New Zealand / Conservation

DOC team to fly in to assess flood-damaged Heaphy Track

18:58 pm on 16 February 2022

The Department of Conservation will fly in a four-person team to assess the damage caused to a Great Walk during recent flooding on the West Coast.

Photo: Crown Copyright DOC

The Heaphy Track remains partially closed between Heaphy Hut and Mackay Hut due to severe damage.

The team would assess the Heaphy, Murray, Gunner, and Pitt Creek bridges in the next couple of days.

Buller operations manager Suvi Van Smit said the team would be two DOC rangers and two structural engineers.

"The feedback from this assessment should be available next week. It will determine what work needs to be done to safely re-open the track."

The track remained open from Kohaihai to Heaphy Hut/Camp and Scotts Beach Camp.

This section could be booked from Friday for in - out trips on the West Coast side.

The track between Brown Hut and James Mackay Hut was in good condition and remained open so bookings could be made for in - out trips from the Golden Bay side, she said.

Any existing bookings could either be cancelled with a full refund or re-arranged.

Several damaged tracks in the Karamea area would also be assessed next week once road access reopened, she said.