The walking track on Mt Kakepuku about 40 minutes south of Kirikiriroa has recently reopened after a long closure, following significant damage to the track from severe weather that hit the district in February.
The 7.2 kilometre return track was closed due to damage, including multiple landslides, unstable ground, surface cracking and access routes being blocked by rocks and fallen tree debris.
“One of the big things is health and safety and making sure that we have safe tracks that are open for our people to come back and I know we’ve done work on about 7 and a half kilometres worth of tracks that were damaged in the āwhā in February,” says Waipā District Councillor, Dale-Maree Morgan.
“Unfortunately some dog owners have ruined it for others and we’ve had to ban the dogs off so it is kind of concerning when you have a council elected member here, you’ve got a sign there that says no dogs and you have a dog owner walk straight past you,” says Morgan.
Following essential repairs by contractors, the Waipā District Council announced the track’s official reopening on June 18, 2026. While the council has confirmed the route is now in a safe condition, they advise visitors to remain on marked paths, cautioning that mobile reception is unreliable and some sections may remain slippery, particularly following heavy rain. Despite the reopening, Councillor Dale-Maree Morgan notes ongoing concerns regarding visitors who continue to bring dogs onto the track in defiance of posted restrictions.
Kua tūwhera anō te ara hīkoi o Kakepuku maunga
E ai ki a Tūmoana Viles o Ngāti Maniapoto, kei tēnā hapū, kei tēnā hapū e noho ana ki ngā rekereke o te maunga ngētehi kōrero me ngētehi pūrākau e hāngai ana ki te maunga nei.
“He paku rerekē te kōrero o tēnā, o tēnā. Ki a mātou, ki tā te kimi i te ipurangi, ko Kakepuku, ko te ingoa ko Te Kakepuku o Kahu. Ko Kahu he tūpuna nē? Ā kua kake e ia i te puku,” hei tā Viles.
E mārama ana a Viles nā te āwhā nui i pā kino i Te Nehenehenui i te marama o Pēpuere te take i aukati Te Kaunihera a Takiwā o Waipā i te maunga, kia whai wāhi ia ki te whakaora i a ia anō.
“I ngā marama kua taha ake nei, kua aukati te maunga nei. Tē taea a Ngāti Unu ki te piki, ki te kake i te maunga, nō reira e pai ana. E pai ana ināianei kua tūwhera anō, kua wātea,” e ai ki a Viles.
Ahakoa kua tūwhera anō te ara hīkoi o te maunga nei, kei reira tonu ngētehi āwangawanga mō te maunga.
“Ko te painga ki tāku, e haramai ana ngā tangata ki te maunga nei. He mea hauora mō rātou. Ko taku nei āwangawanga, me tiaki i te maunga,” hei tā Viles anō.