Oturere Hut on the Tongariro Northern Circuit has reached the end of its life and is to be replaced in the summer of 2024/25, or later.

DOC Tongariro district operations manager George Taylor said the 26-bed hut “is no longer fit for purpose to accommodate the needs of the Tongariro Northern Circuit”.

Oturere Hut, at 1360m, was constructed in the early 1970s. As well as being part of the Northern Circuit, it can be accessed in just five hours from Desert Road via the Waihohonu Track. It is not considered a historic hut, but its significance to many visitors will not be forgotten by DOC.

“We are considering reusing parts of the hut as a feature in the new hut,” Taylor said.