Hiking Aotearoa

This event involves an overnight excursion to Motutapu Island, situated in the Hauraki Gulf, east of Rangitoto Island. Our itinerary includes a walk around the island's entire coastline over the course of two days, covering a total distance of 21.6 km. The coastline features a diverse range of terrain, including sandy beaches and rocky boulders, with certain sections where swimming a short distance may be necessary. Be prepared to get thoroughly wet in some areas. It is advisable to bring waterproof bags, which will assist in maintaining flotation and keeping your belongings dry. If you do not feel entirely confident in swimming short distances, please inform me so that assistance can be provided when required.

This adventure promises to be an enjoyable two days filled with hiking, swimming, camping and exploring parts of a Hauraki Gulf island that are not frequently seen up close.
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❌❗ Preference given to regulars and those who are not SLOW. Just because you are on the "Waiting list" does not necessarily mean you will get to the "Going List".

🚩Summary of details:
📌Water taxi ride one way: 25 minutes
📌Hiking times and distances:
a) Southern coastline coastline : 4.5 to 5 hours - 11.5 km (estimated)
b) Northern coastline coastline : 7 to 7.5 hours - 17.8 km (estimated)
📌Maximum of 13 people (max on water Taxi)
📌Cost of return trip by water taxi - $80
📌Map of hike on Saturday: https://tinyurl.com/3ppn38uw
📌Map of hike on Sunday: https://tinyurl.com/55pejbpm
📌Map of water taxi route: https://tinyurl.com/y2d5hcxe

🚩This is the important stopping point to note:
👉1) Jetty in front of Akarana Yacht club, 8/10 Tamaki Drive, Orakei
(Where we take the return trip with two water taxis to Motutapu island)
https://bit.ly/3wOxeZi

🚩 Time Guideline:
(Guide only):
📌Saturday
07:17 High tide (17th Jan)
08:10 Good time to arrive in front of Akarana Yacht club building
08:20 Latest time to arrive
08:30 Water taxis depart
08:55 Arrive at Home Bay, Motutapu island
09:05 Group photos and introductions
09:10 Pitch tents and set up camp
10:30 Start hike of Southern coastline
13:18 Low tide (17th Jan)
15:30 Approx. finish hike back at camp

📌Sunday
08:01 High tide (18th Jan)
08:15 Pack up camping gear
09:00 Start hike of Northern coastline
14:02 Low tide (18th Jan)
16:45 Finish hike (estimation)
17:00 Depart Home Bay with Water Taxi
17:25 Back at Akarana Yacht club
17:30 After hike drinks and snacks at "Akarana Eatery"

🚩 Payment: You will need make payment of $80 by 4th January. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name, so I can identify you. Also add "Motutapu to the reference.

❌❗ Important! As previously stated, when hiking around the island, there will be sections where swimming a short distance is necessary. For your own safety, please ensure you bring waterproof bags or waterproof food containers that can fit inside your day pack. These bags or containers will keep your equipment dry and assist with your flotation. Naturally, any electronic devices, such as cell phones, must be placed in waterproof bags. However, the majority of the time spent hiking will not involve swimming, but rather traversing a rocky coastline or beach.

Important! The water taxi departure on Sunday from Home Bay is booked at 17:00, so we all need to be mindful of time.

❌❗ There is no car pooling and we will not meet at New World. You will need to get to the Akarana yacht club at Orakei. If you are driving, then please park behind the Akarana Yacht club building, where there is free parking in the white spaces. Do not park in the yellow spaces. The water taxis will leave on time, please be ready to board when required, and if you are late arriving, then we go without you. Please try to arrive early.

🚩Bio security: Clean dirty gear or footwear to remove all dirt and seeds. Check all gear for pests such as mice, rats, ants, plague skinks and weeds. SEAL your gear properly and avoid stowaways. Pack food in sealed containers to avoid attracting rodents. Your bags must be zipped closed (no open bags). Be vigilant.

🚩Camping: You will need to book your own campsite at Home Bay. The camp spot is very large so there is not much chance of not getting a booking. The cost is $10 per person, and you can book here: https://tinyurl.com/ht4drv4y

🚩 Gear check list: https://tinyurl.com/4dperj8d

🚩After hike drinks and snacks on Sunday: "Akarana Eatery" which is located in the Hyundai Marine Sports centre, next to the Akarana Yacht club. If you are early at departure in the morning, you could buy a quick snack and coffee here. https://akarana.co.nz/akarana-eatery/

🚩RSVP questions:

(1) Please let me know your level of swimming ability?
(A) Confident to handle most coastal swimming
(B) Okay but a little cautious
(C) Not that confident, but willing to give it a try

(2) Please give me your cell phone number in case I need to send everyone a text for a last minute change of plan. Note: Numbers will not be made public, and your number and rsvp answers are only visible to yourself and the organizer. No made up numbers please.

