High in Remutaka Forest Park stands Xanadu Hut. What stories do its walls hold?
Xanadu Hut, also known as Hut 88, is a private retreat. It offers a unique experience in the Wellington region. This hut is not your typical shared space. It is a sole-occupancy hut. Imagine having an entire hut all to yourself.
Let’s step back in time. The Orongorongo Valley has a history of private huts dating back to the 1910s. Wellingtonians built these huts for recreation. Some even used them as cheap accommodation during the Depression. By the 1970s, over 70 huts dotted the riverbanks.
The Department of Conservation, DOC, later tightened its control. In 1988, DOC increased licensing fees. They also insisted on fire regulations and safety standards. These huts fell on conservation land. Red tape became a growing concern.
In the late 1990s, DOC formalized its policy. All privately owned huts would have occupancy licenses until 2050. No new owners could be added. Huts could not be sold. Owners would be responsible for removing the huts after the license expired.
But hut owners had a counter-argument. The huts are an integral part of the valley’s history. The Orongorongo Club formed in 1978 to advocate for the huts. They hoped to influence DOC to change its policies.
Ian Hutchings from the Orongorongo Club emphasized the historical importance. He hoped a historical study would lead to some form of protection. DOC, however, remained doubtful. They believed the huts primarily reflected social history.
The issue isn’t just about the huts. It’s about promoting recreation and conservation. Private huts facilitate these values. They allow more people to enjoy the valley. The huts existed long before DOC acquired the land.
DOC enforces the Conservation Act 1987. This act phases out private accommodation. Inconsistencies exist. Private club huts on Mt Ruapehu have perpetual use arrangements.
Alan and Glennis Sheppard photographed every hut in the valley. Their book, Huts of the Orongorongo Valley, documents these structures. Locating access tracks proved challenging. One hut took three attempts to find.
Taihoa is one such hut. Built in 1963 by a teacher and students, it has stood the test of time. Philip Porritt, one of the students, recalls the early skepticism. The hut has bonded people to the outdoors.
DOC inspects the huts every two years. Maintenance is ongoing work. Owners are aging. A group of people now contribute to Taihoa’s upkeep. Regulations and borer pose challenges.
Porritt believes DOC’s issue is private benefit on public land. The Orongorongo Valley has a high concentration of huts. Some owners’ behavior damages the reputation of the huts.
DOC remains firm. Leases will be maintained for the life of the current owners. Sympathy lies with the hut owners. But control is necessary. Private enterprise in conservation areas can be problematic.
For now, Xanadu Hut stands as a testament to history. It is a private haven in a public space. Remember its story as you explore the Remutaka Forest Park. The hut is a reminder of the ongoing debate between private use and public land. Will Xanadu Hut continue to stand the test of time?