Wellington

Matiu/Somes Island Campsite is closed.  This is a long term alert. 

Graces Stream Campsite is permanently closed. 

DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter in this area on 11 and 23 March 2026.  A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080 . View the distribution map (PDF, 2749K).  View the pesticide summary map

DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter near this area on 11 and 23 March and 19 May 2026.  A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080 . View the distribution map (PDF, 2749K).  View the pesticide summary map

We plan to distribute toxic bait pellets containing 1080 by helicopter on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May, depending on the weather. Tararua Forest Park will remain open. You are advised to avoid the area on the days of the operation. Once the bait has been distributed, it’s not safe to hunt for food and have your dog in this area for up to 8 months. Warning signs and this web alert will be removed once the area is safe again.  1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.

We distributed toxic bait pellets containing 1080 by helicopter on 19 May 2026. A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080 . This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.

DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter near this area on 11 and 23 March 2026. Taraua Forest Park will remain open. A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080 . View the distribution map (PDF, 2749K).  View the pesticide summary map

The fireplace at Parawai Lodge is broken and should not be used.

A section of the Ōrongorongo Track at Jacob’s Ladder has been rerouted due to the risk of an imminent collapse. The slip cannot be seen from the track. The reroute is well signposted. Turn back if you find yourself on a section of rough, uneven track with deep cracks. The rerouted track is a temporary tramping track with some large, unformed steps. Jacob’s Ladder is the area where the track descends steeply down to the Ōrongorongo River Valley. This is about five minutes before the curved bridge when travelling from the Catchpool car park end. This is a long term alert.

Ungulate (goats, deer, pigs) control work will take place from January to July 2026. The operation will include both aerial shooting and ground hunting with indicator dogs, thermal drone assistance as well as aerial surveillance and trail cameras for monitoring. The operation is shown on the map in the solid pink and solid yellow buffer zones. Tararua Forest Park ungulate operation area map (PDF, 137K)