Te Araroa Trust is a registered charity, formed in 1994 to bring to life the idea of a continuous walking trail spanning the length of the country. Regional Trusts have since formed to coordinate local volunteers and support this aspiration.
Today Te Araroa Trust has a small team of three employees, and the trail continues to be governed and supported by passionate volunteers at the national and regional levels.
Our Founder & Board
Te Araroa exists largely because of the effort of countless volunteers, mobilised by the vision and passion of founder Geoff Chapple, who worked (and walked!) tirelessly to map out the route, negotiate access with landowners and communities, and establish infrastructure such as bridges and huts.
As the national organisation, Te Araroa Trust is responsible for the governance, strategy and direction of the trust as it works to deliver on the trail vision and the needs of Te Araroa. All our trustees are volunteers. Many have walked the trail, and all care deeply about Te Araroa.
Our Regional Trusts
We have eight Regional Trusts who care for, develop and maintain the trail in their region. Our regional trustees are all volunteers, doing everything from building stiles and updating trail markers to forging the relationships that establish new routes and replace road walking.
Volunteer with a Regional Trust
Our Management
The Te Araroa management team is responsible for developing the trail, partnerships, technology and funding to ensure the regenerative trail vision is achieved.
Our Whakahou Advisors
We are fortunate to benefit from the expertise of our Whakahou Advisors, who provide advice, support and diversity of thought to guide us in delivering Te Araroa Whakahou, our regenerative trail strategy.
