In 1999 the Department of Conservation invited hunters and charter boat operators to a meeting to discuss issues at campsites on hunting blocks on Rakiura. DOC suggested building three sided shelters but hunters held that the only solution was to build a hut that could be secured to ensure the exclusion of vermin such as rats and possums. Clearly, at that time, huts were out of DOC's budget.
A simple design with six bunks was agreed upon. Rakiura Hunter Camps Chartiable Trust was formed with the aims of reducing site degradation and rubbish, improving sanitation, where appropriate providing seperation between hunters and trampers as well as raising funds.
DOC provided startup funding of $10,000 for each of the first two years. Within a year hunters raised an additional $56, 000 and eight huts were built. Twentytwo hunter huts have now been built on Rakiura. Six were built by Trust volunteers on Rakiura Maori Land blocks and today RHCT owns and manages eighteen huts on conservation land hunting blocks. RHCT huts have been built and maintained by hunters for hunters. We are all volunteers and there are no paid employeea.
For more detail Click The History of Rakiura Hunter Camp Trust
HUT MAINTENANCE
The Trust cannot do it all. This is how you can help. Download a hut user checklist
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The Hunter hut on your block is owned and maintained by Rakiura Hunter Camps Charitable Trust. The Trust cannot work without your help.
We ask that each party leader pay a levy of $30 for each member of your party for the length of your stay. (That means hunters and non-hunting members) One combined payment is easiest to manage.
Payments online to Rakiura Hunter Camps Charitable Trust acc. # 06 0925 0320321 00
Please enter Permit Number in "Particlars" and block name in "Reference."
Thank you for your support. Learn more about the Trust Click
Hunter Huts have the following:-
- Bunks & mattresses. All have six bunks except North & South Pegasus (8), Homestead, Martins & Cavalier (4)
- Longdrop Norski Toilet.
- Stainless steel inside bench.
- Wagner Sparky multifuel fire. We recommend parties take their own fuel. (wood and coal) Wood is hard to find at most campsites. These fire do not like wet wood and need the door left adjar for more air till they get hot.
- As of 2025 only Upper Lords hut has a Yukon Pot Belly stove.
- 1000 litre watertank (North Big Glory is only 500l)
- Cat/possum cage trap. PLease do not leave set when you leave.
- Kill Trap. Can be left set when you leave.
- Meat safe capable of holding three boned out deer.
- Outside stainless benchtop for cleaning meat/fish.
Apart from Cavalier and Bosom huts, the interiors all look similar although the bunk configeration may be different. Older huts may have a Yukon pot belly stove but these are gradually being replaced with the Sparky fires shown below.
The trust does not provide:-
Fuel for fire
Saws or Axe.
Spade/shovel
Pots and pans - although some huts have these which have been left by hunters. Take your own and anything you find is a bonus. The Trust has supplied some of these in the past but they seem to develope legs.
We can provide rat poison to parties who contact the Trust prior to their trip.
We recommend you take a little Sugar Soap or Handy Andy & rag for general cleaning.
Moorings. Bosom, Little Glory, South Glory, North Glory, Hapuatuna, Abrahams Bay, Southwest Arm all have moorings. However, these can change quickly and we cannot be confident moorings are safe. Always be prepared to find no mooring and take a suitable alternative.
THIS PAGE IS BEING DEVELOPED.
ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN TO ROLLERS OR WAITUNA RECENTLY AND HAS PICTURES OF THE CAMPSITE PLEASE CONTACT THE TRUST.
Blocks without huts, Campsites only.
MID GLORY 1227357e 4784155n
A small area of flat land just above the high tide mark. There is room for a couple of tents and a cooking area.
SOUTH GLORY 1230503E 4784591N
This campsite is located after a short climb uphill. The bay is sheltered for boats. There is a flatish area with room for half dozen tents. There is a Norski longdrop toilet. Water is from a small creek nearby
To secure your boat and not have to drag it back into the water we recommend this kind of setup with a Kewene anchor
ROLLERS 1217361E 4808212N
Rollers is named for the nasty little waves that have dumped many a party in the water. We do not have any pictures of the campsite and would welcome any from hunters
LUCKY. 1213387E 8814685N. The track begins on near side of the creek in the foreground and the campsite is about 15 mteres from the shore. There is a Norski longdrop toilet at this campsite and room for tents. There is good water in the creek alonside the campsite.
WEST RUGGEDY 1196672E 480954N The main campsite was in a sheltered gully a short climb off the beach but in recent years sand has been spilling in. The framework is still standing so just needs a couple covers. Suggest taking a small spade to remove unwanted sand. There is a Norski longdrop toilet at this site.
Bush camp.. A small area of flat land can be found in the bush up the main track to Waituna. However, it is a fair haul with a lot of gear, it is small and trampers pass through it. It does not have a view.
WAITUNA The only access to Waituna is by Helicopter or foot. To get to the campsite walk on the track off the beach towards Big Hellfire. Then you go about 50ft from the marker sign on the point, look left down toward the creek and you will see a gap in the bush. Cross the creek there and it opens up. Unfortunately the whole flat floods from time to time. Anywone with recent pictures of the sampsite please email to us.
BENSON PEAK Benson Peak hut was removed but the picture is included here as it is probably still a good campsite. LOcated ino the Open Zone directly inland from Big Hellfire Hut is was a popular spot and still holds good numbers of deer.
