Pioneer Hut History
Pioneer Hut | Location Map | Photo Gallery
Management
The hut is managed in conjunction with the Department of Conservation. Meetings are held of a steering committee twice a year to decide on work plan prorities.
History Timeline
2011 -
2010-
2009-
2008 - Work planned for improvement of toilet system.
2007 - Damage to small end window.
2006 -
2005 -
2004 - Removal of old materials from higher old hut site.
2003 -
2002 -
2001 -
2000 -
1999 - New hut completed.
1998 -
1997 -
1996 -
1995 -
1994 -
1993 -
1992 -
1991 -
1990 -
1989 -
1988 - Pioneer Hut handed over to DoC after extended negoiations, with Club members receving a third discount for 10 years from 1 Dec 1987.
1987 -
1986 -
1985 -
1984 -
1983 -
1982 -
1981 -
1980 -
1979 -
1978 -
1977 -
1976 -
1975 -
1974 -
1973 -
1972 -
1971 -
1970 -
1969 -
1968 -
1967 -
1966 -
1965 -
1964 -
1963 -
1962 -
1961 -
1960 -
1959 -
1958 -
1957 -
1956 -
1955 - Substanial rock ledge built right around the hut
1954 -
1953 - Christmas 1953 - hut completed
1952 - Construction begun, but not completed due to an approaching storm.
1950 - Proposal to build a replacement Pioneer Hut slightly below the site of the current Bivvy that is now in danger from falling rocks and had recently been hit by a large boulder.
1935-1949 -
1933/34 - Original Pioneer Bivvy erected by Franck Alack and Bert Cowan and named "Mr Sullivan's Bivouac Hut" (after the Sullivan brothers who funded the build). At the time, at 8000ft, it was the highest building in New Zealand. It appears to have been made of corrugated iron, 8 x 9ft with blankets, mattresses and containing a food supply.
