Matemateaonga Track

The Matemateaonga Track is generally considered a medium-difficulty multi-day hike. HiiKER lists it at 35.31 km with 1,118 m of elevation gain, while DOC describes the route as usually taking 3 to 5 days one way through remote Whanganui National Park. The terrain follows an old road line for much of the route, but mud, slips, and windfall can make progress slower after bad weather.

The most common direction is from Kohi Saddle at the end of Upper Mangaehu Road, reached from SH 43 at Strathmore east of Stratford. The track then runs east across the Matemateāonga Range to the Whanganui River near Puketotara Hut, making it a point-to-point trip rather than a circuit. That means transport needs to be organized for the river end.

Yes. The Matemateaonga Track is not a loop, so transport is normally needed at the finish on the Whanganui River. DOC notes that jet boat or canoe transport must be pre-arranged for the river end, and the usual road access is via Kohi Saddle near Stratford. Public transit options are limited, so most walkers use a private vehicle, shuttle, or taxi to the trailhead and pre-book river pickup at the far end.

Overnight stays on the Matemateaonga Track are usually planned around the backcountry huts on the route, including Ōmaru Hut, Pōuri Hut, Ngāpurua Hut, and Puketōtara Hut. DOC classifies these as serviced huts and says hut tickets or a Backcountry Hut Pass are required for overnight stays. Water at the huts is collected from the roof and should be boiled, filtered, or treated if there is any doubt about purity.

Pōuri Hut is no longer available for overnight use. DOC reported that the 12-bunk hut was destroyed by fire on December 11, 2025, and in May 2026 confirmed the site had been cleaned up and a water collector installed. Anyone planning to stay between Ōmaru Hut and Ngāpurua Hut now needs to carry their own shelter for that section.

Hunting is permitted in most places around the Matemateaonga Track through much of the year, but it is regulated. DOC states that hunters need to check exclusion dates, zones, and any special conditions for hunting with dogs, and a printed hunting permit must be carried at all times. That makes it important to confirm current access rules before setting out.

The Kaiwhakauka Track is not the same trail as the Matemateaonga Track, but both are in Whanganui National Park and are often researched together for longer backcountry trips. Kaiwhakauka forms part of the Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track system, a separate 35.5 to 40 km route that links with the Bridge to Nowhere area and the Whanganui River. Matemateaonga instead runs from Kohi Saddle across the range toward Puketotara Hut and the river.

Yes. DOC publishes a Matemateāonga Track brochure and map PDF for the route. It shows key places including Kohi Saddle, Ōmaru Hut, Pōuri Hut, Ngāpurua Hut, Puketōtara Hut, Mt Humphries, and the Whanganui River, but DOC also notes that the brochure map is not to scale and is not suitable for navigation. For on-trail navigation, a proper topographic map or offline mapping is the safer choice.