Western access to Wangapeka Track

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has settled a Land Acquisition Fund (LAF) purchase that secures public access at the West Coast end of the Wangapeka Track beside Little Wanganui River. 

Herenga ā Nuku first heard of a public access issue on the track in 2013 when compensation for an access easement over the land could not be agreed.  Erosion had washed away an unformed legal road adjoining the Kahurangi National Park, and the river abutted a sheer papa cliff.   After Herenga ā Nuku visited the site and talked to DOC and the landowner, DOC felt that the situation would not be resolved with an easement. The challenges and declining use of the track warranted no further action at that time.

In 2019, DOC contacted Herenga ā Nuku again about the possibility of an easement over private land for the final section of the track. A new landowner now owned the land and was concerned about the safety of walkers. DOC reported that use of this access was now up to several hundred trampers a year.  Herenga ā Nuku provided advice, including reassurance regarding landowners' responsibilities, but no progress was made.

Then, last year, the executor of the late owner approached DOC, offering to sell the land. DOC considered an easement as an alternative, and Herenga ā Nuku again provided advice. In September, DOC advised that, instead of an easement, an application had been made to DOC’s internal LAF fund to buy the land to secure the access. The day before Matariki, the land became public conservation land, and enduring access to the national park was secured.

Board member Hugh Logan notes that the longstanding lack of access had some economic impact on Karamea, because trampers using the western portion of the Wangapeka Track dropped significantly.

“The Heaphy Wangapeka circuit used to be quite popular. So, securing access is a significant walking access win and should also help Karamea tourist-wise.”

DOC’s Buller District team have started work to improve the start of the track, including tackling weeds.

~6ha Area purchased outlined yellow. To become scenic reserve.

This access is also important for general access to Kahurangi National Park as it is one of only 2 tracked access points to the western side of the park (the other being the Heaphy Track).