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A clean-up mission at the former Pouri Hut site has marked the final helicopter operation for long-serving Department of Conservation ranger Shane Woolley ahead of his retirement later this month.
The three-day trip into the Matemateāonga Range focused on removing debris from the hut site following the fire that destroyed the hut in December last year.
“We had a good team in there,” Shane says.
“We removed all the burnt iron from the old hut, cleaned up a few trees for safety – it’s all clean and level now, like there was never a hut. We also brought in a water collector, so visitors don’t get caught out.”
End of a 26-year DOC career
Shane says the final mission reflected much of his time working with DOC.
“The three days out there were all hard work and laughter, which is what my time at DOC has been about,” he says.
Shane originally arrived in Pipiriki for what was intended to be a six-month role.
“Then 26 years later…,” he says.
“The place grabs a hold of you, it’s hard to get away from the river. And there’s nothing like this team, you can’t beat these funny, cheeky buggers!”
During his time with DOC, Shane also took part in international firefighting deployments to Canada and Australia.
“Working with DOC gave me the opportunity to deploy internationally to fight fires in Canada, and Australia several times in the last ten years or so,” he says.
“Their fires are huge and angry; I will never forget those life-changing experiences.”
Track users urged to prepare
The Pouri Hut fire on December 11, 2025 destroyed the backcountry hut, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand unable to determine a cause.
Wood burners and cooking equipment were ruled out.
Visitors planning overnight trips along the Matemateāonga Track are being urged to carry tents when travelling between Oamari and Ngapurua huts.
DOC Whanganui says options for a replacement hut are currently being considered.
