[Shane Connolly]

News from Doc
http://www.doc.govt.nz/Whats-New/presult.asp?prID=1051

A New Lease of Life for an Old Hut
2 may 2003

The historic Field hut in the Tararua Forest Park has been given a new lease of life.

A $35,000 make-over has retained the historic integrity of the 80-year-old hut while providing a comfortable overnight stop-over for present and future generations of trampers. Replica six panel windows have been installed, complete with laminated safety glass; the exterior has been painted in colonial colours; a section of roof and several of the piles have been replaced; the top floor has been strengthened, and new spouting and an entry deck and fire escape have been added. There is also an extra water tank, a new table and bench stools, replacement historic photos, a new long drop and new mattresses for each of the 20 beds.

?The hut was looking pretty tired but it certainly doesn?t look its age now,? says Kapiti Area programme manager Wayne Boness

?We are delighted that money was able to be made available for Field and Kime huts from the Government?s additional funding for deferred maintenance and hut replacements,? says Hugh Barr who chairs the huts committee of the Tararua Tramping Club, which built the huts.

?This will extend their useful lives for many years.?

He says the new exterior colour schemes make the huts look ?warm and inviting.?

Overnighters have penned their approval in the hut visitors? book.

?W.H. Field (the former local MP the hut is named after) would be proud to see this? is among the many positive comments recorded.

Part of the Southern Crossing, the hut is popular with trampers of all ages and achievable for a family to reach in a day trip.

Levin contractor Rod Feasey carried out the renovation work which was funded from the Government?s additional $16 million cash injection for visitor facilities nationwide over three years. Other huts in the park have also been spruced up as part of this programme, which is now into its second year. Local tramping clubs were consulted during the planning stages.

Hugh Barr, who is also deputy chairman of the Tararua-Aorangi Huts Committee, says it is pleasing to see the developing partnership between DOC and clubs that maintain public huts in the Tararua and Aorangi Ranges, and the significant improvements in condition and safety that the Government funds have achieved. ENDS

For more information please contact Wayne Boness, +64 4 296 1112

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