Tuhoe back-country hut debate: ‘Time will tell if it was the right decision’

"Decommissioning" of the other huts began in October this year when the Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua Trust (TUT) ordered contractors to start burning them down.

It's estimated at least 20 of the huts have gone.

Debate over the loss has loomed large in media reports, and there's been fiery discussion. However, one passionate outdoorsman, Ben Piggot, says while it's "a significant loss for back-country heritage and huts, it's important to have an open mind".

Piggot has backpacked into many of the huts over the years, and recently shared his collection of images of these characteristic back-country shelters to an online tramping site.

In an accompanying post, Piggot said it had been "a real journey and privilege" travelling through Te Urewera to these places.

"It is a special ngahere with value to many manuhiri and, of course, Tūhoe — it's their rohe.

"These huts have all played a part in the conservation and recreation story, but their time is at an end, with decommissioning planned to be finished by December.

"The next chapter will be interesting, to see the future recreation opportunities and plans to protect the biodiversity of Te Urewera as per the Te Urewera Act," Piggott said.

"It's a very dynamic and tricky place to try to understand — not easily done from media or Facebook comments," he said.

He encouraged people to get out for a walk to truly see and understand the beauty of Te Urewera for themselves.

"Time will tell if the decisions now being made are truly to benefit Te Urewera and her biodiversity, or for the benefit of people."

- Gisborne Herald