Te Araroa FAQs

The last couple of weeks have been filled with last-minute gear changes, packing, and finishing up my tenure at work. On my last day at the office, my colleagues asked a lot of questions about my upcoming trip. They’re not the only ones. As I’ve been wrapping everything up in anticipation of the Te Araroa, I’ve gotten a lot of the same questions from friends and family. I’ve combined many of the questions together into this: Te Araroa Frequently Asked Questions! Enjoy! Also, if I missed a question you have, feel free to drop it in the comments below!

What if you get lost?

I’ve gotten this question a lot in conjunction with “how will you communicate if you get lost?” Three points here. First, I purchased a Garmin InReach Mini along with a subscription to their SOS services. This little device does so many things! I have the capacity to text using GPS. It also tracks me and captures a point every 10 minutes. I can request weather updates, and it has a clock! (Having a clock might not seem so important, but I’ve decided not to bring a watch, so I’m grateful for this feature!) Second, I’ve mapped out my course using the FarOut App. It shows me upcoming towns, water sources, and huts. Finally, I decided to get a SIM card once I get to New Zealand. I’ll be able to text using WhatsApp to other TA Walkers. 

The TA – from all my research – seems to be fairly well marked. I’ve already read of a few hikers who lost their way, and I’m sure it’ll happen to me. When it does, I’ll simply retrace my steps, use my GPS to backtrack if I have to, and get back on the trail. 

What about your food?

For the South Island, I’ll be able to resupply every 5-7 days, which means I’ll fill up on what I need at a grocery store, pack it into my backpack, and eat my meals on the trail. I’ll also go through towns where I’ll be able to eat at restaurants. 

For the North Island, I’ll be mostly road-walking, which means I’ll be close to stores and restaurants quite often. 

On previous long distance hikes, I lived mostly off ramen. I’m not sure what that’ll look like this hike. I’ve read about a lot of hikers eating couscous on the trail. I look forward to getting on trail and sharing with you some food creations I discover!

Are you sleeping in a tent?

Yes… and no. I’m bringing a tent, but the TA offers plenty of huts on the trail. The DOC owns/maintains the huts, and you must have either a day ticket or a hut pass to stay at the huts. I opted to purchase a 6-month hut pass for my thru-hike. 

Along with tents and huts, when I’m in bigger towns (like Queenstown and Invercargill), I’ll stay at Airbnbs, hotels, or campsites. I’ve already booked a stay in a pod for Queenstown. I’ve never stayed in a pod before… I won’t be able to say that soon!! 

Are there wild animals like bears?

Nope! No bears or mountain lions. No snakes or scorpions either. From what I’ve read there are two animals that will most likely be a nuisance on the trail: possums and rats. They have a history to getting into hikers’ packs where they gnaw holes through gear and/or eat hikers’ food. I

’ve also read that the sandflies – also known as black flies – can be a nuisance near the beaches and around wet areas. I’m packing wind pants to protect me from their bites. 

How long will it take to get there?

This will be different for every hiker heading to the TA, but I’ll be flying to New Zealand from the United States. My flight is nonstop and will take 16 hours. However, because of the time zones, I’ll arrive two days after my flight takes off. Time change is so wonky!

Also, since I’m hiking NOBO (northbound), I’m flying from Auckland to Invercargill to start the hike from the southernmost point. So, from the day I leave the US to the day I start walking, it’ll be 5 days of transportation and travel. 

How far are you walking?

The Te Araroa is 3000 km long with the South Island around 1400 km and the North Island route around 1600 km. 

Yes, I will be walking. But I will also be kayaking/canoeing, biking, riding a ferry, hitchhiking, and taking a bus. I’ve already made a few reservations with bus companies to get into towns for resupply. I also plan to bike around 55 km one day to give myself a break from walking… and to get to town faster. 

How much does your backpack weigh?

My base weight (that’s with my gear but no food or water) is 15 lbs. I’ll have capacity to carry up to 4 liters of water at a time (I hope I don’t have to very often!), and that’ll add almost 9 lbs. (1 liter = 2.2 lbs)

Are you bringing a walking stick?

I don’t have a walking stick, but I have trekking poles! I started using them around a year ago, and I was very clumsy with them. But I’ve been practicing more on recent hikes, and they’ve become very beneficial! I appreciate them most when I’m going downhill – I can put weight into the poles and take pressure off from my knees. 

Also, my tent is not a free standing tent, which means that I need to use one of my poles to hold it up. 

You’re going by yourself?

I am! But I’ve already been in communication with so many other TA walkers that it doesn’t feel like I’m going alone. I’m excited to meet other hikers on the trail and hear stories from all over the world!

Will you be working?

Nope! I spent this last year working and saving up knowing that I wouldn’t be able to work while on the trail. I plan to blog and share pictures while hiking. If you’re interested in supporting my hike financially, send me an email, and I can share my Venmo info! 

Why New Zealand?

Such a good question. I have a few answers. First, it’s BEAUTIFUL! I’ve wanted to go for a long time simply because of the beauty of New Zealand. Second, it’s a newer trail (established in 2011) which means less hikers. I wanted to do a less-known trail before tackling a larger trail. Third, the weather/timing is perfect for me! Being in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand is currently experiencing Summer! I’m excited to get out of winter and jump back into summer. I’ll finish my hike just as New Zealand is approaching winter… at which time, I’ll fly back into summer in the states!