From the 27th, 28th February and the 1st of March (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we will be traveling to Ohope, which is near Whakatane, to explore three distinct hiking trails in the Whakatane-Ohope region. Our accommodation will be at 'Ohope camp' located in Ohope.

The preliminary itinerary involves driving to Ohope, approximately 320 kilometres, on Friday, with the option to hike the Lathams track for those who arrive early. On Saturday, we will hike on the Kohi Pt - Nga Tapuwae loop hike, which offers a diverse array of views, terrains, and vegetation. This route traverses native bush, farmland, urban areas, coastal paths, beach and clifftop tracks. We will conclude the day with a communal dinner at the main hall of the camp.

Lastly, on Sunday, we will hike along the coastline from Whakatane to the Rangitaiki Rivers before returning to Auckland. A moderate level of fitness and stamina is necessary, as there are some hills to ascend with steps. Regular participants will have priority, but newcomers are encouraged to join. As is customary with all overnight weekend hikes, if you intend to forgo the hike on Sunday, please refrain from RSVP'ing. Additionally, for future hikes, you may find it challenging to be included on the Going list.
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🚩 Summary of details:
📌Duration: Whole trip is 3 days and 2 nights;
📌Friday hike : Latham's track circuit 2 hours (5.7 km) - optional hike
📌Saturday hike : Kohi Pt -Nga Tapuwae loop 6.5-6.0 hours (16.2km)
📌Sunday hike : Whakatane to Rangitaiki Rivers 4hrs 15min return (14.5 km)
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale,
Friday: 2.5
Saturday: 3.5
Sunday: 3.0
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📌Maps:
Friday: Latham's track https://tinyurl.com/mdfpmz7w
Saturday: Kohi Pt -Nga Tapuwae loop https://tinyurl.com/54y8j3wj
Sunday: Whakatane to Rangitaiki Rivers https://tinyurl.com/23bjubp8
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🚩Time Guideline:
📌 Friday:
09:00 Leave Auckland (Approx)
13:00 Earliest time to check into Camp at Ohope
13:05 Arrive at Latham's track start
13:30 Start Latham's track loop (optional hike**)
15:30 Finish hike
19:35 Sunset
** Latham's track is optional and you can arrive any time on Friday

📌Saturday:
07:08 Sunrise
08:00 Leave camp & start hike
14:15 Finish hike & arrive back at camp
18:30 Shared group dinner at the main hall
19:35 Sunset

📌Sunday:
07:08 Sunrise
08:00 Organize a car shuttle - some drive to hike finish
08:30 Pack up Check out of Camp with remainder to Hike start
08:45 All at start - Whakatane to Rangitaiki Rivers hike
12:30 Finish hike
12:35 Snacks and drinks (TBA)
14:00 Drive back to Auckland
18:00 Approx arrive back in Auckland
19:35 Sunset
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🚩 These are the 4 important stopping points to note when driving:

👉 1) Ohope Camp, 60 Pohutukawa Avenue, Ōhope
(Where we stay for 2 nights)
https://tinyurl.com/2uhdsuc5

👉 2) Awakeri Hot Springs, 1363 State Highway 30, Awakeri
(Where we start & finish the Lathams track loop
https://tinyurl.com/3nh4p9wc

👉 3) Bunyan Road, Coastlands
(Where we start & finish the Whakatane to Rangitaiki rivers hike)
https://tinyurl.com/ykhh6f2h

👉 4) Rangitaiki river mouth, Hall Road, Thornton
(Where we finish the Whakatane to Rangitaiki rivers hike )
https://tinyurl.com/2kf87nux
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🚩 Friday : You can arrive at any time on Friday, however we have a short optional hike on Lantham's track at 13:30 for those that get to Whakatane early. We start at Awakeri springs car park, firstly walking along the road then onto the other end of Lathams track and eventually on to a trig with some good views. We then head back down to the car park and possibly have a swim in the Hot springs.

