Public Access - Waiti Stream (Levin)

Can anyone tell me whether public access is tolerated up the Waiti Stream from Gladstaone Road? I am keen to get up into the Camelbacks and have read tramping reports on the web where people have used this route. However, on a recent recce there, I see someone is building something that might be a house by the first fork and there was a pretty unfriendly sign close by the eastern branch of the stream. A long while ago a local told me it was private land but the owner didn't mind respectful usage but even so, don't want to step on any toes.