The week before Easter (2009) we walked the
Matemateonga track
which is in eastern Taranaki.
Its a (nominally) 3 day tramp (3 nights, 2 days and 2 part days) of 42 Km
which we traversed west to east (ish)
entering at the trailhead on the top of the Kohi Saddle and
exiting at the Whanganui river.
Its also traversable in the opposite direction but we didnt do it that way
(fortunately).
We are fortunate enough to have family that live about 20 minutes down from the Kohi saddle (Makahu - Upper Mangaehu road) so we managed to get them to feed us up (well) before we left and also give us all a ride up to the trail head on the Kohi saddle. Otherwise you'd have to arrange pickup from Stratford (nearest town) and carriage out to the trailhead (or pickup at the end if coming the other direction)
For the river portion you arrange for a pickup and usually get a jetboat ride about an hour down river to Pipiriki which is where the road meets the river. From there you can get back to Wanganui with only a modicum of effort (private pickup, shuttle or arrange for a ride on the mail van). We got my uncle to come pick us up (with Kierans van for us + trailer for packs) and take us back to Hawera. Theres a large bus shelter+toilet up from the landing which is great for shelter and a brew up if the weather turns on you while you're waiting.
Theres a lodge (Bridge to Nowhere Lodge) on the river just up from where the trail ends and they will do jetboat tours and pickups. They also will rent out kayaks or canoes if you'd prefer to end your tramp with some water work... see Bridge To Nowhere Lodge
In addition (and the main attraction), about a half hour jet boat ride up river is the Mangapurua landing which is the entry point for a 45 minute walk in to the Mangapurua valley and "Bridge to Nowhere" - well worth it
The jetboat pickup, trip up to and guided tour of the walkway and Bridge to Nowhere and hour trip down to Pipiriki cost NZ$ 85 per person - think just the pickup and drop off at Pipiriki was about $60.
There are 3 DOC (Department of Conservation) Huts
Use of the huts cost NZ$15 per person per night, payment via (3 x $5) tickets you drop in a box in the hut (Hut vouchers can be purchased at most info centers (or the Stratford one at least)). The Huts have drinkable water (normal DOC caveats apply) supplied from tanks filled by rainfall collected off the hut roofs. Theres a wood stove for heating the hut but you need to bring your own cooking devices.
Huts were all in excellent condition (clean, dry and warm), Omaru had just been painted about 2 weeks before we went through.
Generally the track is pretty gentle in its inclines. It follows the sides of ridges or along tops at a fairly constant level. The early part was intended as a pilot road (to be expanded to a full road later) suitable for horse and dray. Its somewhat overgrown from that but still plenty wide and clear. Theres markers at almost every kilometer and directional markers at some places on the trees.The track had also recently had its periodic maintenance (3 workers for 9 days this time round) and the first 20 odd km was in fine condition. Unfortunately the stretch between Pouri hut and Puketotara had suffered a whole lot of windfalls across the track since it had been worked on - these were of course all at increasingly inconvenient heights and/or spacings for people carrying packs. It didnt matter though - this is also the most beautiful part of the track (trees and forest) and since it coincided with a wet misty day it was an eerie sort of experience.
Mt Humphries..
Descent to the river