This article was first published in Tararua Tramper in April 2025
Waikanae River headwater investigation
Wednesday 12 March
The Waikanae River has numerous headwater streams. The focus of this trip was the watercourse immediately east of the Pukeatua Ridge Track. According to the website https://www.herengaanuku.govt.nz/maps/outdoor-access-maps, this watercourse is designated as a 'road' from the South Mangaone Road end to the boundary of Tararua Forest Park.
This area was logged last century (hence the road designation?). I wanted to see if any evidence of industrial activity remained. I followed the Pukeatua Ridge Track to the prominent saddle south of point 422 and then headed east off the track down to the watercourse. The water level was end-of- summer low but most of the rocks underfoot in the flow were greasy, so progress was cautiously slow.
About half a kilometre downstream from my point of entry, I came upon the first item of abandoned waste – rusted steel hauling cable - entangled in dead trees, rocks and roots. Shortly thereafter I encountered the major obstacle of the day – a waterfall about four metres high in a chasm situation. Beside the cascading water the rock was steep, smooth and wet. Being solo, and without a rope, I easily decided that a sidle on the TL was the wisest option. That decision required using bush mountaineering skills to get up the steep chasm side.
Once past the falls, the remaining obstacles of the trip required scrambling through tree- tangled slips that had come down into the watercourse from the steep sides. Two other items of industrial detritus encountered were sections of iron rails and numerous squared pieces of wood that had obviously been used as sleepers under the rails. All these were firmly enmeshed in the watercourse.
The most significant item of industrial abandonment was an entire bulldozer. It is covered in moss and lichen, and has trees with diameters of up to ten centimetres growing up through its lugs.
The bulldozer is obviously an item of attraction for those who are made aware of its location. Travelling downstream from the site there is a rudimentary visible track that criss-crosses the stream and eventually connects with a logging-era bulldozed road. That road-remnant ends about 200 metres upstream from the Pukeatua Ridge Track. It was a sedate foot splash downstream to the ridge track to complete the loop.
It was a not-too-long but adventurous day that satisfied my curiosity and provided enlightenment.
Bill Allcock