Hut work nearly finished

An old musterers' hut near Lake Wanaka is being restored for public use.

The Wanaka Faces Hut is in the Matatiaho Conservation Area, which was created when Glen Dene Station went through tenure review in 2007.

At the time, the Department of Conservation deemed the hut, which was built about 1960, to be derelict and surplus to its requirements.

About two years ago, the New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association's Upper Clutha branch sought Doc's permission to restore and maintain the hut.

The work is expected to be completed later this year.

The wooden hut is 3m x 3m and has a fireplace.

It is 21km from Wanaka and, due to the terrain, is most easily accessed by boat.

Surrounded by native scrub, the hut is not visible from the lake.

Doc conservation partnerships manager Phil Tisch said the renovations would make the hut ''an inviting destination for day users and overnight visitors''.

''Working through the process with enthusiastic NZDA club members to reach this outcome has been satisfying. Their hands-on efforts to improve this facility means more people can get out and benefit from it.''

Hunters must apply for a permit from Doc to hunt in the Matatiaho Conservation Area, which is home to red deer, fallow deer and pigs. Hunters must also win a ballot to hunt there during the roar, in March and April.

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