This weekend was based at Ngatuhoa Lodge, operated by the Ngatuhoa Lodge Outdoor Education Society. It is located in the heart of the Mamaku Range, about 45 minutes drive from Tauranga via a private road with a locked gate. The Lodge sleeps 50 in comfortable dormitories, with a central dining/meeting room, well-equipped kitchen, modern solar-heated ablution block, external dishwashing area, and large recreation hall. ABTC had not visited Ngatuhoa Lodge since 1992, so a return was long overdue. Thirty-two trampers took the opportunity, arriving at the Lodge around 9.30 p.m. on Friday night. A quick welcome, briefing and supper had everyone in their sleeping bags soon after. Saturday The day dawned bright and sunny, and surprisingly warm. After breakfast, Phillip brought his first reflection based on Romans 8:17-25, describing the picture of a groaning creation, subject to disease, decay and death, out of whack with what God originally intended it to be. We set off in our vehicles at 8 a.m., heading over the Kaimais to the township of Mamaku and down South Road to the Mokaihaha Ecological Reserve. This reserve comprises a small remnant of the rich lowland forest that once clothed the whole of the Mamakus, and also has a genetically-distinctive population of kokako. We completed a 2.5 hour loop via an old derelict hut and Lake Rotohokahoka, with John pointing out many interesting flora and fauna along the way. Of particular interest were the large patches of Dawsonia Superba, the world's largest moss, standing 15-20 cm high. From here we headed down Danseys Road, through Ngongotaha, and around Lake Rotorua to the Hamurana Reserve. Hamurana dairy offered coffee and a Devonshire scone for $2, a temptation too hard to resist! We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch on the lake edge, with a large flock of scaup looking on. The lake was clear and calm. Around 2.30 p.m. we set off to travel the short distance to Kaharoa Kokako Sanctuary, again comprising a remnant of the original Mamaku forest, but somewhat drier and with richer soils than Mokaihaha. There is a public shelter at the carpark with some interpretation panels on the area and its kokako. We descended 30 minutes to Onaia Stream, and lingered there hoping to see and hear kokako. Alas, we were out of luck, despite John trying to coax them to come near with his recorded calls. However, again, we learned a great deal about the local natural features. Travelling in 8 cars, with petrol stops, and pauses at each intersection, does not make for fast travel, and it was after dark before we arrived back at Ngatuhoa for a delayed dinner, which included a birthday cake for twins who had recently turned 65! After dinner, Karen and Alasdair Nicholl showed pictures of their trip as DoC volunteers to Maud and Stephens Islands in the Marlborough Sounds. Phillip screened a "50 of the Best" presentation with musical soundtrack, highlighting 50 of the most memorable places he has visited in over 50 years of tramping, mostly with ABTC. Then about 15 people headed up the road to view the glow-worms just beyond the nearby campground. Sunday Phillip again directed our attention to Romans 8:18-25, this time focussing on its promise of a glorious creation, redeemed and released from its bondage and limitations, restored to what God originally intended it to be. He suggested that we can cooperate with God in the here and now to help bring this about, fulfilling our commission in Genesis 2:15, but also achieving something that will remain an part of the "new heavens and new earth." In terms of walks, we then had two choices: a long walk to Te Rere i Oturu Falls (4-5 hours) or shorter walks near the Lodge (Ngatuhoa Falls 1 hour, Nature Trail 1 hour, Loop Track 1 hour). About half of our number opted for each, both setting out around 8 a.m. The Te Rere group walked via Frankham Road for 1.5 hours, now not drivable due to a locked gate, and then 30 minutes down Top Track to the flat-faced cataract. The falls are an awesome spectacle at 42 metres high and 25 metres wide. Some hoped to return via the river bush track, but the river crossing turned out to be too ambitious for the group so they all returned the same way, arriving back at the Lodge for lunch soon after noon. Meanwhile, others had enjoyed the less-demanding walks, accompanied by informative commentary from John. About 40 metres high and in two tiers, the Ngatuhoa Falls are impressive. After lunch outdoors, expressions of gratitude, and clean up, we left for home about 1.45 p.m. Overall, the weekend allowed us to experience the rich biodiversity and notable scenic features of this area, enjoying the peace and solitude of a remote, tranquil and secluded spot. The locked gates present some challenges, but at the same time ensure that you are "far from the madding crowd".