The 3,000km Te Araroa trail, which spans the length of New Zealand, attracts walkers from all over the country and, until recently, the world. A growing network of Trail Angels are taking in weary travellers and giving them a taste of Kiwi hospitality. “I guess there will be some different approaches out there. Some people … Read more
Some people have an ‘appreciate from afar’ approach to nature. But this summer, with all the encouragement for New Zealanders to explore Aotearoa, more of us are biting the bullet and heading into the great outdoors, writes the Department of Conservation’s ‘anonymous DOC blogger’. First published on DOC’s Conservation Blog. It’s not that I don’t … Read more
Having recently walked much of the South Island stretch of Te Araroa, Kirsten O’Regan reflects on the magnificent landscapes and interesting characters she encountered along the way. On our 36th day of walking, we climb through the fire-blackened hills above Ohau, stopping to examine heat-disfigured trail markers. Fresh green shoots have pushed through the sooty … Read more
Summer reisssue: An anonymous Department of Conservation staff member, who wishes to be known only as the Carefree Vigilante, provides a handy guide to dealing with menstruation, and menstrual products, in the wild. First published 28 February 2020. Independent journalism depends on you. Help us stay curious in 2021. The Spinoff’s journalism is funded by … Read more
Two musicians head for the hills to seek out peace, snowmelt swims and Samuel Butler’s fictional utopia, Erewhon. Imagine a land where the unwell are treated like criminals. Perhaps now we don’t have to. Erewhon is such a place. Law breakers are tended and cared for while the sick are imprisoned. Machinery is outlawed and … Read more
An anonymous Department of Conservation staff member, who wishes to be known only as the Carefree Vigilante, provides a handy guide to dealing with menstruation, and menstrual products, in the wild. This post was first published on the Department of Conservation blog. I’ve got six or seven rational fears and about 900 irrational ones. On … Read more
For three nights, four guides and 41 trampers were stuck on the Milford Track as more than a metre of rain fell in 48 hours. Guide Oliver Missen was witness to the downpour. The trip started as usual. We met in Queenstown, looked through the weather update, then quickly repacked to make sure my rain … Read more
You may be far from civilisation, but there’s no need to resort to the depressing or the dehydrated while getting amongst the wilderness. There is very little room for fanciness when you have to carry your whole kitchen on your back. When you take to New Zealand’s great wilderness, trekking from DOC hut to DOC … Read more
Ever wondered if you can go tramping with little ones? The answer is yes! Meg Drive shares one of her tramping adventures and gives tips on where to start if you want to take your family on a tramping trip. The Waihohonu Hut is a great example of false advertising. It was billed as a … Read more