Iron Gate Hut
Iron Gate Hut is a standard 10-bunk hut in Ruahine Forest Park, set beside the Oroua River in the Manawatū/Whanganui area and run by the Department of Conservation. The hut was rebuilt in 2019 (in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force) and sits at about 750 m altitude, using a woodburner for heat and platform bunks for sleeping.
Use is first come, first served—no standard bookings are required—but you need a Standard Hut Ticket for each night (one per person per night), placed in the honesty box at the hut; a Backcountry Hut Pass also covers stays at most standard and serviced huts for a 12-month period. Facilities include a woodburner and a kitchen; the hut has a main access route along the Iron Gate Hut Track from Alice Nash Memorial Lodge, with other access options from Rangiwahia Carpark, Oroua carpark/Kashmir Road (West-East Crossing), or via Ngamoko Range Access Track.