The Mangahuka hut is in the middle of the Tararua Forest Park, on the ridge running north from Mt Hector to Mt Crawford. It is above the bushline and sits besides a mountain tarn. The view inspired Sabina de Rooy, who wrote this poem in August 2006.
What\'s you story?
Contributed by Sabina de Rooy of Lower Hutt.
Shimmering water
Glowing red
Early sun rising
On this alpine lake
Freezing tussock
Glowing golden
Sunlight arms gently spread
Frozen grass tips melt
The old Mangahuka hut lightens
Internal framework
Creaking floorboards and bones
Bunk beds still warm
Here I stand
On the edge of this lake
Edge of this ridge
High above the world
I see the land lie below
Glimmer to life
Farmland green and small
Animal specks and toy buildings
As I turn back
The clouds clear and I see
Back country and broken land
My route holds more rocks and ridges
My eyes soar like an eagle
Across the land
And today
My legs will carry me there
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
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