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Welcome!
My son John exploring the bush behind our hutI'm very excited to welcome you to the Orongorongo Club's new blog! The Orongorongo Valley holds a special place in my heart - I first stayed in the valley...
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Tahora - 40 years on
Owner: Maurice & Marg Mitchinson | Built: 1970/71When Tahora turned a respectable 40 years old in 2011 I sat down with Dad to record Tahora’s story… Dad started exploring the Orongorongo Valley in...
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Orongorongo Club new website
In 1978 the Orongorongo Club was established by a number of regular users of the valley who shared a common interest in the preservation of the valley’s unique heritage. The club particularly supports...
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A short history of hut building
Baine iti - the oldest hut in the valleyHuts have been built in the Orongorongo Valley since the early 1900s – though they look a little different from today’s modern DOC huts! Early huts were built...
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1930s Tramping Memories
Early trampers in the valley, 1922 (Ian Baine Collection)I spent some time a few years ago researching the tramping history of the valley. I came across Ross Kerr’s files in the National Library and...
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Wildnesss Article
The issue of private huts on public land is a hot topic and an emotive subject for many hut owners and caretakers. One day I'll share my thoughts - maybe once I've prepared a submission on the draft...
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Huts Photo Gallery
In 2012 Allan Sheppard undertook a massive project - photographing 50+ huts in the Orongorongo Valley. The project took him many long weekends and multiple attempts to locate the elusive Wai Whare....
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Tainui Hut - a bygone era
Tainui Hut, John Farrell - 2nd from right, Don Oliver - middle (Amanda Farrell Photo Collection)Tainui Hut Warming 1939 (Ross Kerr Photo Collection)The late Joanna Lane-Taylor was a regular visitor to...
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Nature Deficit Disorder
My son John exploring the bush outside Tahora Hut Ok so it's not a medically recognised disorder yet but it's becoming widely accepted as a real problem. Nature Deficit Disorder refers to a hypothesis...
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Childhood holidays at the Log Cabin in 1953
The Log Cabin, 1950 (Ian Baine Photo Collection) I had hoped to be back sooner but have failed to find inspiration lately so in the meantime, I've transcribed this Evening Post article from 1952 - the...
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