🚩 Saturday hikes: This has a mixture of urban footpaths, native bush and coastal cliff. There should be a variety of views and terrain. There are some steep parts but there many steps, and the track is well maintained. If there is rain then it is likely to be slippery and muddy in certain places. Part of the coastal section should be done at low tide, otherwise we may get partially wet.
About 6.5-6.0 hours (16.2km)

🚩 Sunday hike: The route start from the beach settlement known as Coastlands. We head towards the end of the Spit where there is a statue in commemoration of a Whakatane Mayor's wife. We then head North west towards the Rangitaiki River mouth where we will have a car shuttle arranged to take us back to start.
About 3 hours 30 minutes (11.2km)
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🚩Accommodation:
We stay for 2 nights at Ohope Christian camp, on Pohutukawa Avenue, Ohope. We have 6 cabins, and each cabin has three sets of bunks. Each bunk has a double bed below with one single above. So in each cabin there is room for 6 people. The cabin also has a self contained kitchen and an en suite bathroom. An air conditioner is in each cabin but it will cost $10 per night/day extra, which you can pay for on arrival. You will also need to bring your own bedding,- bottom sheet, duvet/sleeping bag and a pillow. We have cabins 5,6,7,8,9 and 10, and are all in the same building known as 'Lilburn' Lodge.

For our group we will need to bring detergent, tea towels and dish cloths, medium size rubbish bags, and toilet paper rolls. Clean-up is also required prior to leaving, products and instructions are available at the camp.

The cost per night is $40 per night and includes use of the main self-catering kitchen/hall. Total cost is $80. If you plan on staying elsewhere then please do not RSVP.
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🚩 Payment: Make payment of $80. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Write "Ohope" and your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name. Please make payment by the by 17th February.
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🚩Check list of Gear: https://tinyurl.com/2eh2ajey
🚩 Metvuw rain forecast : https://goo.gl/9zpzs9
🚩 Just some hiking group etiquette: http://bit.ly/2ZmOmEG
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🚩Costs:
Passengers need to give to their driver:
$70 - if one passenger (based on 10c/km)
$50 each if 2 passengers (based on 10c/km)
$80 - 2 nights accommodation
$130 - $150 Approx Total

🍔🍗🍷 Shared dinner on Saturday night:
On Saturday night we will have a shared dinner at the main hall, please bring a plate of food to share with everyone - thank you.
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🚩Please answer the 5 RSVP questions:

(1) What is your transport situation for carpooling:
(A) have transport, can offer rides
(B) have transport, can drive if needed, but prefer to get a ride
(C) Have no transport, need a ride

(2) So, carpooling can be assisted, which suburb (or part of Auckland) do you live in?

(3) Approximately what time do you think you will arrive at Ohope Camp on Friday?

(4) Would you be interested in joining the optional 2 hour Latham's track loop on Friday at 13:30?
(A) Yes
(B) Maybe
(C) No

(5) Please give me your cell phone number in case I need to send everyone a text for a last minute change of plan or for car pooling purposes.
Note: Numbers will not be made public, and your number and rsvp answers are only visible to yourself and the organizer. They will also not be passed on, unless myself or someone in our group needs to contact you for car pooling etc. No made up numbers please.

From the 13th to the 15th of March (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we will be hosting a two-night event in the southern Kaimai range. Our Base Camp will be located at Kaimua Lodge in this region. The feature hike of the weekend will be to the Radar station, which was constructed for aircraft navigation following a tragic passenger plane crash in 1963 that resulted in the loss of all lives on board. Portions of the route will traverse farmland, a gravel access road, an unofficial track, and a DOC track. Provided that the clouds do not obstruct our views, we should be treated to some spectacular views west towards the Hauraki plains and east towards Tauranga. On Sunday, we intend to take a shorter hike along the Henderson's tramline, covering the north and west branches.
If you are slow, then you should not RSVP. Regulars also get priority to join, however if you are a new comer, but fit and capable, then you should be suitable for this event.

As with all overnight weekend hikes, if it is your plan to skip Sunday's hike then please change your RSVP to "Not Going". On future hikes, you will also be unlikely to join the Going list.

🚩 Summary of details:
📌 Duration: 2 nights
Saturday distance: 12.3km
Sunday distance: 9.9km
Map of Saturday and Sunday hikes: https://tinyurl.com/4s7ykj7r

📌 Friday : There are no activities planned for Friday, and you can arrive anytime that is convenient. Check in time at Kaimua lodge is usually 14:00, although if you want to arrive earlier then please let me know. Try not to arrive after 21:00

🚩Saturday hike:
We start from Barton Road which serves a working quarry. We will need to walk around this quarry and through farm land which the local farmer has given permission to cross. It will be about a 600 metre climb to the Radar station and a bit further to Te Weraiti trig. Past the Radar station there is no official track, but it is generally flat for about 2km until the North South track is reached. A short distance further we will reach a junction that takes us down the north branch of Henderson's tramline and back to the Old Kaimai road, where we have a car shuttle.

12.3km (about 5 to 5.5 hours) For those who use a navigation device please request a GPX file from me.

