the release partly because the Kahurangi National Park has had intensive pest control over many years, and along with natural barriers, this has kept down the population of predators such as cats and ferrets. Takahē can now be regularly seen near Gouland Downs Hut. Gouland Downs Hut to Saxon Hut The track from Gouland Downs Hut continues across the northern part of the Gouland Downs, crossing Shiner Brook, Big River and Weka Creek over swing bridges before descending into the headwaters of the Saxon River and reaching Saxon Hut. The hut is named after John Saxon who surveyed the track in 1886. The endangered blue duck (or whio) may be seen in this section of the route. Great spotted kiwi can often be heard calling in the area around Saxon Hut, and are occasionally seen at night. Saxon Hut to James Mackay Hut The route descends gently through forest to the Saxon River, and then over a flat to Blue Duck Creek. It then climbs through forest in a long sidle around the slopes of Mt Teddy before reaching the Mackay Downs. The James Mackay Hut is on the edge of the downs, and is situated on a terrace above the track. It has views of the Heaphy River mouth and the Tasman Sea to the south-west. James Mackay Hut to Heaphy Hut The track descends through forest along a spur between Deception Creek to the south and the Lewis River to the north. The type of vegetation changes markedly as the track descends towards the Heaphy River. Stunted manuka and beech trees seen at the top become taller, and the sub-canopy and ground vegetation becomes more dense. At the bottom of the descent, there is typical West Coast rainforest, and the first nikau palms can be seen. There is a shelter near the junction of the Lewis and Heaphy Rivers. The route then crosses the Heaphy River and the track then follows a large bend in the river under limestone bluffs. The track follows the true left of the Heaphy River and crosses the Gunner River near its junction with the Heaphy. The vegetation along this part of the route is lowland podcarp forest, with an increasing number of nikau palms closer to Heaphy Hut, where they dominate the forest. The Heaphy Hut and campsite is around back from the beach, overlooking the Heaphy River mouth, with a view