Cone Hut

Cone Hut, (5 mattresses)^[1] is a slab hut, built in 1945, and opened in the Upper Tauwharenīkau River Valley, near the river, at the bottom of the track down from Cone Saddle.

Cone is an open hut, and part of the DoC Back Country Huts system. Cone Hut has a historic designation. The hut was built using the rare technique of adzing Totara timber into framing and splitting it into slab walls.

The hut was restored in the 1980s and is the second oldest hut in the Tararua Ranges, and one of the best examples of an original slab hut in the country. In 2015, following vandalism, the hut was again restored, and Totara slabs from the demolition of HVTC's Baines Hut in Ōrongorongo were used for the woodshed. The hut was given a tanalised plywood floor, replacing the dirt floor, plywood was overlaid on the Totara slab sleeping platform, and a water tank was installed. From the TTC's annual Tararua 2015 .

For detail of the hut's building history, consult Ron Pynenburg's 1981 thesis 'Huts of the Mount Hector Track'. In it Ron details how TTC members constructed the hut during the months of June to November 1945, then the hut was officially opened in March 1946. Interestingly, quite a few of the original totara slabs were pulled from either the old Cone Saddle Hut or Top Tauwharenīkau Hut, both of which were then derelict.

Cone Hut is a Bivvy or Basic hut, located at -40.988, 175.345. There are 6 bunks with heating, toilets - non-flush, water from stream, and water supply. Bookings are not required, usage is first come, first served.

Cone Hut alert

Predator control for Southern Tararuas

DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter in this area on 11 and 23 March 2026. Taraua Forest Park will remain open.

A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080.

First published on 3 March 2026. Last reviewed on 13 April 2026.

DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter in this area on 11 and 23 March 2026. Taraua Forest Park will remain open.

First published on 3 March 2026. Last reviewed on 13 April 2026.

Southern Taraua Forest Park pest control operation

We plan to distribute toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter on 23 March 2026, depending on the weather.

Taraua Forest Park will remain open. You are advised not to walk tracks on the day of the operation.

See the operation map (JPG, 297K)

This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.

First published on 23 March 2026.