The Waiau Hut, which has been facilitated by an anonymous donor, will officially open this Saturday, January 27.

Trampers crossing the Waiau Pass between Nelson Lakes National Park and St James Conservation Area will find the new six-bunk Waiau Hut a welcome sight at the end of their 15km trek.

The new hut, in St James Conservation Area, replaces the basic two-bunk Caroline Creek Bivvy, and was made possible by an inspired benefactor and the New Zealand National Parks & Conservation Foundation.

The donor, a keen recreational tramper, wishes to remain anonymous until the hut's official opening this Saturday, January 27. He said he wanted to give something back to the country's world-class Department of Conservation hut network, as well as the Te Araroa Trail initiative.

"I have been tramping in New Zealand for 40 years and used the hut system extensively," he said. "This is my way to thank all involved. I'm also a fan of long distance tramping and the Te Araroa Trail is such a fantastic initiative that I particularly wanted to contribute to this project by funding a new hut where it would be most needed."

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The sponsor approached the New Zealand National Parks & Conservation Foundation to fund and manage a suitable project. The Foundation is an independent charitable trust which promotes and provides opportunities for private philanthropy to contribute to approved conservation projects on public conservation lands as well as private or trust lands throughout New Zealand.

Trust chair Denis Marshall said the Waiau Hut proposal fitted the donor's criteria for funding and a new hut was a high priority given the increasing popularity of Te Araroa and the need for safer accommodation after crossing the 1870m Waiau Pass.

"The Trust is honoured to have managed the donor's funds which have made this beautiful new hut possible, while also providing safer accommodation for trampers in this harsh back-country," he said.

DOC's Eastern South Island Director Andy Roberts said he was not aware of any DOC huts being funded solely by a living individual, although there have been a few huts funded through a legacy such as the Creswick Flat Hut in South Westland.

"We are always extremely grateful and appreciative of public involvement and contributions to our extensive hut and track network. In North Canterbury alone, we have nine recreation clubs, associations and individuals maintaining and repairing tracks and huts in partnership with DOC."

The official hut opening will be held on Saturday 27 January. It involves a 4WD trip over Maling Pass in St James Conservation Area, followed by a 5 km walk to the new hut on the Waiau Pass Track. Further information on the Waiau Hut information page on the DOC website.