A shelter existed on the Desert Road side of Mt Ruapehu from the 1880's. A rudimentary road was put through from Tokaanu to Waiouru in 1893 and the following year GR Allen established a camp at Waihohonu for tourists. It is not known what happened to this camp or if any structure was built of permanent materials and in its annual report for 1902 the Tourist and Health Resorts Department mentioned the need for some form of accommodation between Tokaanu and Waiouru.
As a result, construction of Waihohonu Hut commenced possibly in late 1903 and was completed in 1904. It was purported to have been built under the supervision of an engineer named Maxwell using pitsawn timber hauled by a bullock team from Pihanga. Conceding to Edwardian social requirements, it was built with two bunk rooms so that men and women were separated. A hut at Ketetahi Springs on the flanks of Mt Tongariro was built at the same time. A bridle track eventually linked these two huts.
Waihohonu Hut enjoyed considerable use in its first few years of existence. The Desert Road route was part of the fashionable, if arduous, Wanganui to Taupo or even Rotorua trek via Pipiriki which took about five days. Tourists travelling in stage coaches often stopped overnight or for refreshment.
With the completion of the main trunk railway in 1908 tourist use of the hut dropped somewhat, but from 1913 a new use was found for the hut. In July that year it was used as the base for the first recreational alpine skiing expedition in New Zealand. The skiers were William Mead and Bernard Drake who founded the Ruapehu Ski Club. Notice of the club's inaugural meeting was posted in Waihohonu Hut and the meeting was held here in August 1914. The Ruapehu Ski Club was New Zealand's first ski club and was a driving force in the opening up of Tongariro National Park to visitors.
The hut remained the principal base for skiing on Mt Ruapehu until better access to the ski fields of Whakapapa Valley in the early 1920's transferred interest to that side of the mountain. Money due to be spent on an extension to Waihohonu Hut in 1918 was diverted to putting a bullock track through to where the Chateau Tongariro and Whakapapa Village now stand. Nevertheless, the hut remained a popular base for hikers and climbers until it was superseded by a new hut in 1968. It continued to be used until 1979 when its overnight use was discouraged and has since been maintained by Tongariro National Park staff. The Department of Conservation has plans for its permanent preservation.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Able to Visit
List Number
7098
Date Entered
17th December 1993
Date of Effect
17th December 1993
City/District Council
Taupo District
Region
Waikato Region
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Able to Visit
List Number
7098
Date Entered
17th December 1993
Date of Effect
17th December 1993
City/District Council
Taupo District
Region
Waikato Region
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Waihohonu Hut was the first hut built for recreational purposes in New Zealand's first national park, Tongariro National Park, and is the earliest known extant example of a recreational mountain hut in New Zealand. It saw the inaugural meeting of New Zealand's first ski club, the Ruapehu Ski Club. In addition to its significance in the history of alpine recreation in New Zealand, Waihohonu Hut has significance in the history of New Zealand tourism. From the late nineteenth century the Tourism and Health Resorts Department took an active role in the control and promotion of tourism as well as the provision of accommodation and services and Waihohonu Hut is an early example of a state-erected tourism building.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: Waihohonu Hut is the earliest known extant example of a recreational mountain hut in New Zealand. It is modest and utilitarian and having had no major modifications is typical of early mountain hut accommodation in New Zealand. The basic design of a two-roomed hut with two entrances was typical until c1930 when single roomed huts became the norm. The use of totara framing, corrugated iron sheathing and pumice wall infill and flooring reflects the difficulty imposed by the remote location. In particular the use of pumice as a building material is rare of not unique and, given that it is abundant in the area, is a practical and innovative response to the extreme alpine climate. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: Waihohonu Hut is surrounded by mature forest and has a clearing directly in front. With its remote location between the peaks of Ruapehu and Ngaurohoe the hut cannot be considered a landmark. It does, however, have a spectacular view of Ngaurohoe.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Waihohonu Hut was the first hut built for recreational purposes in New Zealand's first national park, Tongariro National Park, and is the earliest known extant example of a recreational mountain hut in New Zealand. It saw the inaugural meeting of New Zealand's first ski club, the Ruapehu Ski Club. In addition to its significance in the history of alpine recreation in New Zealand, Waihohonu Hut has significance in the history of New Zealand tourism. From the late nineteenth century the Tourism and Health Resorts Department took an active role in the control and promotion of tourism as well as the provision of accommodation and services and Waihohonu Hut is an early example of a state-erected tourism building.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: Waihohonu Hut is the earliest known extant example of a recreational mountain hut in New Zealand. It is modest and utilitarian and having had no major modifications is typical of early mountain hut accommodation in New Zealand. The basic design of a two-roomed hut with two entrances was typical until c1930 when single roomed huts became the norm. The use of totara framing, corrugated iron sheathing and pumice wall infill and flooring reflects the difficulty imposed by the remote location. In particular the use of pumice as a building material is rare of not unique and, given that it is abundant in the area, is a practical and innovative response to the extreme alpine climate. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: Waihohonu Hut is surrounded by mature forest and has a clearing directly in front. With its remote location between the peaks of Ruapehu and Ngaurohoe the hut cannot be considered a landmark. It does, however, have a spectacular view of Ngaurohoe.
