Regenerative Trail

Today, Te Araroa is on a journey to become a regenerative trail – a journey of collaboration, of partnership, and of shared stewardship. 

Te Araroa Whakahou, our Regenerative Trail strategy sets out our way forward.

Regeneration for Te Araroa means:

  • Supporting the purposes and aspirations of mana whenua 
  • Protecting and enhancing biodiversity along the trail corridor
  • Supporting local businesses and fostering economic opportunities
  • Improving the trail and its infrastructure whilst minimising any environmental impacts
  • Providing a walking experience that enhances the wellbeing of walkers and communities.

We are just starting out on this journey, and there is a lot of work to do.

    A hiker rebaits a stoat trap

    To make Te Araroa a regenerative trail

     Our current priorities:

    • Strengthening relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau along the trail route.
    • Forming partnerships with regenerative organisations along the trail corridor and diverting $10 from each walker and supporter registration to support projects that regenerate nature.
    • Piloting a range of opportunities for walkers to engage in regenerative activities as part of their walk. 
    • Developing a Sustainable Trail Management Practice Guide, including the use of locally sourced, low-emission materials and resources, sustainable construction techniques and social procurement.
    • Funding native planting along the trail corridor, reducing trail maintenance needs and increasing biodiversity (e.g. planted trees provide shade which reduces weeds and the need for spraying to keep the track clear
    • Developing story panels along the trail which inspire walkers to care for Te Taiao on their journey
    • Seeking funding to carry out a trail capacity assessment to understand sustainable walker numbers.
    • Forming a group of Whakahou Advisors with expertise and experience in our identified regenerative impact areas (environment, social, wellbeing, economic, infrastructure), to guide us on our journey.
    • Developing measures so we can track progress towards regenerative outcomes and hold ourselves accountable.
    • Becoming an Impact Investor with the Sustainable Business Network and building our capability and capacity around sustainability and nature regeneration.
    • Taking the ‘New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment’ and embedding the Tiaki Promise in our mahi.

    Regenerative stories