Watching paint dry is better in the bush

Don Herron —  24/08/2015

Haurangi Hut in the Rimutaka Forest Park received some tender loving care from DOC Wellington staff recently, with the help of paint and supplies from Dulux.

Haurangi Hut exterior.

Haurangi Hut

Haurangi Hut is one of six huts within the Orongorongo Valley. It’s considered one of seven easy-access huts in the Wellington/Kapiti region, located 35 kilometres from the city and accessed by a three-hour walk on the Orongorongo and Big Bend tracks.

In preparation for the busy summer season, DOC staff teamed up with Dulux to give Haurangi Hut a fresh coat of paint.

Dulux supplied the paint, brushes and other miscellaneous tools. DOC’s Wellington team provided the labour.

It was all hands on deck bright and early, with the first job being to get the fire roaring to warm up the hut.

Next, pictures and fittings were removed from the walls and the surface was lightly sanded in preparation for several coats of paint.

The huts in the Rimutaka Forest Park are a popular destination for getaways, so it’s important that we maintain them to a high standard. The fresh paint from Dulux gave this hut a well-deserved makeover,” says Senior Ranger for Recreation Kieran Brocklehurst.

DOC ranger Daryl Stephens painting the interior of Haurangi Hut.

Ranger Daryl Stephens paints the finer details

Thanks to the many staff helping out, all of the painting work was finished in time for dinner.

The huts in the Orongorongo Valley have often been considered ‘luxurious’ bush accommodation. They have full kitchen facilities (except Boar Inn) and each hut can be booked on a nightly basis.

Haurangi Hut is one of the most popular and is booked nearly every weekend of the year, especially during the summer months and summer school holidays.

Rangers Daryl and Mark painting the walls inside Haurangi Hut.

Rangers Daryl and Mark get stuck into the interior paint job

Haurangi Hut is now ready for the summer, get in quick and book your stay online.


DOC and Dulux New Zealand have a three-year partnership to paint and protect DOC huts and other recreation and historic assets, and to support the Kea Conservation Trust.

Don Herron

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Don works in the Poneke/Wellington Department of Conservation Visitor Centre in Wellington city. Don loves tramping, riding his mountain bike, travelling and planting natives in his garden at home.