Te Maire Loop Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Walk through a fine example of the podocarp forest that once covered much of the central North Island. It's a suitable track for kids.

This DOC directory entry covers Te Maire Loop Track in Manawatu-Whanganui, within Whanganui National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 2 hr
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The loop track takes around 2 hours and covers only a small part of the 420 ha reserve. This walk is suitable for people of all ages and has a stream crossing near the start of the track.

Te Maire Stream flows through the reserve and is usually low enough to cross without getting your feet wet, but can rise rapidly with heavy rain. Take care and check the weather conditions.

The track leads through stream terraces then slowly climbs through majestic old forest onto a ridgeline where it gently loops back to the stream crossing.

There is a toilet near the start of the track. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended

Keep your eyes and ears open for all the common forest birds including tūī, kārearea/falcon, korimako/bellbird, and toutouwai/robin.

Getting there

From Taumarunui, take State Highway 43 from the north side of the Ongarue River Bridge. The Te Maire Bridge over the Whanganui River is 12 km south of Taumarunui Hospital. Across the bridge follow Paparoa Road to Te Maire Valley Road, signposted "Whanganui National Park, Te Maire". The entrance to the track is located around 700 m along this road.

Know before you go

Weather forecast

Check the weather forecast before heading out: Whanganui National Park weather forecast – NIWA website. Cold temperatures and heavy rain are common – the weather can change fast.

Track safety information

• Stream crossing – Do not attempt to cross the stream in high water flow or during rain as water levels may raise rapidly. Be prepared to turn back or wait for conditions to improve.

• Weather conditions – track users are urged to observe the weather conditions and seek advice as wet, slippery conditions may be experienced at times, particularly during winter and early spring.

Additional safety information:

• Fires – fires are not permitted in Whanganui National Park.

• Communications – this area is remote with no cell phone coverage. It is recommended that you carry an emergency alert device (e.g. PLB/Spot tracker).

• Dropoffs – there are multiple dropoffs on this track. Care should be taken while passing these.

• Windfalls – there may be windfalls on the track after weather events. Care should be taken while going around the fallen trees.

• Water – during hot dry periods, extra water should be carried. Treat or boil all water before drinking.

• Wasps – wasps are a known hazard and are particularly common from January until May. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.

Nature and conservation

Te Maire Reserve is a fine example of the podocarp forest that once covered most of the Central North Island. Te Maire sits within the Whanganui National park which protects one of the largest remaining stretches of this forest type in New Zealand.

It is home to a mosaic of native trees including rimu, miro, tōtara, kahikatea, mataī, rewarewa, hīnau and tawa. It is also home to the rare subterranean plant Thismia rodwayi which due to the fact that it can only be found when flowering is rarely seen.

There is a vast array of native birds in the reserve including robins, kererū, grey warbler, shining cuckoo and long tailed cuckoo. There are several varieties of skinks and geckos and an abundance of invertebrates and freshwater insects. In the Te Maire stream there is tuna, bully and kōura, in recent times there have been lamprey, kōkopu and black flounder.

Threats to nature

DOC as part of its management of Te Maire undertakes regular pest control. The forest suffers from the destructive effects of pests with goats browsing the forest floor and possums eating the forest canopy.

Goats and possums have a major impact on the vegetation and DOC manages these numbers through various methods of hunting and laying bait stations. Stoats, ferrets, rats, mice, feral cats, hedgehogs and magpies also threaten native wildlife in the reserve.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.