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The Department of Conservation has completed the sale of Waikaremoana Holiday Park to Tūhoe iwi authority Te Uru Taumatua, marking another step in the iwi’s stewardship of Te Urewera and its visitor experiences.
Located on Māori freehold land, the holiday park serves as a gateway to Lake Waikaremoana and the Waikaremoana Great Walk. The transfer follows more than a year of work between DOC and Te Uru Taumatua to ensure a smooth transition, with bookings and public access remaining unchanged.
Te Uru Taumatua chief executive Kirsti Luke says the holiday park will continue operating while complementing future investment and new visitor experiences in Te Urewera.
“This is a place where people can come to experience nature differently – where we are part of the forest, not separate, and where visitors can enter the home of Tūhoe and feel at home themselves.”
Luke says the holiday park strengthens visitors’ connection with Tūhoe and Te Urewera, building on the cultural experiences already offered along the Waikaremoana Great Walk.
DOC deputy director-general regional operations Henry Weston says the sale reflects the strong partnership developed between DOC and Te Uru Taumatua since Te Urewera became a legal entity in 2014.
“The holiday park is in need of new investment; something Te Uru Taumatua is much better placed to deliver.”
The sale does not affect ownership of the land, which remains Māori freehold, or public access to Lake Waikaremoana. Bookings for the holiday park will continue through the DOC website while operational management transitions to Te Uru Taumatua.
