Not far from the wine-tasting destination of Martinborough, the Tauanui River flows from Aorangi Forest Park into the Ruamāhanga River near the sea. In its headwaters is Tauanui Hut, a classic NZ Forest Service S70 six-bunker built in 1966 for government deer cullers operating in the Tararua Range. Since the creation of Aorangi Forest Park, the hut has been used by recreational hunters exploring the northern section of the park. Located a couple of hours up the Tauanui River, it is an ideal destination for trampers looking for something new.

Access to the Tauanui River is via Whakatomotomo Road and a logging road. The latter crosses private land but no permission is required; access may not be suitable for 2WD vehicles. Turn left onto the logging road approximately 5km along Whakatomotomo Road. After 3km a locked forestry gate marks the start of the route to the river. While not signposted, it is clear as the forestry road climbs from the valley beyond this point. Cross a grassy flat to the river to find a 4WD track that winds upriver, often crossing from bank to bank under regenerating rewarewa and rangiora – and ongaonga. Occasionally the track follows shallow sections of the river. Up the valley are sev-eral large, grassy camping spots, and not far beyond is the hut in all its orange glory. 

Te Maunga (979m) offers an adventurous side trip. The summit route begins behind the hut and climbs out of the lowland forest on a spur. Dense scrub inhabits the top of the spur, but travel on either side is easier. Beech trees dominate, and faded remnants of pink tape provide a muted reassurance that you are on course. The track steepens through bush-clad scree slopes over the knobs at 720m and 820m followed by more open and steep forest, before the final 200m climb to the summit. In this pleasant area the bush becomes festooned with moss dangling from gnarled and twisted trees. 

A trig marks the summit of Te Maunga, and a large open clearing provides expansive views of the east coast, making all that pain worth it.