2026-03-11 < Weekly activities >
Activity summary: Wednesday 2026 Mar 18 to Tuesday 2026 Mar 24
Wednesday
Ramble: Ōtari led by Margaret Foden. 6M and 1NM
The ramble group walked along to the picnic area in Ōtari, heated up some sausages on the free barbecue and enjoyed chatting in the sun. We were visited by some EM trampers who had been blown off the Skyline track. Saw a few eels in the stream.
Easy: Queen Elizabeth 2 Park led by Hadley Bond 2M
The trip went according to plan on a beautiful day. We started with the Lakes and Te Are o Tipapa tracks, leading on to the Yankee Trail. There was a climb onto the Inland Track which led to lunch at the tram beach terminal. After following north along the Te Ara o Whareroa Trail and tracks through the extensive black berry 'orchard' we cut across to the Old Farm Track, leading back to our cars. Participants were David Campbell and Hadley Bond, both club members.
Easy Medium on the easy side: Hawkins Hill led by Dave Reynolds. 9M and 1 NM
Nine members and one non-member visited Hawkins Hill in at times calm and at times gusty conditions. The 10th member, Adi, a visitor from Indonesia we met by chance at the start the trip. Adi needed directions to Red Rocks so joined the trip as far as the Red Rocks tracks. The track is being reconstructed and a significant section is officially closed.
Medium: Searching for the Whakatīkei Rata led by Alistair Beckett. 15M
Whakatīkei Rātā — The One We Didn’t Find by Alistair Beckett
Before you read on, a brief reflection that sits slightly outside the usual boundaries of a trip report. These accounts tend to catalogue distance, terrain, and views—but rarely the ethical undercurrent that can emerge afterwards. We set out in search of the Whakatīkei Rātā, co-champion largest northern rātā in Aotearoa. Through a navigational error—an inadvertent switch from a 1:50,000 map to a far less detailed 1:250,000 scale—we were led to the coordinates we believed were correct. There, we found a very large and impressive rātā. But not the one we were seeking.
At the time, it did not matter. The tree we encountered commanded its own fortified realm, defended by a dense phalanx of bush lawyer and tangled vines. Reaching it required patience and a degree of submission. It felt almost ritualistic—as if the forest itself was insisting: approach with respect, or not at all.
And yet, in the days following the tramp, I found myself reflecting on the nature of that approach. We had stepped among roots that have anchored a giant for centuries. We had, however briefly, turned such a place into a lunch spot. In the moment, it felt like connection. In hindsight, there was a hint of intrusion. Which makes the later realisation—that we had not in fact reached the Whakatīkei Rātā—feel oddly reassuring.
There is something fitting in the idea that the true co-champion remains just beyond easy reach, held within the forest’s own rhythms, not readily reduced to a destination. Not everything needs to be found to be valued. The tree we did find was magnificent—more than worthy of the journey. But perhaps it also served as a reminder: the forest does not always yield its most significant treasures on demand.
Whakatīkei Rātā Trip Report
Our search for the Whakatīkei Rātā—co-champion with the Karapoti Rātā—drew us into the Akatarawa Forest on 18 March 2026. This medium-grade tramp aimed to locate one of the largest northern rātā, estimated at over 1,000 years old. According to the NZ Tree Register, it stands 39m tall, with a girth of 15.55m and a diameter of 4.95m. We set off from the Karapoti car park at 8:30am, a party of fifteen, following the Karapoti Gorge track to McGhie’s Bridge. The route is demanding: an early stream crossing, uneven rocky ground, and—after rain—large pools and occasional slips along the bank. Despite this, the gorge is striking, with mature forest, small waterfalls, and the river close at hand.
At the bridge, we joined Hukinga Road, continuing along the forestry track to its junction with the Pram Track. Here we crossed the Akatarawa River West, paused for morning tea, and then climbed steadily through regenerating native bush over the slopes of Hill 547.
After more than two hours, we reached the location indicated by our mapping and found a substantial rātā approximately 500 metres east of the descent toward Doper’s Creek. Pushing through its natural defences, we reached the base and paused in quiet admiration. Lunch was taken there, briefly, before we withdrew the way we had come. A second, more conventional lunch followed at our earlier rest point.
Subsequent review of the route—using the correct 1:50,000 mapping—shows that while we were close, we did not reach the Whakatīkei Rātā itself, but instead encountered another large specimen nearby. The full journey covered 26km over approximately eight hours. It was a privilege to make the journey. And, perhaps, no bad thing that the true objective remains for another day.
Medium Fit: Johnsonville to Island Bay led by John Willet. 5M
Five members left Johnsonville station and walked up to Tarikākā Mount Kaukau, buffeted by a strong northerly and drizzle. We started to walk along the Skyline track towards Karori. The harbour facing bench just before the Bells Track junction provided welcome shelter for morning tea. Any hopes that the wind might weaken were swiftly blown away so we descended to Ngaio and took the Korimako and Silversky tracks to Wilton substation. Before entering the calm of Otari native gardens via the John Witton entrance. We ate lunch at the Troop Picnic lawn where we met the ramble party. Onwards to the eastern perimeter fence of Zealandia.
Most of the party left at George Denton Park, but the trip continued up to the Wind turbine and down towards the tip. Diverting via Hawkins hill road because Barking Emu track is closed for track work – a highway appears to be being bulldozed through the bush. Eventually descending to Happy Valley Road and along the coast to Island Bay. Nine hours in all
Fit: Te Whakatūrākau (Atiwhakatu) tributary exploration led by Mike Wespel-Rose. 4M
Four of us left Holdsworth car park at 8.45. We proceeded up Te Whakatūrākau Valley. We then turned up 5 Minute Creek. (It is just 5 minutes down stream from Atiwhakatu Hut. after a couple of hours at a major fork, we climbed onto a spur which took us all the way to point 1367 between Jumbo and East Holdsworth. We returned along the ridge to East Holdsworth in a strong blustery wind and descended via the East Holdsworth Track Te Whakatūrākau river and back to the car. We took 10hrs and 10 mins with only brief stops. Although not at the time, the next day, party members claimed to have enjoyed the adventure - in retrospect.
Weekend
Friday to Sunday 22nd
Lodge workparty, Ruapehu led by Vivienne Radcliffe. 7M 4 youth and one 8 year old. Ruapehu put on a perfect weekend for the Lodge work party. In total there were 12 people at the Lodge: 4 from the Youth Group who walked to the crater on Saturday and 7 members and an 8 year old who worked hard, ate well, shared stories and enjoyed the weekend.
We made 9 people trips up from the carpark carrying bulk supplies; repaired, prepared, undercoated and applied 2 top coats to the ground floor concrete blockwork (it was in a very sad state of repair). The front door had 3 coats of lovely red paint and looks splendid. All 30 sheets and 40 pillow cases were washed and dried. Other things, like the vacuum cleaner and window catches were repaired and the lodge thoroughly cleaned. Our lodge on Ruapehu is now stocked for winter, is all spick and span and is looking very smart on the outside.
Sunday
Easy Medium tramp over Whareora Farm led by Jenny Olsen. 4M
A perfect day for a walk in Whareroa Farm. We did a 3 hour loop. Up through Ramaroa Bush, a lovely patch of bush - before heading up through farm land and then a steep ascent to Rocks Lookout. Fabulous views over the Kapiti Coast and Kapiti Island. After our descent we did another bush meander before heading back to Pukerua Bay for a swim and a cuppa. Four members. A great trip.
Total 52 members 2 non members 4 youths and one 8 y.o.