While insurance isn’t mandatory to walk Te Araroa, we strongly recommend that you have insurance cover, especially if you are an international visitor. The trail covers remote areas and unexpected injuries, illness, or weather disruptions can disrupt your walk plans and incur unexpected costs.
What kind of insurance should I consider?
For international walkers:
It’s a good idea to have Travel Insurance that includes:
- Emergency medical cover
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Cover for hiking or outdoor activities (check that your policy doesn’t exclude these activities)
- Trip delays, interruption or cancellation
For New Zealand citizens and residents:
We recommend you consider domestic travel insurance to cover emergencies. You’re covered for personal injury by ACC, but it doesn’t cover:
- Evacuation costs
- Lost or damaged gear
- Trip delays, interruption or cancellations
- Non-injury-related medical issues
What happens if I need emergency help?
You might need to be evacuated by helicopter or search and rescue. These services can be very expensive if you’re not covered by insurance. A PLB or a satellite emergency notification device (SEND) are essential pieces of gear to ensure you can access these services quickly. A well-planned itinerary can help reduce your risk of needing these services
Tips for staying safe on the trail
- Let someone know your plans
- Carry a PLB or SEND
- Use the Te Araroa App to plan and navigate on the trail
- Know your limits and choose sections that suit your experience and fitness
What to do in an emergency
If you experience an emergency on the trail and need urgent help, call 111 to connect with Police, Ambulance, or Fire services. Be ready to describe your location clearly to help responders find you. Using the Te Araroa app, a trail marker, or GPS coordinates can help. Many parts of Te Araroa are remote and may not have mobile phone coverage. For your safety, we strongly recommend carrying a PLB or SEND, especially on longer or more isolated sections. These devices can be used to alert emergency services and provide your exact location, even when you’re out of reception.
