Popular hut to be demolished and rebuilt for $750,000
Saturday, 15 September 2018
The most popular hut in the Tararua Ranges is closing for six months during peak season to be demolished and rebuilt at a cost of around $750,000.
The hut on the eastern side of Tararua Forest Park is on the popular Powell-Jumbo Circuit from Holdsworth road end in Carterton, and hosts over 3000 stays a year.
Department of Conservation Wairarapa operations manager Kathy Houkamau said they understood the closure would inconvenience users but the hut needed to be replaced because of weather-tightness issues.
Powell Hut will be closed from the beginning of November until the end of April next year.
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Notices will be at all access points to the hut and information will be posted on the DOC website and visitor centres to ensure people were not caught out, Houkamau said.
'There was a huge amount of interest when we asked people last year what they wanted in a new Powell Hut with more than 800 people contributing ideas.'
Chairman of the Tararua Aorangi Rimutaka Huts Committee Nicholas Boyack said though the rebuild carried a high price tag it was money well spent given the hut's popularity and prominence.
It served DOC's purposes as a frontline hut that was easily accessible to school groups, day-trippers and backpackers while also being used by hunters and serious trampers.
The capacity will remain the same at 32 bunks, but will be more user friendly with four sleeping areas for better privacy.
An extended deck will allow users to enjoy the famous view and the new building will have a separate ventilated porch area for removing and storing boots and coats.
At 1200m and above the tree line, it was exposed to the elements and a challenging place to work, Houkamau said.
'We are taking a cautious approach and advising people that the hut will be closed for six months, but we hope to have it open ahead of schedule.'
The existing hut was built in 2000 using a solid panel construction method, as opposed to conventional timber framing with lining and cladding.
The original hut was built in 1937 by the Hutt Valley Tramping Club and named in honour of Ian Powell, a pioneering tramper within the Tararuas.
The club chose the site as there was a skifield on Mt Holdsworth at the time.
The first hut burnt down in the 1970s. It was rebuilt and lasted until the next fire in 1999.