The soldiers instead piled up items and fenced them off from animals. Items included clothes and mattresses, but also health and environmental hazards like broken glass and batteries. It had to be done because conservation land is open to the public, and the department is responsible for keeping it safe, Mr Campbell said.
Nothing can be removed because any item may be deemed to have historic significance.
"According to our historians it's a really interesting piece of New Zealand history. How to maintain, restore and preserve that part of our history is yet to be determined."
None of the buildings have permits, and they have been swept out and fenced off, to prevent people or animals entering them.
The department's historic experts will investigate and report on the place. There will also be consultation before anything is decided about its future.