Construction Details
Start Year
1904
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1906
Type
Modification
Description
Chimney erected
Start Year
1927
Type
Modification
Description
December - Floor boards installed
Start Year
1928
Type
Modification
Description
January - Two bunks removed and rebuilt. Shelves fitted. Hood over door and wooden platform in front of door installed. (Platform later removed, date unknown)
Start Year
1953
Type
Modification
Description
Refurbished
Type
Modification
Description
Chimney replaced at least twice
Construction Materials
Walls and roof are timber framed using pitsawn totara and have corrugated iron sheathing. The wall cavity is filled with pumice for insulation. A pumice floor has been covered by tongue and groove boards.
Notable Features
Pumice wall infill and flooring.
Construction Details
Start Year
1904
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1906
Type
Modification
Description
Chimney erected
Start Year
1927
Type
Modification
Description
December - Floor boards installed
Start Year
1928
Type
Modification
Description
January - Two bunks removed and rebuilt. Shelves fitted. Hood over door and wooden platform in front of door installed. (Platform later removed, date unknown)
Start Year
1953
Type
Modification
Description
Refurbished
Type
Modification
Description
Chimney replaced at least twice
Construction Materials
Walls and roof are timber framed using pitsawn totara and have corrugated iron sheathing. The wall cavity is filled with pumice for insulation. A pumice floor has been covered by tongue and groove boards.
Notable Features
Pumice wall infill and flooring.
ARCHITECT/ENGINEER/DESIGNER: The designer of Waihohonu Hut is not known, but it may have been constructed under the supervision of an engineer called Maxwell. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: Waihohonu Hut is a simple 18m² rectangular hut with a gabled roof and adjoining chimney. The principal elevation has a centrally located door sheltered by a corrugated iron hood and flanked on either side by a four-paned window. There are no other windows. At one end of the building is a second door and at the other end is the chimney which has external timber framing. The interior consists of two bunkrooms. Walls are lined with corrugated iron and the ceiling has a boarded sarking. Some tables, and in the bigger room six bunks, remain in the hut. Both the interior and exterior have been inscribed or painted with many names and initials of visitors who have passed through the hut, and there are wooden plaques hanging above the fireplace which date from the 1920's and carry prominent names.
ARCHITECT/ENGINEER/DESIGNER: The designer of Waihohonu Hut is not known, but it may have been constructed under the supervision of an engineer called Maxwell. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: Waihohonu Hut is a simple 18m² rectangular hut with a gabled roof and adjoining chimney. The principal elevation has a centrally located door sheltered by a corrugated iron hood and flanked on either side by a four-paned window. There are no other windows. At one end of the building is a second door and at the other end is the chimney which has external timber framing. The interior consists of two bunkrooms. Walls are lined with corrugated iron and the ceiling has a boarded sarking. Some tables, and in the bigger room six bunks, remain in the hut. Both the interior and exterior have been inscribed or painted with many names and initials of visitors who have passed through the hut, and there are wooden plaques hanging above the fireplace which date from the 1920's and carry prominent names.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
26th May 1993
Information Sources
Archives New Zealand (Wgtn)
Archives New Zealand (Wellington)
Cowan, 1927
James Cowan, 'The Tongariro National Park, New Zealand' Wellington, Tongariro National Park Board, 1927.
Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation
Graham, 1963
J.C. Graham, Ruapehu: Tribute to a Mountain. Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1963.
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
School of Architecture Library
School of Architecture Library, Auckland
Parsons, 1982
R. Parsons and B. Williams, The Summer Book, The Port Nicholson Press, 1982
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes text from the original Proposal for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
26th May 1993
Information Sources
Archives New Zealand (Wgtn)
Archives New Zealand (Wellington)
Cowan, 1927
James Cowan, 'The Tongariro National Park, New Zealand' Wellington, Tongariro National Park Board, 1927.
Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation
Graham, 1963
J.C. Graham, Ruapehu: Tribute to a Mountain. Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1963.
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
School of Architecture Library
School of Architecture Library, Auckland
Parsons, 1982
R. Parsons and B. Williams, The Summer Book, The Port Nicholson Press, 1982
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes text from the original Proposal for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Tramping/Mountain Hut
Themes
Sport
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Tramping/Mountain Hut
Themes
Sport
Location
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