It was built in 1972 by the NZFS & it was replaced in early to mid 2019. See https://tarhc.org.nz/our-huts/waiotauru-hut/ for background. Jonathan Kennett described it as "the skodiest hut in the Tararuas" in "Tararua Adventure Guide", 2010, Kennett Brothers, pg. 146. Towards the end of its life, the open fire was replaced by a wood burner. Edit Hut
In 1974 you could drive to Waiotauru Hut in a car - a Humber 80 was ideal as it had a very low 1st gear suitable for the steeper sections of the road. You could then drive down the Waiotauru River and a little way up the Eastern Waiotauru and cross it on a high & dodgy log bridge.