The Te Araroa Project

Welcome Marita 🇩🇪, we caught up with at Jo's funny farm.

On trail Marita can't go without "my kindle and tent chocolate combo, it's chocolate i eat in my tent to unwind in the evening."

When Marita finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "telling interesting stories, being back in real life and sharing my experiences with others."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Marita has been "the north shore walking into Auckland, the days were so diverse in that areas as well, you would have trail, forest, road,beach all in a day."

Ahead on Te Araroa Marita is looking forward to "more sunshine and more wild camping, freedom camping in sunshine."

Marita is doing Te Araroa because "I always wanted to do a long hike that includes camping and i've never been to New Zealand so that's the perfect way to see this beautiful country, by walking it."

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Welcome Stella 🇳🇿, we caught up with at Jo's funny farm.

On trail Stella can't go without "my beanie, love my beanie, my beanie is the bomb."

When Stella finishes Te Araroa she is looking forward to "earning money instead of spending it."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Stella has been "meeting all the different people and sharing experiences, it's been really fun."

Ahead on Te Araroa Stella is looking forward to "lack of rain."

Stella is doing Te Araroa because "I always looked at it and we saw people doing it and thought this is cool, I could do it, may as well."

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Welcome Leila🇨🇭, we caught up with at

On trail Leila can't go without "i hesitate between two items, my diary because i think it's precious in a way and the backpack hurts my hips quite a lot but i have these orange silicone pads for extra padding, a little bit of softness between you pack and bones."

When Leila finishes Te Araroa she is are looking forward to "my boyfriend is back home so i guess im looking forward to spending time with him, in a cozy place."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Leila has been "definitely not the weather, i'd say walking in the river in the puketi forest, i loved that part."

Ahead on Te Araroa Leila is looking forward to "So many things, i came to New Zealand before a few times so i kind of know what landscape we are going to go through, it's definitely different because we are going to walk and i drove, but i'd say tongariro but also Lake Pukaki and Tekapo, they are blue but also milky blue, its very special, very unique. I have very good memories of these places and I really want to go back there, it's amazing to think I came here by walking."

Leila is doing Te Araroa because "i wanted to experience slow travel, because i feel like we always drive around, it's not eco friendly. I felt I wanted to experience slow travel, take the time to meet the people, see the nature, and I also wanted to prove to myself that I was able to do it, to do something big."

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Welcome Taylar 🇦🇺, we caught up with at

On trail Taylar can't go without "the swiss army knife, its cut a lot of blisters off, i physically wouldn't be able to live without it, we've done a lot of surgery on my feet, it's disgusting i know but my feet have been in rack and ruin this whole entire trip."

When Taylar finishes Te Araroa she is looking forward to "cooking in our kitchen, just making food, nice food and then just having a cup of tea on the couch with Ric and our dog, just hanging out, you know, just cozy things."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Taylar has been "the social aspect i think, i'm loving the nature and being outdoors, but everyone we meet on the trail is so lovely."

Ahead on Te Araroa Taylar is looking forward to "Mine is definitely the South island, I think I'm going to see nature and everything that I have never seen before, nothing like it. Then as well just experiencing places that a lot of people will never see, have never seen before, were seeing parts of New Zealand that maybe not even the locals have seen so it's very special."

Taylar is doing Te Araroa because "I've always wanted to do something very adventurous with Ric, i knew he was going to do something pretty crazy and I didnt want to just stay at home, I like getting out of my comfort zone and pushing myself, i just came for the adventure really."

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Welcome Ric 🇦🇺 we caught up with at .

On trail Ric can't go without "my little bumbag, my pack doesn't have hip pockets, it has the belt but doesn't have hip pockets and then these pants only have a pocket at the back and when you have your pack on and you want to get your phone it's so awkward and now this solves the phone problem."

When Ric finishes Te Araroa he is looking forward to "our shower, we have a big double shower so we just sit in the shower and hang out all the time."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Ric has been "the trail angels, actually meeting local people. interacting with real people and seeing real homes and eating their food just seeing the real side of New Zealand."

Ahead on Te Araroa Ric is looking forward to "im definitely excited to do the kayaking down the river, that's going to be a lot of fun and then i'm excited to get into the south island with the big mountains and be a bit more in the wild."

Ric is doing Te Araroa because "i think there is a lot of reasons, i've always wanted to do a long distance hike, i'd seen a lot of it on youtube, and then my dad has done the Camino and the Bibbulmun. I wanted to do something long distance. It didn't have to be a walk, I was keen to do a bike ride or something large and adventurous."

