Amalgamated Helicopters is supporting the restoration of this popular hunting hut in the central Tararua's.The hut was built in 1968 and replaced the original Dorset Ridge Hut built by the Internal Affairs to accomodate deercullers and was located on the next spur upstream .

Dorset was scheduled for removal by DOC but some keen Horewhenua deerstalkers (Graham Wilton & Dave McLean) have combined with AHNZ to upgrade the hut to DOC standards so that it can be retained as a hunting and tramping accommodation.

We will update this website with progress on this project.

The original Dorset Ridge Hut was located on the next spur off Dorset Ridge upstream  of the existing hut. The hut was one of the original huts built during the days of the Department of Internal Affairs (IAD) deer culling operations.

Design was similar to the other two IAD huts in the Tararua's, Andersons and Bannister Basin.

The hut provided accomodation for IAD and also later on, NZ Forest Service cullers until the existing hut was built in 1968.

Cullers awaiting the arrival of an airdrop got a bit of a surprise when the pilot dropping timber and supplies by parachute landed his load right on the hut, causing a fair bit of damage.  (below is the hut roof as discovered by NZFS hunter Ted Smith).

The new Dorset Ridge hut April 1968

The new hut replaced the IAD hut that wasl ocated on the next spur upstream from the current site. This was thought to be a much better position for space, sun and firewood. Paul Gush, a culler in the Tararuas built the hut with asssitance from Brian Barningham Simpson. The following photos show the hut under construction and also the interior of the completed hut.

below: The floor goes down

below: The framing is completed.

Below: The cooking bench area

Below: The Wood Stove

DOC hunter Steve Miers and dog team at Dorset in 1987. Hunter spent 12 day hunting trips based in ex NZ Forest Service S70 huts to hunt goats in the Forest Park. 

More to come.....

Photo - Dorset Ridge Hut Oct 2007 prior to the renovation project

THE PROJECT BEGINS

 On the 2nd of Feb 08 the materials arrived at AHNZL base, AHNZL Staff Jason, Jarod & Andy along with project builders Dave Mclean & Graham Wilton carefully prepare and weigh each load, the materials made up into there packets are then reloaded on to the truck and transported to the Waingawa Rd End where they will be flown (weather depending) the next day

Below are project builders Dave and Graham

The 3rd of Feb the weather was a bit suspect however improved as the morning went on and the flying  of the materials was able to begin. Below are photos of the materials arriving at Dorset Ridge Hut from the Waingawa Road End (Many thanks to Chris & Lisa Tait for allowing us to use there property to fly from) One last look at the interior before renovations begin

The first of 12 loads safely arrives

AHNZL Staff Jarod unhooks another load

The new fire place is unloaded and carried into the hut

The new toilet slowly makes its way over the Broken Axe Pinnacles across  Dorset Creek and.........

past the photographer to gently land on site (phew)

Yet another load is safely delivered by AHNZL Pilot Jason Diedrichs