⛰️#48 - Tongariro, Great Walks, Dodgy Tank Water, Powerbanks, & Lots More

Author

Jub Bryant
November 15, 2025

And we are back with the 48th NZ Hiking Newsletter, sent every Friday (a.k.a early Saturday).

I’ll let you know what’s going in in the hiking scene, along with other bits and pieces I find interesting.

Last week I mentioned I’d post more updates on huts and tracks, and while I touch on that in this newsletter…it’s not quite in the way I was planning…maybe next week!

The previous newsletter got great feedback. Chur.

Feel free to send your friends this link if you think they’d like giving this a ready most weeks: https://nzhikingnewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Alright, let’s get into it.

🔥 Tongariro Stuff :(

Instagram Post

Well, if you’ve somehow missed what happened at Tongariro National Park…a large fire started burning on Saturday and went for a few days. A total of 2,935 hectares burned before the fire was out (currently no remaining hotspots). While devastating, the weather (rain, not strong wind) earlier in the week helped firefighters. No rain…and the devastation could have been well worse.

The news and events around the fire moved quickly. Evacuations happened, trampers were removed from the park efficiently on the Saturday evening, and photos of the fire spread.

For obvious reasons, there’s still a rahui in place for a few tracks:

  • Tongariro Alpine Crossing

  • Mangatepopo Track 

  • Tongariro Northern Circuit north of Waihohonu

There’s been no news on the cause of the fire, with investigations continuing.

What I did find interesting was around the second, 10-year rahui placed on Tongariro National Park. This was put in place on day two of the fire, when there was little containment. It’s a restorative rahui, which has caused some confusion, so DOC posted an explainer here.

There’s obvious devastation, but it seemed rather early on in the fires timeline to making 10-year plans at the click of the finger.

📚 Tongariro Book Recommendation

Available at shops around NZ, libraries, and online.

On a related note, I’ve been meaning to mention the book Fire and Ice: Secrets, Histories, Treasures and Mysteries of Tongariro National Park by Hazel Phillips.

Having read it in October, I loved it. Hazel dives into everything Tongariro from talking about secret and unmarked huts, the Mallow Puff Test, history and misadventures, plane wrecks and lots, lots more. Hazel has covered a lot of ground in Tongariro National Park…I’d love to see all the pins she has on her Tongariro topo map.

I love how it focuses on one National Park and goes all in…a bit like the next book she’s working on about the early women climbers in Aorake/Mount Cook National Park. That’s a guaranteed awesome read.

Unless I’m having a shocker, but Hazel Phillips doesn’t seem to be on active social media. I was hoping she’d mention something about the fire and her thoughts. But if you want to hear Hazel’s passion for the National Park, check out Episode 138 of the Aotearoa Adventures podcast.

𓅃 Bird of the Year Album

Forest & Bird have released the first song of an album (to be) celebrating every bird of the year winner.

The 2025 bird of the year Karearea gets the first song (below - lyrics included). It won’t go on my list of go to songs, but it might be for you.

You can learn more about the song and check out some other resources here.

Don’t forget to steer clear of the Karearea, they’ve been dive bombing some people who get close to their nests 😮 News report here.

💩 What’s In That Mueller Hut Water Tank

At most DOC huts around the country, you’ll see permanent signs about boiling the water at the huts. But it’s something I’ve always dismissed more or less, and (touchwood) so far I’ve never had the negative effects. Unfortunately, there’s been quite a few hikers heading to Mueller Hut in the last week or two, who have not been in a good state after drinking the tank water without boilling water.

DOC now has a warning on the Mueller Hut page.

I came across the issue in this thread on FB, which put the issue out there, and had a few others mention they suffered after a recent Mueller Hut adventure.

Good news, DOC has sent a water sample away for testing to find out what they’re dealing with. There’s still a fair bit of snow up there. Is the hut being buried in snow a part of the reason? TBD. Some people mention they should get their stool tested to help DOC. I’m not sure I’d be that keen on that myself.

If you like reading research papers, there’s a research paper (link here) from the Wilderness Medical Society about how long you need to boil water for.

Writing this reminded me of the “Poop-moji” pouch, designed to store your poop kit on the trail.

🥾 Big Three Great Walk Opening Updates

Three of the most popular Great Walks have gotten off to a slow start thanks to the horrid spring weather, but there’s some good news.

  • Kepler Track: opened on Thursday, with some snow around the tops but deemed to be safe.

  • Milford Track: the goal is to have it open on Thursday the 24th (next update on the 20th)

  • RouteburnTrack: also hopefully open on the 24th, with the next update on Friday the 21st.

🪵 Tracks Still In The Cleanup Process

While the weather is getting better, there’s still going to be significant treefall on some tracks throughout the country. On the West Coast there’s been some great work done to clear up some tracks with some DOC staff not able to get their usual work done to focus on track clearing for us to enjoy. Annoyingly, more reports continue to filter in about fresh treefall. Press release here.

If you see DOC workers (or other volunteers) working on the trails, make sure to show your appreciation for the work they’re doing.

⛰️ Aoraki/Mt Cook Car Parking Charges Announced

It’s about a month to go before DOC starts trialling carparks in three places:

  • Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

  • Punakaiki

  • Franz Joser

And they’ve just released the fees they’ll charge for parking at the DOC carpark in Mount Cook National Park, where you would usually begin the Hooker Valley Track, among others.

Here it is:

  • A free parking period for 20 minutes to allow for drop-offs/pick-ups or for staying a short time.

  • An hourly rate of $5 per hour

  • A daily rate of $25 per day

  • An annual pass for locals (within Mackenzie district boundaries) of $10 per vehicle per year, which allows for unlimited access during the year

  • An annual pass for other regular visitors for $60 per vehicle per year

  • Commercial tourism operators who hold a valid concession will be granted a parking fee exemption for the duration of the pilot.

That seems rather confusing. But that’s why it’s a 7-month trial, I guess. DOC thinks they’ll bring in $1.5 million from the trial…which will hopefully at least cover the costs of implemention

🐻 Haribo Powerbank Gone Sour

In a newsletter a few weeks back, I mentioned that Haribo (yes, the candy company) now has a power bank that’s competitive with other popular hiking powerbanks.

Well, maybe it was too good to be true…nothing fixed has come out from Haribo or the manufacturer, but there’s a bunch of speculation as to why orders have been cancelled on Amazon:

😹 Hiking Funny

🎁 A Couple Of Competitions To Enter

  • Sarah Blair x Jetboil Giveaway - enter here (closes November 19th)

  • Specialized x OSM Giveaway - enter here (closes November 30th)

Have a great week, hike it up.

As always, reply to this email (or Whatsapp +64 20 4170 2764) with anything and everything…I’m happy to chat.

Chur,
Jub

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