Temporary closure for North Taranaki Visitor Centre

Date:  22 April 2025

DOC’s Acting Taranaki Operations Manager Phil Melgren says the visitor centre building was identified as needing replacement several years ago, due to its age and condition. Through an agreement between DOC and Te Atiawa, the iwi will lead on demolition of the existing building and construction of the new facility.

Phil says the current visitor centre will close at 3.30pm on 27 April 2025 - at the end of the current school holidays.

“The visitor centre will be closed for a minimum of three days during the transition period. A DOC staff member will be on site to provide information to visitors.”

The temporary visitor centre building is on site and is being readied to be opened on 2 May. It is in the upper car park along with new visitor toilets.  The temporary visitor centre and toilets have been designed with ramps to be fully accessible.

Phil says the temporary visitor is expected to operate for two years while the new facility is constructed. It will have the same opening hours - 8.30 am to 3.30 pm seven days a week - with the same services for information, hut tickets and some retail offering, particularly gear to help visitors keep safe and warm on the maunga.

Demolition of the old visitor centre will start in the middle of May. The first thing visitors will see is some vegetation clearing and fencing going in place.

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