Punga Hut / Miro Valley Hut

Super-secret hut in the northern Tararuas.

Possibly the most interesting hut in the Tararuas. Built in 1958-1959 from horizontally laid punga trunks over a locally cut hardwood frame. The roof is corrogated iron and perspex. The hut is weathertight, features 4 bunks (sacking) and a wood-burning stove.

Probably the biggest charm of this hut is how hard it is to find. So in respect for the people who maintain it and love it for its serenity, I'm not going to give it's location. I hope others can follow this lead - we can only imagine what will happen to this gem if DoC are forced to recognize it's existence and either close it or 'upgrade' it to DoC standard. For those interested you could do worse than make a trip to North Mangahao Biv and read the notes in the hut book. With some good navigation skills you can make it from there to here in a couple of hours.