🚩Sunday hike
We start on the Old Kaimai road, at the start of the North branch of the Henderson's tram line, gradually up hill until we reach the North South track, which is the same route as the previous day, except in the opposite direction. At the junction we turn left and follow the North South track until the West branch of the Henderson tram line junction. It is a gentle descent until we arrive back at the Old Kaimai Road where we have a car shuttle. It should take us about 3 hours.

📌 Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale, about 3.0-3.5 (overall)

🚩 These are the 5 important stopping points to note.:

👉 1) Hoatu Kaimua Lodge, 282 Old Kaimai Road, Lower Kaimai
(Where we stay for 2 nights, & initially meet)
https://tinyurl.com/4mhc9v5p

👉 2) 132 Barton Road, Okauia
(Where we start Saturdays hike)
https://tinyurl.com/2kmhrr6k

👉 3) 59-177 Old Kaimai Road, Lower Kaimai
(Where we finish Saturday's hike & start Sunday's hike)
https://tinyurl.com/3fcwepwe

👉 4) Tuakopae Stream Bridge, Old Kaimai Road, Lower Kaimai
(Where we finish Sunday's hike)
https://tinyurl.com/5n7jdffc

👉 5) Redoubt Bar & Eatery, 48 Broadway, Matamata
(Where we have Sunday lunch or snacks and drinks)
https://tinyurl.com/ycxekm4c

🚩Accommodation:
We will stay Friday and Saturday night at "Hoatu Kaimua lodge" on 282 Old Kaimai road. The driveway is about one kilometre long (so do not become discouraged trying to find the lodge), and set near the edge of the bush. The cost per person is $45 per night, which is a total of $90x each.
They have two large rooms with about 20 bunks in each. These are subdivided into sections of 4 bunks that are closed off by a curtain. They provide bedding, pillows, and towels, so no sleeping bags are necessary.
There are two large campground style bathrooms - one for men and one for women. There is a large kitchen, spacious lounge room with an amazing open fire and two barbeques on the deck. They also have an outdoor fireplace/bonfire pit, board games, table tennis, a little waterfall and natural pool if anyone is interested in antarctic swimming.
The lodge is fairly isolated and the nearest shops/supermarket is Matamata, which is 25 minutes drive. We plan to have a shared dinner on Saturday night. Please bring something as a contribution.
If you want to turn up early at the lodge on Friday, then anything after 15:00 is okay, although the manager can accommodate people who may want to arrive even earlier than that. Please let me know if you want to arrive before 15:00.
If you plan to stay elsewhere (other than Kaimua lodge) please do not RSVP.
More information: https://www.hoatu.co.nz/

Time line (guide only)
📌 Friday: Arrive at lodge anytime between 15:00 and not later than 21:00. Arrival is up to you. If you would like to arrive a bit earlier than 15:00, then this should be okay - just let me know.
15:00 Earliest time to check in
19:12 Sunset

📌Saturday:
07:39 Sunrise
08:00 Leave lodge & drive to Barton Rd with some cars left at finish
08:30 All arrive at Barton Road
08:40 Introductions and briefing
08:45 Start hike
14:00 Finish hike
14:30 Collect cars at start
15:00 All back at lodge
18:30 Group dinner at lodge
19:12 Sunset

📌Sunday:
07:39 Sunrise
08:30 Pack up and leave some cars at lodge
08:40 Leave some cars at finish of hike
08:45 All at start of hike
08:50 Start hike
12:00 Approx finish hike
12:15 Retrieve cars from start
12:20 Drive to Matamata Redoubt Bar for Snacks and drinks
12:40 At Redoubt Bar
16:00 Approx arrive back in Auckland
19:12 Sunset

Other information:
🚩 Check list of items to bring: https://tinyurl.com/46dzr7tp
🚩 Metvuw rain forecast : https://goo.gl/9zpzs9
🚩 Just some hiking group etiquette: http://bit.ly/2ZmOmEG

🍔🍗🍷 Saturday night Dinner:
On Saturday night we will have a shared dinner at the lodge, please bring to share with everyone - thank you.

🚩 Costs:
$45 to your driver - if passenger (based on 15c/km with 2 passengers)
$90 for 2 nights accommodation
$135 Total (More for extras such as food and drinks)

🚩 Payment: You will need make payment of $90 by 16th March. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank "Hiking Aotearoa" A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write as a reference "Kaimua" and your name that is the same as your Meetup name, so I can identify you. Please do NOT leave payment until the last minute.

RSVP Questions: https://tinyurl.com/3t6xvhdc
Thanks 😊
Russell
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