DOC Admits Harwoods Hole Track Not Legally Closed — But Misleading Signage and Website Notice Remain
UPDATE as at 13 March, 2026: Following our public call for DOC to change its closure notice for Harwood’s Hole in Abel Tasman National Park, we are pleased to report that the notice has now been removed from DOC’s website. On-site signage will also be updated to better reflect the situation: the track will remain open, but it will no longer be maintained. FMC President Megan Dimozantos spoke with Lisa Owen on RNZ this afternoon about the issue. Listen to the full RNZ interview
Federated Mountain Clubs calls on the Department of Conservation to correct illegal closures and restore public access without delay.
Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) has confirmed that, despite Department of Conservation (DOC) signage and its website listing the track to Harwood’s Hole as closed, DOC has acknowledged the track is not legally closed and the public can still access the area.
DOC has confirmed in correspondence with FMC that it has been decided to cease maintenance of the track to Harwoods Hole, not to formally close it. However, as of today, closure signage remains in place at the site and the DOC website continues to list the track as closed.
FMC President Megan Dimozantos says this is unacceptable and reflects a wider pattern of inappropriate track closures across the conservation estate.
“Legislation sets the bar for closures on public conservation land quite high for a good reason, and that is to prevent inappropriate closures or loss of public access.”
“This example, and others we have currently flagged with DOC, set a dangerous precedent for broad and illegal closures across the conservation estate,” says Megan Dimozantos.
“We are calling on DOC to replace closure signage with accurate risk warnings, both on-site and online.”
“We understand DOC’s concern about the risks at Harwoods Hole, and misinformation circulating on social media about it. But closure is not the answer. Given DOCs concerns, its lack of consultation with the local tramping, caving and search and rescue community prior to its actions is also a real concern”.
Image: Bee Fradis
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