Whakarewarewa Forest operations
Harvest notification
Road line salvage (harvesting and skid construction) has started for the summer harvest period in Whakarewarewa Forest.
Impact on trails and roads remains as the operation continues, with some sections of trail being impacted permanently as we create space for future skid sites.
Monday 8th December – Friday 12th December: The crew will continue with harvest on Red Tank Road. Load out and a tidy up down The Wash Road will continue before all focus moves to Red Tank Road, with the excavator ensuring the roads and skid areas are safe for users after hours.
Monday 15th December – Wednesday 17th December: Load out of remaining logs from Nursery Road and Red Tank Road.
Operational hours for the logging crew will be 5:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday. Stop/Go and appropriate closures/diversions will be in place as required. All operations will cease for the year by 4:00pm on Wednesday 17th December, all ready for the Christmas/New Year period.
Several roads and trails will be impacted by this operation, these being:
- Roads: Nursery Road, Red Tank Road, The Wash Road, Larch Road, Spruce Road
- Mountain Bike Trails: Mad If You Don’t, Dragons Tail, Be Rude Not To, Paddy’s Run (early exit), Pig Track, Lion Trail
- Running/Walking Trails: Purple Track/Black Track @ cardiac stairs, mixed use trails as above
- Horse Riding Trail: Orange Horse Track
We request that forest users please use caution in the area, obey all signage, instructions, restrictions and respect the traffic controllers – they are there for your safety.