A remote section of forest just outside Te Anau has been suddenly placed under a Department of Conservation (DOC) access restriction, following the discovery of a sinkhole near an unofficial tramping route.
The sinkhole appeared after a week of heavy rain in late May — but while such geological events aren’t uncommon in Fiordland, what’s unusual is the silence that followed.
DOC has now cordoned off the area, issued a warning to stay away, and quietly updated maps to mark the zone as “temporarily inaccessible”.
But no public explanation has been given — and those who got there first say something strange lies at the bottom.
A collapse no one expected
The sinkhole reportedly opened up in a patch of mature beech forest northeast of Te Anau Downs, close to a disused hunting trail known only to locals.
A group of deer stalkers were first on the scene, stumbling across the freshly collapsed terrain while navigating to a ridgeline. What they saw stopped them in their tracks.
“It wasn’t just a hole in the ground,” says one of them, speaking anonymously. “There were layers inside it. Brickwork. Angles that didn’t look natural. Something man-made.”
They reported the incident to DOC. Within 48 hours, the trailhead was sealed, and signage went up warning of “unstable ground”.
Immediate closure — zero details
When contacted, DOC confirmed a temporary access restriction had been implemented around the site, citing “geotechnical instability and further assessment underway”.
Asked if any structural remains or objects had been found inside the sinkhole, the response was brief:
“We’re not in a position to comment on site contents at this time.”
No timeline for reassessment has been offered. No mention of iwi involvement, archaeological survey, or further exploration.
Local whispers begin
In the absence of detail, theories are circulating.
Some suggest the hole may have exposed a forgotten military storage site — Te Anau was once on the radar for Cold War-era contingency planning. Others believe it could have revealed prehistoric cave structures, or even an undocumented pā site.
A few recall local legends about “tunnels beneath the forest”, long dismissed as folklore.
“My grandfather used to talk about lights coming from the ground in that area,” says Rāwiri, who grew up nearby. “We all thought it was nonsense. Maybe not.”
What’s next?
For now, the only people allowed near the site are DOC staff and contracted specialists. Drone flights have been restricted, and GPS coordinates of the exact location are being kept quiet.
Trampers and hunters are being told to avoid the area entirely, with DOC warning that “unauthorised entry may pose serious risk.”
But the question remains:
Why seal off a sinkhole — unless something more than soil was uncovered?
Until DOC decides to speak, what lies beneath the forest near Te Anau will remain buried in silence.
Why is DOC being so secretive? Like, if it’s dangerous, just say so. Or are they hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole?
Many of us by now know that the Chinese were here 1000 years + ago(best evidence of this is the Chinese carved bird found in recent years) but underground man made structures does sound strange unless it was something they wanted to leave behind for future settlerss.At about this time In China all major sea voyages were stopped and CHina shut itself off from the world for many centuries,so they(the Chinese) never came back(until the gold mining days).Just another thought to throw in the pot,Kaimanawa wall ring another bell.
Wait, why is DOC so secretive about a sinkhole? Are they hiding something dangerous or just really bad at PR? Feels sketchy!
Maybe they’re hiding actual danger, or maybe they just don’t want a panic. Either way, suspicious.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent here? If it’s some alien artifact, just say it! Or are they hiding something worse?
Honestly, feels like DOC is hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole. Why the hush? What if it’s not natural at all?
Wait, why is DOC playing secretive? If it’s dangerous, fine—but hiding info just fuels wild rumors. What are they really hiding?
Maybe they’re hiding the truth because it’s way worse than anyone expects. Think about it.
Honestly, isn’t it fishy DOC’s going all secretive? Maybe they found something way bigger than just a sinkhole. What are they hiding?
Or maybe they’re just doing their job carefully. Not everything is a conspiracy, you know.
Honestly, why the hush? If it’s just a sinkhole, why the cloak-and-dagger? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger.
Exactly! When they act shady over a sinkhole, you know there’s a much bigger story.
Why’s DOC being so secretive? It’s a sinkhole, not Area 51. Are they hiding something bigger or just overreacting?
Maybe they know it’s worse than we think. Sinkholes don’t usually need secret levels of hush.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien artifacts or just bad plumbing? Suspicious much?
