A keen Manawatu hunter was surprised and confused when he discovered the Department of Conservation (DoC) hut he was planning to stay overnight in in a river.
Benjamin Pigott went hunting with a friend in the Ruahine Forest Park last weekend when they discovered Diggers Hut about 200m downstream from its original place on the riverside.
The pair had planned to stay in the hut overnight on Friday but ended up camping out on the riverside after they couldn't find it.
Much to their surprise they discovered the hut the next day in the river.
"It's a bit of a hard case," Mr Pigott says.
Heavy rain last week caused a large slip to dam the river, making it re-route and take out the hut, he says.
"It was just wedged there on the rock sitting pretty nice and proud there."
Mr Pigott notified DoC, which told him it would check if the hut could be salvaged or repaired.
"Even though it looks a bit destroyed [it's] still in good nick."
DoC Manawatu Historic Recreation Senior Ranger Shaun Ruddle says the hut has suffered significant damage and is no longer safe.
It will be removed from the river.
Newshub.
