It’s National Volunteer Week and we want to say a huge thank you to you all!
This National Volunteer Week, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible people and communities that make Te Araroa more than just a trail. From Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga to Motupōhue Bluff, Te Araroa is a journey powered by passion, generosity, and aroha.
Every step along the 3,000 km trail is touched by the hands and hearts of volunteers. Whether it’s the dedicated trail builders carving paths through rugged terrain, the local businesses offering warm welcomes and hot meals, or the kind-hearted strangers who lend a hand to tired trampers – each one plays a vital role in bringing the trail to life.
Meet just a few of the many incredible people who make this trail unforgettable. We wish we could name every single one of you – but here are just some of the volunteers, supporters, and local champions we want to thank:
Denis Stanton – Te Araroa Trust support and member of Te Araroa Regional Trust, Tamaki Mākaurau Auckland
Denis has been supporting Te Araroa and it’s walkers for a decade now. He is perhaps best known for his quick and informed advice to walkers online and for moderating our social media groups. But, behind the scenes he’s frequently on the trail with a scrub cutter in his role with the Auckland Tamaki Makaurau Regional Trust, updating and maintaining notes and maps, picking up walkers at the airport and storing their gear for them, and countless other acts of generosity from sun up to sun down (and sometimes overnight as well). His ability to spot an error/bug/problem from years of working in software development around the globe is a gift to the Trust, ensuring we are always getting better and never complacent. He’s off on a much-deserved holiday for the winter testing the long trails (and wine) of Europe. Thanks, from the bottom of our hearts, Denis!
Andy and Alison – Powerhouse Lodge in Lake Coleridge
After Andy completed a thru-walk of Te Araroa with his daughter, he and Allison bought Powerhouse Lodge and run it as a charitable trust, rapidly transforming it into the Te Araroa icon that it is today. No doubt if you’ve met them, you know they take their legal and moral obligations to be charitable seriously! Whether or not you stay, you’ll walk away with a home-baked chocolate-chip biscuit in hand feeling welcomed and blessed. They understand what walkers want and they deliver the goods. Thanks Alison and Andy!
Ric Edmonds – Marlborough Region
A quiet hero of Te Araroa in the Marlborough region. Equally skilled with a paintbrush and canvas as he is sitting on a digger, Rick is an artist in all that he does. As the creator and sole contractor of Te Ara Tuhono ( The Link Pathway), Rick has done a tremendous amount for Te Araroa walkers over the last 20 years and asked for little in return. More recently he’s become a regional trustee for Te Araroa as well. He’s still working hard to extend the pathway all the way to Pelorus Bridge and hopefully one day to Nelson. Fun Fact: If you’ve ever been into a DOC visitor centre around the country and looked at a massive 3D table map of the area, there is a good chance Rick built it.
Mark and Kerry – Te Araroa Regional Trust, Northland
Our unstoppable Northland duo. These two are the rock stars (fitting, given they met in a Rock and Roll dancing class) of Te Araroa in Northland. They thru-walked Te Araroa in 2018/19 and have given loads of their spare time ever since, travelling around the region working on trail, organising working bees and contractors, all while hosting walkers at their home in Mangawhai. They are renowned for being really good buggers, known and liked by all. If you’re not convinced these two are saints already, Kerry retired last month from a 50+ year career in nursing, working in ICUs in New Zealand and travelling with a medical team to deliver life-saving heart surgeries in the Pacific Islands. Congratulations Kerry on the retirement!
Ed Colenbrander – Te Araroa Regional Trust, Tamaki Mākaurau Auckland
An awesome Te Araroa alumni and trustee with the Auckland Tamaki Makaurau Regional Trust (and formerly Wellington Regional Trust as well), Ed has a great understanding of what experience Te Araroa walkers are after and cares deeply about keeping them safe. He knows the trail well and you’ll often see his name in the comments section with words of advice and encouragement. Ed has been key in setting up and organising the river crossing courses run out of the Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Auckland the last two seasons, setting walkers up for success on the trail. His interest in safety and dedication to community extends beyond Te Araroa having also volunteered with Land Search and Rescue NZ. Thanks for everything you do, Ed!
Pete Chandler – Waitomo, Waikato
Seemingly part mountain goat and part man, Pete Chandler is a volunteer with extraordinary energy – good luck keeping up with him! As an early developer of tourism around Waitomo Caves with his wife Libby, Pete loves his area and loves talking with walkers and making them feel welcome. He freely gives of his time to Te Araroa across the Waikato. He’s recently been working hard to develop and open the new Putaki shelter and camp on Mahoe Rd, while gathering a merry band of volunteers to work alongside contractors on the Mangaokewa Track when he has spare time.
Brian Doughty – Chairman of Te Araroa Regiona Trust, Whanganui.
As a keen tramper, carpenter, dairy farmer, and ever so humble guy, Brian embodies the kiwi tradition of volunteerism and… being kiwi. His involvement in the community is diverse and spans many decades. From his work with Federated Farmers, Wanganui Tramping Club, and now as a board member for Jigsaw Whanganui supporting families in Whanganui, it’s not hard to understand why he won a Queen’s Service Medal last year. His credibility and influence across so many communities in his region has been a huge benefit to Te Araroa over the years. Keep an eye out for him around the region, cruising around in his old holden ute with a chainsaw in the backseat and a tool for any problem he may encounter.
Anthony and Fiona Behrens – Te Araroa Trust support and Te Araroa Regional Trust, Manawatū
If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting these two in their Papaioea Palmerston North backyard at Whiowhio Hut, you’ll have seen Anthony’s design work and photography across our website and branding. These two walked the Te Wai Pounamu South Island of Te Araroa in early days of the trail’s existence and created their own route on the North Island. They are passionate conservationists, with a particular affinity for protecting the Whio population in the Ruahine. They give their time generously to not only work on the trail, but to rebuild and restore backcountry huts where Fiona’s carpentry skills shine. We are so thankful for everything you do for Te Araroa and the environment!
Brian Way and Paula De Goldi – Te Araroa Regional Trust, Manawatū
In their roles as Chairman and Secretary of Te Araroa Regional Trust, Manawatū, they’re always doing something for Te Araroa! If you’ve ever walked the Manawatu portion of Te Araroa, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail they have when it comes to track care, trail notes, and trail marking (Te Araroa’s best marked region 14 years running!). Paula works hard to build community support and influence local government for Te Araroa and believes in getting locals out on trail to enjoy it in their own backyard. Brian brings the benefit of many years experience at Palmerston North City Council and is always looking for ways to improve track and facilities for Te Araroa and the community alike. And when they’re not out on the trail, they host Te Araroa walkers every season in their idyllic Papaioea Palmerston North home. Hundreds (maybe even thousands?) of walkers have found a warm welcome with Brian and Paula over the years.
Paul Stephenson – Chairman of Te Araroa Regional Trust, Wellington.
Paul is a fantastic leader, kind soul, and giving volunteer. He’s a clever man with a background in business and chemical engineering, but he’s just as capable volunteering on trail improvement projects on the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track and in the Tararua Ranges. His volunteeriong extends beyond Te Araroa with a separate passion project to eliminate Ragwort in remote areas of Aspiring National Park.
Rob Cleary – Southland
While preferring to remain unknown, we couldn’t help but acknowledge Rob’s contribution to Te Araroa over the last few years. He’ll trudge through Southland mud and tussock to improve trail markings and call it “training” or “gear-testing” with a smile. He’s a reliable source of information when we need a report of trail condition and gives great feedback and advice. He’s a key partner for Te Araroa in his day job, looking after parks and reserves with Invercargill City Council. Thanks, Rob!
