Te Urewera and Lake Waikaremoana will reopen and welcome back visitors next month.
Te Urewera's scenic Lake Waikaremoana is popular with walkers and fishers. Photo: 123rf
The board of Te Urewera shut the protected area in August when the country went into alert level 4 Covid-19 restrictions, to protect vulnerable local communities. The decision also gave time to prepare for the arrival of new variants of the virus, including raising vaccination rates.
Lake Waikaremoana will reopen to visitors on Waitangi Day, and all tracks, huts and campgrounds including the Great Walk, will be open from the 14 February.
Te Urewera Board chair Tāmati Kruger acknowledged those people who had missed out on coming to the area during the closure.
"We remain grateful for the patience and friendship demonstrated during the past months by the many people who love Te Urewera.
"Tūhoe and Te Urewera Board acknowledge the sacrifice of those who have respected the closure, despite foregoing family occasions, regular visits, and annual events such as the Waikaremoana fishing competition."
Kruger said health and safety of the Tūhoe communities remains paramount during spread of the Omicron variant.
"Anxiety about the new strain of Covid-19 remains, but considering the role of Te Urewera as a unique place of recreation, enjoyment, learning and spiritual reflection to the public who have played their part, and the values of manaakitanga (welcoming), it is the Board's decision Te Urewera should be reopened."
However, Kruger asked those visiting Te Urewera to come with respect.
In 2014 Tūhoe's homeland Te Urewera was acknowledged as an identity and legal entity. The iwi cherishes its role as hosts and kaitiaki (stewards) of a living place.
But Kruger said last year some visitors had been destructive, and the reopening came with a reminder to manuhiri (visitors) to act responsibly.
"Some huts were left in a shocking state by a minority of guests in the winter season. We discovered vandalism, including the removal of water faucets from the hut atop Mount Panekire, a poor welcome for trampers..."
"While there is little we can do to prevent weather damage to tracks and tree falls, there are things everyone can do to respect Te Urewera and ensure they are not hurting the environment or ruining the experience for others."
He asked visitors to plan to pack out what they bring in, to avoid bringing plastic, and to check boats are clean before going onto the lake.