Maybe it’s neither—just another cover-up to distract us from real government failures. Wake up!
Honestly, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a simple collapse. Suspicious much?
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien eggs or just bad plumbing? Weird much!
Maybe DOC’s hiding something bigger than alien eggs—like their own incompetence. Sinkholes don’t fix themselves.
Wait, why is DOC acting all secretive? What if they found something way bigger than a sinkhole—like alien stuff or ancient ruins?
Wait, why is DOC suddenly playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—aliens or just bad plumbing? Sketchy much!
Wait, why is DOC being so secretive? What are they hiding in that sinkhole near Te Anau? Feels like a cover-up!
Sometimes secrecy isn’t a cover-up but just protecting sensitive wildlife or research. Jumping to conclusions helps no one.
Honestly, why is DOC being so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a sinkhole. What’s really going on?
Why is DOC acting so secretive? What’s really down there—some ancient artifact or government experiment gone wrong? Feels fishy to me.
Maybe because not everything needs to be shared with conspiracy theorists like you. Chill.
Honestly, why the secrecy? Feels like DOC’s hiding something way bigger than just a sinkhole. Alien tech or secret mining?
Wait, why is DOC suddenly playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien tech or just toxic waste? Weird vibes.
Why is DOC being so secretive? If it’s dangerous, fine, but hiding info just fuels conspiracy theories. What are they really hiding?
Seriously, why’s DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien treasure or just boring old slime? Weird vibes.
So why’s DOC acting all secretive about the sinkhole? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a simple collapse, right?
Because if they spill the truth, panic and lawsuits follow. Classic cover-up move, nothing new.
Why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What’s so weird or dangerous they can’t just spill the beans already? Suspicious much?
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent here? What are they hiding in that sinkhole—aliens or toxic waste? Feels fishy!
Maybe it’s neither—just another government cover-up nobody wants to admit. Wake up, people!
Are we seriously just gonna trust DOCs silence here? Feels like theyre hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole, not buying unexpected collapse.
Exactly, silence screams guilt. If it were simple, theyd be all over the details by now.
Isn’t it sketchy how DOC just seals off the sinkhole but stays silent? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole!
Sometimes silence isn’t hiding—maybe they just don’t want to fuel wild conspiracy theories. Chill.
Why’s DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Bet it’s not just rocks—maybe they found some alien junk or toxic waste!
Seriously, why the hush-hush? If it’s just a sinkhole, why act like it’s some alien conspiracy? Feels fishy, honestly.
Exactly! Sometimes a sinkhole is just a sinkhole—no need to overthink or spin wild theories.
Honestly, why’s DOC being all secretive? What are they hiding near Te Anau? Sinkhole drama or something way sketchier? Feels off.
Wait, why the secrecy? If it’s just a sinkhole, why freak out? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here.
Sometimes just a sinkhole can swallow entire neighborhoods—secrecy often means bigger risks. Think deeper.
Wait, why the hush-hush? If its just a sinkhole, why freak out? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here.
Why is DOC being so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a mere sinkhole collapse. What’s really going on?
Maybe because the truth would cause a panic? Sometimes silence screams louder than words.
Honestly, if DOC won’t say what they found, it just fuels conspiracy theories. What are they hiding—alien artifacts or toxic waste?
Maybe they’re hiding something far less exciting—like their own incompetence or a massive cover-up.
Why is DOC being so secretive? If it’s just a sinkhole, why the hush-hush? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger.
Maybe because not everything is as simple as it looks—sometimes silence means there’s more to it.
Why is DOC so hush-hush? Feels like they found some alien stuff or illegal dumping. What else could justify this silence?
Why is DOC playing secretive? What if they found something way bigger than a sinkhole? Feels like a cover-up to me!
So why the hush-hush? If it’s just a sinkhole, why freak out? Feels like someone’s hiding something way bigger here…
Because panic sells better than facts. Sometimes a sinkhole is just a sinkhole—no conspiracy needed.
Honestly, why is DOC acting all secretive? If it’s just a sinkhole, spill the beans! Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger.
