Whakarewarewa Forest Access & Closures

Whakarewarewa Forest is a commercial forest and therefore all persons wishing to access this forest must comply with the

Whakarewarewa General Forest Access Rules and Safety Behaviour Regulations.

All access by vehicle requires a permit. Refer- to RECREATIONAL ACCESS PERMITS or BUSINESS/CONTRACTOR ACCESS PERMITS for more information. People who do not follow these rules and requirements could be trespassed.

'Safety Message' for all Recreational Users

  • Please refer to Safety & Risk section for latest 'Safety Warnings'.
  • When entering a commercial forest  please adhere to all road and track closure signs, tapes and instructions and give way to all trucks and machinery at all times.
  • Beware of LOGGING TRUCKS OPERATING - Please give way to, and move to the side of the road for, all heavy vehicles, especially on hills, for your own safety and the safety of trucks and drivers.
  • MTB Tracks in recently logged areas may be passable but please check with the Redwoods Visitor Information Centre or Ride Rotorua Mountain Bike Club for clarification.

Whakrewarewa Forest Information & Safety Maps

 Map to ACCESS & EMERGENCY MEETING POINTS

 Map to 2021 RESTRICTED POISON  areas

Whakarewarewa Commercial Forest Operations & Closures

Please take extreme care, OBEY ALL SIGNAGE, INTRUCTIONS, RESTRICTIONS & ROAD CONTROLS, and respect security officers and traffic controllers, they are there for your safety.

 

whakarewarewa aERIAL operations: 11 March 2024

Timberlands Limited are carrying out aerial operations on Monday 11th March from 7:00am – 11:00am. Please see the attached map for detail on the areas to be treated.

Aerial spraying treating dothistroma is being undertaken by Heli-Resources Ltd who have been contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Timberlands using helicopters. They will follow chemical application and industry best management practices. 

Operational staff will be present to inform of associated road and trail closures. Any closures will be brief while the operation takes place. The forecast is good at this stage, however if this job gets delayed due to weather Timberlands will update as soon as possible.

Appreciate you sharing this to your respective audiences. Please get in touch if there are any queries.

. Please see the attached  map for details. The main

 

Whakarewarewa Recreational Forest Access & Closures

  • NO HUNTING is permitted at any time.
  • Recreational access by foot, horse or bike does not require an access permit. For further road and track information refer to The Redwoods Visitor Centre or Ride Rotorua.
    WARNING: At times there will be commercial forest activities carried out within the forest and for your safety, access into these areas will be prohibited. This will be indicated by signage and hazard tape. Please ensure all signage and instructions are adhered to. On rare occasions, all access to Whakarewarewa Forest may be closed for safety and asset protection reasons. Please respect the forest closure decision an stay out until the forest is reopened. Please refer to the "Timberlands Notice Board" on this page for up to date information on commercial forest activities.
  • For any other activity or access by motorised vehicle an access permit and key is required. Refer to Business/Contractor Access Permits.
  • Refer to The Redwoods for all recreational track management and events.

Unauthorised Activities

  • It has been brought to the attention of TIMBERLANDS Limited (TL) that several unauthorised mountain bike tracks have recently been constructed in Whakarewarewa Forest. The construction of tracks or any other land or vegetation-disturbing activity within Whakarewarewa Forest requires the approval of both the forest manager (TL) and land owner (Central North Island Iwi Holdings Limited).  Presently this can only be obtained through a formal application submitted by the Rotorua Trails Trust. Anyone found undertaking these activities without authority will be trespassed and may face prosecution for willful damage.  Continued unauthorised track construction may jeopardise future track authorisations and ultimately the future of mountain biking in the forest. Please refrain from this activity.

General Information

  • Timberlands Limited is working to minimise the inconvenience for public use of the Whakarewarewa Forest during harvest operations and wishes to thank the public for their patience and cooperation.
  • All harvested areas will be replanted, if possible, in the next planting season.

Whakarewarea Forest Management Plan

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