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Welcome F***y🇨🇭, we caught up with at

On trail F***y can't go without "My compeeds (for blisters), ive been using them a lot"

When F***y finishes Te Araroa she is looking forward to "my bed, in Switzerland, with my cat, in my bed, with my blanket and pillows."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for F***y has been "the bay of islands i think, i really like the coast, beach and the ocean, so that's been my favourite part."

Ahead on Te Araroa F***y is looking forward to "Tongariro, I can't wait. it's going to be the highest climb so far, the landscape and stuff like that."

F***y is doing Te Araroa because "I was planning to have a year off, she (Leila) wanted to travel, she offered me to join her, generously, I said yes without checking anything. I'm here for the adventure that I get every day, and every day I have to remember I was looking for adventure and now I get it."

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Welcome Simone 🇦🇹, we caught up with at

On trail Simone can't go without "I just started recently but what i can say is, because i forgot my rain jacket in the car, that a rain jacket is rather essential."

When Simone finishes Te Araroa she is looking forward to "the shop 200m away, that's what i need right now, you don't have to walk anywhere."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Simone has been "I can't really answer that question, I haven't had much of a view these few days on trail, it's been fog, oh no we had a bit of a view for 2 mins every now and then and then it was gone."

Ahead on Te Araroa Simone is looking forward to "south island for me, very little roads, mountains, longer distances between actual towns."

Simone is doing Te Araroa because "I don't actually really know, i always wanted to do a long distance hike, because of the challenge as well doing something not many people have done, i thought about Australia but too many dangerous animals, i have family here so it fitted into my life plan right now, so i'm doing it."

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Welcome Talulah 🇦🇺 we caught up with at

On trail Talulah can't go without "My book is a very impractical thing to carry around but i do like it on a rest day."

When Talulah finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "doing the normal backpacker thing and not walking."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Talulah has been "I really liked Bream Head and the first part of the dome, everyone hyped it up and said its really muddy, it's terrible you'll have a horrible time and we had a good laugh the whole way."

Ahead on Te Araroa Talulah is looking forward to "I'm really excited for the south island, I have never been and its scenery that i've never really experienced, which is exciting but terrifying."

Talulah is doing Te Araroa because "I haven't got much experience camping or walking but i've always wanted to do a thru hike, my dads from New Zealand so i wanted to get to know my dads side of the family and see New Zealand and i thought what other way is to walk it and not bus it or van it, just destroy your body instead. i also like the idea of a challenge, you know it's a pretty big thing if you can accomplish this you can accomplish anything."

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Welcome Lucy we caught up with at

On trail Lucy can't go without "Coffee, it shows what an addict i am but genuinely would not be here without it."

When Lucy finishes Te Araroa she is looking forward to "the things i miss, i miss cycling to work and i miss flat whites, so getting back to that."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Lucy has been "i loved the campsites along 90 mile beach, we had such good weather, so all the sun rises and the sunsets, finishing early and swimming it was so nice, they were nice remote sites as well."

Ahead on Te Araroa Lucy is looking forward to "i don't want to wish away the north island but i am excited just to get to the South Island and see it"

Lucy is doing Te Araroa because "I have just always enjoyed doing smaller hikes and camps. I always wanted to see New Zealand and when I realised that Te Araroa existed I was like oh my gosh I just need to do it. It's everything I love in one and I get to see a country."

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Welcome Samantha 🇳🇿, we caught up with at

On trail Samantha can't go without "my mum's film camera, .cameras trip 35, she passed away when I was a baby so it's a way to take her with me."

When Samantha finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "i don't really know to be honest, i haven't thought that far ahead i am just focusing on the walk"

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Samantha has been "i actually quite liked the first part of the dome forest because i was initially quite scared of that, but we did it, and it was actually a lot of fun, it was quite novel getting so muddy."

Ahead on Te Araroa Samantha is looking forward to "im torn im really looking forward to Tongariro as well because i've done it twice and loved it both times so i'll be keen to do it again, well be doing it slightly differently by doing it in reverse, but i am also super excited for the Tarauas, its where we go tramping all the time, i'm from the Kapiti coast originally and well be walking through there after that, it'll be cool, getting to see my family."

Samantha is doing Te Araroa because "it's his idea (gesturing to Justin) but it seemed like a pretty big adventure and i didnt want to miss out and I wanted to do it with him."

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Welcome Justin 🇳🇿, we caught up with at

On trail Justin can't go without "I guess my poles, i really like my walking sticks, they have a go pro mount on the top, doubles as a selfie stick."