Maybe they’re hiding something, or maybe you’re just itching for conspiracy where there isn’t any. Chill.
Why all the hush-hush? Feels like DOC’s hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole—alien tech or secret mining, anyone?
Classic conspiracy paranoia. Sometimes a sinkhole is just a sinkhole—no alien drama needed.
Wait, are we seriously just gonna accept “zero details”? Feels like DOC’s hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole here. What’s really up?
Wait, why is DOC being all secretive about the sinkhole? What if it’s something way bigger than they admit? Feels fishy!
Because admitting the truth might cause panic. Sometimes secrecy is about control, not conspiracy.
Why all the hush-hush? Feels like DOC’s hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole—alien tech or secret cave party? #ConspiracyMuch
Or maybe it’s just incompetence, not aliens. Sometimes the truth is way less exciting.
Why is DOC so hush-hush? Feels like they found something way bigger than a sinkhole. Alien base or secret stash, maybe?
Because if they told us the truth, conspiracy theories would look tame. Stay skeptical.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien artifacts or just bad plumbing? Weird vibes.
Honestly, why is DOC being so secretive? Feels like theyre hiding something way bigger than a simple sinkhole collapse. What’s really going on?
Honestly, isn’t DOC’s silence just fueling conspiracy theories? What if they found something way bigger than a sinkhole—alien tech or secret mining?
Why is DOC being so secretive? If it’s just a sinkhole, why the hush? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger!
Maybe because it’s not a sinkhole? Sometimes silence speaks louder than wild conspiracy theories.
Honestly, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—aliens, buried treasure, or just bad PR? Weird vibes.
Honestly, isn’t it fishy DOC’s silent? Maybe they found something *too* wild—government cover-up or just overkill panic? What’s really going on?
Or maybe silence means nothing’s there—sometimes a conspiracy is just paranoia dressed up.
Seriously, why is DOC playing secret agent? If it’s just a sinkhole, why the hush-hush? What are they hiding exactly?
Because admitting it’s a sinkhole might tank property values. Silence is their cheapest cover-up.
Why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a hole in the ground!
Exactly! When they go silent, it usually means there’s something they don’t want us to know.
Why is DOC acting all secretive? If it’s just a sinkhole, why the hush-hush? Feels like theyre hiding something way bigger!
Why is DOC being so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole—maybe some government experiment gone wrong?
Sometimes secrecy isn’t about hiding facts, but about controlling panic. Not everything’s a conspiracy.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien treasure or just scared of some mud? Weird move.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agents over a sinkhole? What’s really down there—ancient aliens or just bad plumbing? Seriously suspicious!
Maybe it’s both—ancient aliens hiding in bad plumbing. DOC’s got secrets, no doubt.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What if they found something way bigger than just rocks? Suspicious much?
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What if it’s something way bigger than just a hole? Suspicious much?
Wait, why is DOC being all secretive? What if it’s not just a sinkhole but something way more sinister they’re hiding?
Sometimes secrecy isn’t sinister—maybe they just don’t want panic before they know the facts. Calm down.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—aliens, ancient treasure, or just bad PR?
Maybe it’s none of our business—some secrets are better left buried, literally.
Why is DOC being so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a sinkhole collapse. What’s really up?
Because if they told the truth, panic would spread faster than the sinkhole itself. Wake up.
Wait, why’s DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What’s so scary—aliens, ancient treasure, or just a dodgy picnic spot?
Maybe DOC knows something we don’t—sinkholes aren’t exactly your everyday picnic hazard, you know.
Why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Did someone find alien tech or just a busted sewer pipe? Spill the beans!
Honestly, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just dirt collapsing. Weird.
Sometimes a sinkhole is just a sinkhole. Not every mystery needs a conspiracy theory.
Why is DOC so hush-hush? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole. Alien base? Toxic waste? Spill it!
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just collapsed earth!
Honestly, why the secrecy? If it’s just a sinkhole, spill the tea! Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here.
Maybe because not everything is as simple as a sinkhole? Sometimes mystery is justified.
Wait, why is DOC being so secretive? What are they hiding near Te Anau? Sounds more like a cover-up than a sinkhole!
