Department of Conservation of New Zealand

02/09/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/08/2023 20:04

Severe weather across the country

Date: 09 February 2023

The storms across the upper North Island have caused slips, washouts, fallen trees and flooding, which is likely to have damaged tracks and facilities.

Until we have been able to fully assess the damage, we are encouraging people to use common sense before accessing public conservation land in these regions.

Check the alerts on individual hut and tracks webpages: safety alerts on our website. We will also be updating this webpage as information comes to hand.

If you need to cancel your booking because of flood damage email [email protected] to avoid standard cancellation fees.

Regional updates

Northland

There are no current track, campsite or hut closures in Northland due to the recent severe weather.

Tracks may be damaged with slips, washouts, fallen trees or flooding. We advise using common sense before accessing public conservation land in Northland and check the alerts on the track or site web page.

Auckland, Hauraki Gulf Islands and Aotea/Great Barrier Island

All DOC accommodation, including huts, lodges and campsites, is open across Auckland, Inner Hauraki Gulf Islands and Aotea/Great Barrier Island.

DOC rangers are assessing all tracks and other sites across the greater Auckland region.

Check the relevant DOC webpage for track alerts before setting out. Some open tracks may have minor damage or branches down, so take care when accessing tracks.

Further damage, including slips, remains possible.

Coromandel

All campsites in the northern Coromandel remain unavailable due to access issues, until at least 16 February.

Sites across Coromandel that are closed include:

  • Cathedral Cove Walk in the Hahei area
  • Coromandel Walkway between Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay
  • Wentworth Falls track near Whangamata
  • Waiotahi, Waiomu, and Tararu Tracks in Coromandel Forest Park
  • Rocky's Walk to Tinkers Gully in the Coromandel Forest Park

Sites across the Coromandel that have been damaged inlude:

  • Opera Point Walk at Whangapoua
  • Whitianga Rock Walk near Whitianga

DOC rangers are continuing their assessments of sites and assets in the Coromandel Peninsula. It may be several days before they can assess backcountry tracks.

Visitors are urged to exercise caution and report any damage. Check the relevant DOC webpage for track alerts before setting out.

Check the latest road information on these websites:

Maniapoto (Waikato)

DOC staff are continuing their assessments of sites and assets in the district.

Visitors are urged to exercise caution on tracks and DOC sites, and report any damage they encounter.