very interesting, it is steep and slippery after rain but you will pass through two good groves of Kauri trees, if you can stop your fast descent here, have a look around.

One more river to cross ten minutes from the car park. You will get your boots wet on a good day but on a rainy day, I WOULD GIVE THIS CROSSING A MISS IF YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN, you will get more than your boots wet.

When you reach the road turn to your right the car is only five minutes away.

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