Maybe it’s not a cover-up but just standard procedure. Jumping to conspiracy doesn’t help.
Okay, but what if DOC is hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole? Like, are we being kept in the dark on purpose here?
Why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Feels like they found something way bigger than just a hole in the ground!
Why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien tech or just a messy illegal dump? Feels fishy!
Why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What if it’s just a dodgy camping spot, not some epic mystery? Chill out!
Why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Bet it’s not just rocks—something way bigger we’re not being told!
Maybe because not every mystery needs a conspiracy? Sometimes a sinkhole is just a sinkhole.
Okay, but isn’t this classic government overreach? Like, if it’s so dangerous, why not just come clean instead of playing secret agent?
Exactly! Transparency scares them more than the danger itself. Secrets only breed distrust.
Wait, why is DOC so secretive? What are they hiding in that sinkhole—aliens, ancient treasure, or just bad plumbing? Suspicious much?
Why all the hush-hush? If it’s just a sinkhole, why freak out? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here…
Wait, why the secrecy? If it’s just a sinkhole, why freak out? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here.
Why is DOC playing secret agent here? If it’s just a sinkhole, why the cloak-and-dagger act? Feels sketchy!
So why the hush-hush? If it’s just a sinkhole, why freak out? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here.
Why the hush-hush? Feels like DOC’s hiding something way bigger than a sinkhole. What if it’s not natural at all?
So why’s DOC being super hush-hush about the sinkhole? What if they found something way bigger than just rocks? Feels sketchy!
Seriously, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Feels like theyre hiding some alien base or toxic waste dumping!
Exactly! When you hide this much, it’s never just a sinkhole. What are they really covering up?
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—aliens, ancient treasure, or just bad plumbing? Weird vibes.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—Aliens? Toxic waste? Feels like a Netflix thriller!
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent about a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien artifacts or just bad PR? Weird move.
Maybe they’re hiding something way worse than aliens—like their own negligence or cover-ups. Stay skeptical.
Why the hush-hush, DOC? If it’s just a sinkhole, spill the tea! Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here.
Wait, why is DOC suddenly playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien artifacts or just bad plumbing? Weird vibes.
Maybe it’s not the plumbing that’s bad, but what’s buried underneath. Open your eyes.
Seriously, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—aliens, ancient treasure, or just bad plumbing?
Seriously, why all the hush about the sinkhole? Feels like DOC’s hiding something way bigger than just a hole in the ground!
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—aliens or just bad plumbing? Feels sketchy!
Exactly! When authorities go silent, you know something way bigger than plumbing is going down.
So, why’s DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? Feels like they’re hiding way more than just rocks. What’s really going on?
Wait, isn’t it super fishy that DOC won’t spill the tea? What if they found something way bigger than a sinkhole?
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What are they hiding—alien artifacts or just bad plumbing? Feels fishy!
Maybe it’s not about plumbing or aliens—just another government cover-up nobody wants to admit.
Wait, why is DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What’s the real story—alien artifacts or just old boots? Weird move.
Exactly! Feels like a cover-up. Sinkholes don’t need spies—what are they hiding?
Why is DOC acting so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a simple sinkhole collapse. What’s really going on?
Seriously, why’s DOC playing secret agent over a sinkhole? What if it’s something *really* wild they don’t want us to know?
Maybe because some mysteries are better left unexplained? Not everything needs to be a conspiracy.
Okay, but isn’t it super shady DOC won’t spill what’s down the sinkhole? Like, what are they hiding—aliens or toxic waste?
Exactly! If it’s nothing suspicious, why the secrecy? Makes you wonder what they’re really covering up.
So, why the hush-hush? If it’s just a sinkhole, spill the tea! Feels like they’re hiding way more than dirt here.
Having looked through the comments, I realised the MAGA infection planted in New Zealand in 2015, has develop a pus filled boil in the absence of basic logic, common sense, education or logical thinking to lance the damn thing.
Occam’s razor, the principle that the simplest answer is usually the right one, suggests to me that the sinkhole uncovered an old Maori burial cave and it has also taken out a section of the hunters’ track.
DoC don’t want treasure hunter looting the site, which I don’t want, either.