Walking in New Zealand

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WALKING IN AOTEAROA.

So remarkable are New Zealand’s many walks, they convert even the most ardent antiwalkers into hiking enthusiasts.If you’re new to tramping, read up before you lace up...

WHAT IS DOC?

DOC stands for Department of Conservation (or ‘Te Papa Atawhai’). DOC manages a network of walks and over 950 huts. Its website is your go-to for all things hiking and tramping, including information on track closures and how to book DOC campsites and huts. – www.doc.govt.nz

WHAT ARE NEW ZEALANDS’ GREAT WALKS?

In New Zealand you’ll hear fellow walkers rave about New Zealand’s Great Walks. With jaw-dropping scenery and well-kept multi day trails (and one is even a canoe route), these 10 walks are considered unmissable.

TOP TIP: Read more about each Great Walk on page 10.

Cape Rēinga, Northland © Getty Images

WHAT SHOULD I TAKE?

Appropriate footwear, plenty ofwater, and depending on theduration of your walk, ample food,first aid and a head torch. Even inthe height of summer, a rain jacketand pack cover is recommended,as are waterproof bags for yourtech and maps.

TOP TIP: Don’t waste precious foodon the wildlife! Feeding the birds can harm them.

HOW CAN I BE ENVIRO-FRIENDLY?

Leave no trace: carry out exactly what you carry in, including rubbish. Stay on marked tracks to protect the natural environment, and plan your trip well ahead so your environmental impact is minimal. Toilets aren’t always readily available, so be aware which tracks you might need to“dig and dispose”.

Kauri dieback is an incurable disease killing kauri trees. Please keep to the tracks, clean all your footwear and equipment (lookout for cleaning stations) and stay away from tree roots.

HOW DO I STAY ON TRACK?

New Zealand’s walking tracks are vast and the bush is a labyrinth-like terrain. However, marked tracks are numerous, well-maintained and are dotted with orange triangles to guide you safely along the route.

TOP TIP: Before setting off, even if you’re in a group, let someone know where you’re going and how long you expect to be gone for.

WHAT CAN I DO TO STAY SAFE?

Plan well in advance and researchyour walk thoroughly. The weathercan change quickly in NewZealand, often without warning.Always check the weather forecastand pack the right gear for theconditions. Ensure the track is wellwithin your physical capabilitiesbeforehand – and all those you’regoing with.TOP TIP: MetService provides NewZealand’s official weather forecasts.See www.metservice.com forwarnings, short and long rangeforecasts and to download the mobileweather app.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?

• Care is needed when swimmingon New Zealand beaches. Ripsare dangerous but difficultto identify so aim to swim atpatrolled beaches, stay within theflags and ideally, avoid going inalone.

• Always lock your car, keepvaluables and passports at youraccommodation and don’t leavebags unattended.

• Carry a mobile phone. Inan emergency call 111.

• Visit www.doc.govt.nz for information on track closures, alerts relevant to conservation areas, weather updates and safety plans.

Lewis Pass, Canterbury © Getty Images

Go-To Online Resources

The NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) in collaboration with their partners has a range of free resources to make your walk a total success:

PLANNING MADE EASY ‘Plan My Trip’ is an interactive, step-by-step planning tool. Simply add the trip location, timeframe and group size and you’ll get a packing list, trip recommendations and weather alerts, as well as avalanche advisories and updates for DOC huts, campsites and tracks.

HOW TO VIDEOS The 29 videos in the ‘Get Outdoors Series’ detail some of the things you’ll need to know before you go. They are free to watch online and include basic outdoor survival tips.

FORGOTTEN SOMETHING? The ‘Discovery Day Walking and Tramping’ e-Learning tools guide you through the essential stages of planning a walk. This step-by-step interactive tool addresses all pre-walk considerations and reduces the risk of forgetting something.

Visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz

Fox Glacier guided walk, West Coast © Getty Images

TOHU WHENU

TOHU WHENUA ARE PLACES AROUND NEW ZEALAND THAT MATTER TO KIWIS. RICH IN HISTORICAL OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, VISITORS ARE PRESENTED WITH AUTHENTIC INSIGHT INTO AOTEAROA. VISIT TOHUWHENUA.NZ FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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Mt Ngāuruhoe, Tongariro National Park © Fraser Clements/Tourism NZ

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