A forest-green ‘intentions book’ can be found in every DOC hut across the motu. Often battered, tea-stained and well-thumbed, these books serve as both the hut’s diary and an important tool for search and rescue teams.

Visitors are encouraged to write in the hut book even if they are just passing through: a record of who’s in the group, your trip plans, and dates of arrival and departure.

A column reserved for comments allows messages to be left for DOC and incoming trampers, such as weather details, track conditions, or a warning of a potential hazard, such as a wasp nest, ahead.

Hut books serve as historical records, and DOC has no plans to replace them with a digital process. 

Earlier this year, search and rescue teams on the West Coast used hut book entries to find an overdue walker. The tramper had left details of his planned route in two hut books, which helped narrow down the search area.

Search and rescue teams may also contact the writers of previous entries to seek sightings of a missing person.