When Justin finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "having the ability to try something new after the end of this, it's kind of a good mark to try something different for a bit. not go back to work maybe, we'll see."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Justin has been "the hakarimata ranges were i think my favourite so far, because we were able to slackpack that section. After 6 weeks of walking your fitness was actually useful at that point."

Ahead on Te Araroa Justin is looking forward to "i'm really looking forward to the Tararua's, being from Wellington its home backcountry kind thing, that's going to really feel like we are close to home. I don't know if it's going to feel amazing or horrible, even thinking of tacking on a couple of extra huts just to make the Taraua's that little bit longer."

Justin is doing Te Araroa because "working for 6 years in the same job kind of thing, and while it was a great job it was, I think, time for something new and exciting. I didn't really think I could do something like this, well that normal people could do something like this. A friend of mine, once his contract had finished, he walked home and i was like ooooh that's a cool idea, walking long distance and then i found Te Araroa, as soon as i saw that i was like, yeah that's cool i want to do that."

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Welcome Riorden 🇳🇿, we caught up with at

On trail Riorden can't go without "My Hat, keeps the hair out of my eyes, i'm always wearing it."

When Riorden finishes Te Araroa he is looking forward to "going overseas, i'll work and then get out of here."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Riorden has been "I quite enjoyed Bream Head, that was a nice section of the trail."

Ahead on Te Araroa Riorden is looking forward to "Tongariro coming up, that'll be my first proper mountain, this was a mountain, not a very cool mountain, it'll be nice to do a really famous walk."

Riorden is doing Te Araroa because "the simple answer is that it was fun, I finished up university and had an epiphany that I could do anything I wanted, go anywhere, choose whatever job, I thought I'd just walk instead."

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Welcome Niv 🇮🇱, we caught up with Niv at

On trail Niv can't go without "my Buff, it's a bandana, its a towel, and my beard got thick and looks not good so i can hide it."

When Niv finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "i'm waiting to go to the other places, that are so cool in New Zealand but not on the trail, beaches, a lot of beaches."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Niv has been "the first morning on 90 Mile Beach, i was happy to be on it, after so much time waiting for it, i was thinking about TA for a year now."

Ahead on Te Araroa Niv is looking forward to "I have no idea."

Niv is doing Te Araroa because "The main reason is curiosity, I want to see what is over the next hill."

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Welcome Miri 🇨🇭, we caught up with at

On trail Miri can't go without "my hammock, i use it often after long days hiking, hanging outside and relaxing

When Miri finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "the south island"

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Miri has been "the people so far that we have met, when you walk along the road everyone is waving, stopping and talking to you to see how it's going. it's great."

Ahead on Te Araroa Miri is looking forward to "Whanganui rIver, we will spend christmas there and not having a backpack on my shoulders, i am looking forward to this.

Miri is doing Te Araroa because "we like to do physical things, we rode from Vienna to Istanbul, we prefer doing something sporty rather than just renting a car and driving around."

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Welcome Tobi 🇨🇭, we caught up with at

On trail Tobi can't go without "for me probably my cushion, my head cushion, because the last one broke and it was 3 days with a headache as it was so uncomfortable without a cushion to sleep."

When Tobi finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "we won't go that far, im looking forward to the south island."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Tobi has been "Pirongia was beautiful, loved it."

Ahead on Te Araroa Tobi is looking forward to "The Canoe, I'm looking forward to doing that, pack some wine and beers and bring on the river."

Tobi is doing Te Araroa because "we wanted to travel New Zealand, next month we are going to my uncles place in the south island so we just flew to auckland and we didn't know what to do so we thought about doing part of the trail, that's what we're doing right now."

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Welcome Rob 🇩🇪, we caught up with at

On trail Rob can't go without "my backpack, never had such a good backpack, it's an exos 48, good colour, super comfy, perfect."

When Rob finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "probably getting a beer, a victory beer, maybe two."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Rob has been "for me the Mangapukahukahu gorge walk and Puketi forest, and the day after when it was fu***ng raining sideways and we were walking into Kerikeri, it was a full day of rain and we were walking through paddocks and through mud and water and suddenly this fern valley came up, very un expected in that rainy day and then walking along this fern valley following this stream until it goes into a river and becomes a wide big fu***ng huge river with all those big trees, just having s**t weather but enjoying it all the more that was glorious."

Ahead on Te Araroa Rob is looking forward to "I don't have that one thing, I don't know, I'm looking forward to Tongariro, Whanganui or the entire south island."

Rob is doing Te Araroa because "i've been traveling for a year, i mean there are many reasons to do it that all come together, but i guess i am looking for a time where i have something to do but also can reflect on a lot of what i've seen and done, come to terms with those things and draw my lessons, draw my conclusions from it."

