News
Community turns out to restore native forest on the Puketotara Track
Community spirit was on full display on the Pukeatotara of the track in late May, when 55 volunteers — including a busload of Year 7 and 8 students from Oromahoe School — gathered to plant native trees along the trail. Working bees like this are made possible by the...
Serendipity Stu
Te Araroa’s Northern Trail Coordinator, Stu Bennett, grew up near Whakahoro on the Whanganui River – close to where Te Araroa now meanders. While he always thought the valley was a special place he was surprised that the trail ended up winding its way past his neck of the woods.
The Trudge and the Jubilation
In the latest of our ‘People of Te Araroa’ series we have a kōrero with Cat Wilson, director of heritage and visitors at the Department of Conservation (DOC).
The Accidental Warden
Karen Griffiths didn’t grow up in a traditional kiwi tramping family, but she remembers that her father wanted his kids to experience “the outdoor life”.
“My dad would take us out in the bush a lot. He made sure we knew how to trudge through mud, up hills and in the rain. We learned about keeping going and resilience. There was possibly a bit of punishment involved too,” Karen laughs.
New Bridge – New Connections
The Whangaehu River and its people couldn’t have put on a better day for the blessing of what will be one of Te Araroa’s biggest projects to date.
Government Investment a Boost for Walkers
Te Araroa Trust has welcomed the Government’s recent announcement to invest in trail infrastructure, recognising the positive impact it will have on sections of Te Araroa.
A rare bird, a hut, and a renewing trail
In the third instalment of our ‘People of Te Araroa’ series, we have a cuppa with wildlife defender, web and graphic designer, back-country route-creator, photographer, and all-round TA stalwart Anthony Behrens.
High yet humbled by TA
Best-selling author Naomi Arnold on how thru-hiking Te Araroa broke her, changed her, and filled her with joy. Naomi wrote one of Aotearoa-New Zealand’s best-selling and most critically praised non-fiction books of 2025, Northbound: Four seasons of solitude on Te Araroa.
Making the trail by walking it – Part 2
In part one of this two-part feature, Te Araroa trail manager Dan Radford described how walkers’ registration funds are being put to excellent, and regenerative, use. Today, we look at the good reasons why registering for Te Araroa costs money – and how that produces so much value.
Making the trail by walking it – Part 1
Right now, Te Araroa walkers’ registration fees and donations are powering spades, rock-breakers, diggers, and helicopters, making sections of the trail drier, firmer, safer, easier to follow and more fun to walk.
But perhaps it’s a simpler, older form of track care that best sums up why trail registration payments are so vital, says Te Araroa Trail Manager Dan Radford.
Equipping Te Araroa Tiaki Rangers – Earth Sea Sky and Te Araroa
We’re proud to partner with Earth Sea Sky, a locally owned, New Zealand based, family company renowned for designing and manufacturing high-quality technical outdoor clothing – all in made in New Zealand. Their support ensures our Tiaki Rangers are equipped to be out...
Te Araroa Trust Joins 1% for the Planet – Another Step Towards a Thriving Trail
We’re excited to share that Te Araroa Trust is now part of the 1% for the Planet Environmental Partners network - a global movement of businesses and environmental organisations working together to support people and the planet. Businesses commit to donating 1% of...
A Taonga for the Trail
Every Te Araroa walker carries a story — one of courage, curiosity, and connection. To honour that journey, Te Araroa Trust gifts each walker a unique taonga: a piece of pāua shell, worn on the wrist, rustic and authentic — just like the trail itself.
Introducing Te Araroa Locals
A new way to connect trail walkers with trail towns. Every year, thousands of walkers take on the incredible journey of Te Araroa, New Zealand’s national trail stretching from Cape Reinga to Bluff. As they pass through towns and communities along the way, they’re not...
The Tiaki Promise
Tiaki means to care for people, place, and culture. Aotearoa New Zealand is precious and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it. In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have a strong connection to the place around them. Tangata whenua...
Every dollar makes a difference!
How our walker’s donations have improved the trail. All donations go directly to preserving and improving the trail. Here are some of the important projects walker donations have helped fund on Te Araroa this season: Trail Improvements Wooden “track rafts” were built...
National Volunteer Week 2025
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...
Te Araroa Statement – Tragic drowning in the Boyle River, Hurunui.
Te Araroa Trust has learned that Phelan McDade, the walker who died in the in the Boyle River on Wednesay 5 June, was walking Te Araroa. We are heartbroken to learn of this deeply tragic event. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all those affected by this...
Wilding Pine Volunteer Day – 14 Feb
We’re excited to team up with Wilding Free Mackenzie once again this year! This amazing charitable trust is dedicated to raising awareness about wilding pines, a serious threat to our local environment. Following the success of our volunteer day last February, we’re...
Partnering to Protect Pekapeka
This year, we’re partnering with Ngāti Kuia and Forest & Bird to support biodiversity in Te Hoiere, Pelorus Bridge. Every registered Te Araroa walker contributes $10 towards nature regeneration. This year the funding will help protect the critically endangered...
Join our Te Araroa Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau Trust!
This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the regional governance of Aotearoa New Zealand’s internationally recognised 3,000km walking trail, rated among the top long walks in the world. Te Araroa Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau Trust is looking to add up to three...
Join our team as a Marketing & Communications Lead!
Are you a strategic marketer and storyteller passionate about the outdoors and sustainability? Do you want to shape the future of one of the world’s most iconic long-distance trails? Te Araroa Trust is looking for a Marketing & Communications Lead to share the...
Tree planting and trail maintenance go hand in hand
On September 7th, our community came together at the Puketi Forest Campsite to plant 780 trees, led by Te Araroa Northland trustees William Fuller, Kerry Shanta, and Mark Williams. With thirty volunteers from Paihia, Kerikeri, Russel, Opua and beyond, we swiftly...
Obituary | Vale David McGregor
It is with deep sadness that Te Araroa Trust acknowledges the recent passing of David McGregor. David had a deep and rich history with the Trust and trail, serving its best interests for 17 years, with 10 of those as Chair.
Regenerating nature in Motopōhue – Bluff Hill
We are thrilled that over 1,200 native plants were planted during the Bluff Hill/Motopōhue Environment Trust’s volunteer day on 13 March. This year every registered Te Araroa walker and supporter is funding a native tree in Bluff through our partnership with Trees...
Smiles all round tackling wilding pines
On 14 March Te Araroa walkers joined forces with Mackenzie locals to cut down wilding pines and protect the indigenous tussock grasslands and ancient glacial outwash plains of the Pukaki Flats Conservation Area, near Twizel. Huge thanks go to Wilding Free...
Celebrating the 80th Birthday of Te Araroa Founder Geoff Chapple
Te Araroa would not exist if it wasn’t for the vision, passion, and effort of founder Geoff Chapple who, worked (and walked!) tirelessly to map out the route, negotiate access and mobilise hundreds of volunteers.