Club Rules & Info
Important information about membership, lodge bookings and staying at the club lodge.
Membership Classes
Adult Members: Aged 18 years and over. Full voting rights at the AGM.
Junior Members: Aged 3 to 17 years. Reduced membership fee. Must be accompanied by an adult member when staying at the lodge.
Associate Members: Associate membership may be available from time to time at the discretion of the committee. Associate membership is at a reduced rate and have no booking or voting rights. Intended for members who are temporarily on OE or similar circumstances.
Tahurangi Lodge Rules
The lodge accommodates up to 16 guests per night. All guests must have a formal confirmed paid booking. The only exception is a work party, where the work party leader will make a group booking with the Booking Officer.
Non-Member Guests
- Non-members may only stay at the lodge as the guest of a current member. The member must accompany their guest for the duration of the stay.
- The booking member is responsible for their non-member guests and must ensure they follow all lodge rules and procedures.
- Non-member guests pay the non-member lodge rate.
Bookings
- All bookings must be made via the website and paid for as soon as they are confirmed.
- Member bookings with all-member guests are confirmed immediately upon payment.
- Bookings with non-member guests can only be confirmed 28 days before the start date of the booking. Card details are collected but not charged until 28 days before arrival.
- Member priority: If the lodge fills up, pending non-member bookings may be bumped to make room for member bookings. Bumped bookings are not charged.
- It is recommended that you book early, especially for school holidays, to avoid disappointment.
- The Booking Officer's decision on bookings is final. Any complaints about bookings are to be made in writing to the committee.
At the Lodge
- The Booking Officer shall appoint a senior member as the Hut Leader for busy weekends. The Hut Leader is responsible for opening and closing the lodge and overseeing start-up and shut-down procedures.
- Members must assist the Hut Leader by carrying out tasks which may be assigned to them for the safety and good order of the lodge.
- Members should familiarise themselves with the emergency evacuation procedures as noted on the notice board at the lodge. No member shall be allowed to stay on their own until competent in these procedures.
- All members need to familiarise themselves with the lodge start-up and shut-down procedures.
- The access road barrier is not manned 24/7. In the event of an adverse weather forecast the road may be closed at 6PM. Plan your travel accordingly.
- As the lodge is totally dependent on rainwater for its water supply, please conserve water at all times. Shower times should be minimised and do not shower at the end of the day when vacating the lodge.
- Members must be prepared to collect any food or provisions that the Booking Officer or Hut Leader may request them to collect.
- Any keys provided shall be returned to the Booking Officer promptly upon request.
General Conduct
- Members under 18 are not permitted to stay at the lodge unless accompanied by an adult member who accepts responsibility for them in accordance with Club Health and Safety Policies.
- All members must leave the lodge in a clean and tidy condition with firewood supply topped up.
- Report any damage to the committee, either by phone, email or the club contact page.
- Failure to obey the club rules may result in the committee taking disciplinary action against the member concerned. Serious offences will result in termination of membership.
New Members
- New members must be nominated by two existing club members.
- The sponsoring members must accompany the new member on their first stay and ensure they are inducted and signed off on all lodge operating and safety procedures.
- New members are expected to attend at least two working bees during their first three years of membership.
- An entrance fee and first year's subscription are payable upon acceptance.
Working Bees
- Members are expected to take part in at least one official working bee per year to assist with the maintenance of the lodge.
- New members are expected to attend at least two working bees during their first three years of membership.
- Members are credited with one night's free accommodation for each weekend working bee that they attend.
- Junior members turning 18 are expected to complete a work party in their first year as a Senior and will not be able to book and stay on their own until they have done so.
- Those members who are unable to attend an annual working bee are expected to make a financial donation to the club's funds.
Hut Leader Instructions
Hut Leaders are appointed by the Booking Officer and committee to look after the lodge. All club members and visitors to the lodge are expected to co-operate with the Hut Leader in carrying out their duties.
General Responsibilities
- Checking that those staying at the lodge are on the list provided by the Booking Officer.
- Supervising the use of the club's supplies of food to avoid waste.
- Supervising the use of firewood, power, and water to avoid waste.
- Supervising the careful use of the building and club's equipment.
- Reporting damage and wants of repair to the committee.
- Allocating bunks if necessary.
- Maintaining harmony amongst people staying at the lodge.
Specific Duties
- Check incoming people with the Booking Officer's list.
- Allocate lodge duties daily.
- Take stock of lodge supplies and notify the Booking Officer of any shortfalls or breakages.
- Assume the role of Fire Warden.
- Delegate an assistant to help in the event of an evacuation.
- Stress fire danger and remind members to use the drying room and not bedroom heaters for drying clothes.
- Switch off bedroom heaters at the main each morning, and on again each evening.
- Ensure that the last person to bed checks that the building is secure and electrical appliances are off.
- If no members are staying on, ensure the lodge has been cleaned, doors and windows are locked, power is off, food and rubbish is removed.
Any member can expect to be asked to take on the duties of Hut Leader. Make yourself familiar with these duties so that you can take over when requested.
Lodge Etiquette
A few practical reminders to help keep the lodge running smoothly for everyone:
- If you see the entrance door open, close it.
- If you use the drying room, leave the dehumidifier on and CLOSE the door.
- If you are vacating your bunkroom, turn off the heater, close the window, and turn off the light.
- If you are given a duty, please ensure it is carried out.
- If you are leaving the lodge, consider whether you need to shower — conserve water where possible.
- If firewood is in short supply, conserve wisely.
- Ensure that firewood is topped up inside the lodge before you leave.
- If you do not intend to use food leftovers, please dispose of them.
- If you are vacating the lodge, please ensure you have all your belongings.
- Do not store equipment in the attic. It will be removed and may be disposed of.
- If you find a defect that you cannot easily repair, advise the committee. If you have a suggestion to improve lodge life, notify the committee.
Cancellation Policy
Refunds for confirmed bookings are based on notice given:
| Notice Period | Refund |
|---|---|
| 28 or more days before stay | No refund |
| 7 to 27 days before stay | No refund |
| Less than 7 days before stay | No refund |
Cancellation policy is configured by the committee and may change. The policy at the time of booking applies.
Annual Subscriptions
The club's financial year runs from January to December. Subscriptions are due at the start of each season and are managed through Xero invoicing.
Members must have a current subscription to book at member rates. Unpaid members may still book as non-member guests at the standard non-member rate.
For questions about your membership or subscription status, contact the club.