Mangahao Flats Hut
Mangahao Flats Hut is a Department of Conservation managed standard backcountry hut in Tararua Forest Park. It’s a 16-bunk hut in the Wellington/Kāpiti region, managed by the Manawatū Tramping and Skiing Club; no bookings are required and use is first-come, first-served for the beds.
On-site facilities include untreated drinking water, a fireplace, mattresses, and pit latrines. To stay overnight, you need a Standard Hut Ticket for each night (put it in the honesty box at the hut); an alternative is a Backcountry Hut Pass that covers unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12-month period.
Access is by road off SH57 at Shannon. Follow road signs to the Mangaore Power Village for about 5 km and past the Mangahao Hydro Electric Power Station, then continue up a winding metal road past the Tokomaru No 3 and Mangahao No 2 reservoirs to the Top No 1 Reservoir dam.