forecast
http://www.metservice.com/mountain/tararua-forest-park
i'd have a go at the northrn range and then go into the valleys for the southern part, town to totara flats and over to the hauherenikau if i was doing a shorman kaitoke
how fit are you? those are rough tracks you're going to do. constant up and down on the ridge tops you'll be changing altitude thousands of metres on some days....
and some of it subject to weather...
this blog has some good photos to give some idea of tararua terrain
so have a look and then think again about the route you're taking for eight days
http://blog.hagephoto.com/2012/11/08/finding-our-inner-kiwi-in-new-zealands-tararua-mountains/
search through the photos here using "tararua" as the search term to get a better look at the terrain before deciding your route
http://tramper.co.nz/?view=search
Just a suggestion.
Day one poads to Te Matawai
Day two Te Matawai to Nichols
Day three Nichols to Aokaparangi Biv
Day four Aokaparangi Biv to Kime Hut
Day Five Kime Hut to Tutuwai Hut
Day Six Tutuwai to Kaitoke
Day Seven rest day
Thanks for the kind suggestions. Have done some parts including Junction Knob to Kime hut and Cone hut to Kaitoke.
Take account all the suggestions I shortened my trip to only 6 days now. Staying Te Matawai, Nichols, Parawai, Renata and Alpha Hut.
Cut out all the loops. Will come back next time.
About "How fit am I"?
Had done Powell-Jumbo loop 1.5 day, Totara Flat 3 days, Tararua Peaks loop 2.5 days. Dusky Track 6 days, Stewart Northern Circuit 8 days, Hunua trail running 60k in 12 hrs.
Had done some off track adventure tramps in Kahurangi NP, Arthur's Pass NP, Aspiring NP, all 8+ days.