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Welcome Al 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ,we caught up with Al at

On trail Al can't go without "my tent, keeps me safe, keeps me warm, it's a active, I love it so much, i've used it in scotland, its bomb proof, its my favourite thing ever, its my second child."

When Al finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "taking my shoes and putting them in the bin, no no no umm yeah looking forward to going home as well."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Al has been "The Mangapukahukahu gorge walk was wonderful, just the east coast just above auckland, and all the people that we've met and stayed with have all been wonderful as well."

Ahead on Te Araroa Al is looking forward to "generally just mountains like the Tararus's or the entire South Island, i miss my mountains."

Al is doing Te Araroa because "I enjoy hiking, i think i spent every other weekend at university hiking, and then on top of that i've always wanted to come to New Zealand and i wanted to travel, so i've been traveling the last 4-5 months and it's a culmination of all that, doing Te Araroa, a big adventure and then i'll join the real world and pay some taxes."

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Welcome Reid 🇳🇿 we caught up with at

On trail Reid can't go without "My sponge, it's beautiful, it does so many jobs that you would not expect such a small piece of gear to do. I actually don't use it to do dishes, it's for important jobs like drying a tent for condensation, drying myself after swimming or a shower."

When Reid finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "normal stuff being new again, like normal routine feeling new, i think that'll be quite interesting and i'll appreciate things more."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Reid has been "i think yesterday, Pirongia, the summit, i've never seen it like that, 360 degree views, ruapehu and Ngauruhoe there. Magical it was awesome."

Ahead on Te Araroa Reid is looking forward to "Nelson Lakes, really looking forward to that, haven't spent much time there and I've heard such good things.

Reid is doing Te Araroa because "the main thing I love walking and seeing New Zealand from a perspective that I would never otherwise, that's the main thing."

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Welcome Arwin 🇳🇱, we caught up with Arwin at

On trail Arwin can't go without "my camel pack, i don't need to stop, i can just drink and go, it's the best."

When Arwin finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "seeing my girl again."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Arwin has been "90 mile beach, I was so excited to start and all the energy of the people in the hostel, that was really nice."

Ahead on Te Araroa Arwin is looking forward to "the Richmond Range, it's the mountains and I like the mountains."

Arwin is doing Te Araroa because "it's a tough question, for me i think i made a decision in the moment that i got a house, and in that moment i realised ok now i get to settle, I want to do something different because i don't want to settle, so that night in decided ok let's go for a hike."

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Welcome Oz 🇮🇱, we caught up with at

On trail Oz Can't go without "my sun hoodie, it's got a hole for my watch and it keeps me away from the sun, it's an Israeli brand so i feel proud wearing it which is nice."

When Oz finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "exploring the rest of New Zealand that i didn't get to explore on the trail, doing sort of a road trip around mostly the South Island."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Oz has been "i really like the Puketi forest, the walking inside the river and then climbing up in the mud that was really nice even though i broke my trekking pole there, really good scenery, i stumbled on a good weather day it was good."

Ahead on Te Araroa Oz is looking forward to "the whanganui river, because i have never kayaked before and i want to know what it's like, im pretty scared of it because i don't know how to kayak. I think i will be ok, maybe, hope so."

Oz is doing Te Araroa because "I got released from the Israeli army, usually in israel its common people go on a long trip, most people go to South America or India or stuff like that, i chose to come to New Zealand and walk the entire Te Araroa and have an adventure."

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Welcome Adam 🇦🇺 we caught up with at

On trail Adam can't go without "my phone, everyone has their own creature comforts, my little creature comfort is once i'm in my bivvy or my bed and im cozy i'll just watch some downloaded TV shows or movies and stuff before bed and it makes me feel a little happy at the end of the day."

When Adam finishes Te Araroa they are looking forward to "me and my wife talking about starting a family."

The best part of Te Araroa so far for Adam has been "it's hard to say, I think only in the last few weeks I've started to enjoy it more. The first half, maybe it was the weather or something like that, but i wasn't feeling it, maybe it's a trail confidence thing as well, i've felt more confident on my own out in the forest and because i'm more confident out there i can enjoy things a bit more."

Ahead on Te Araroa Adam is looking forward to "a lot of things, tongariro i'm looking forward to, i've never done that before and i've always wanted to, south island a lot of the mountains, dad wants to come and do queen charlotte with me so that'll be fun."

Adam is doing Te Araroa because "i've always wanted a big adventure like this, here i am"

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