269 AUGUST 2020 by Walking New Zealand Ltd

RECREATION WALKING and CYCLING TRAILS

New Zealand Walk:

Cook Cove Walkway to an historic monument New Zealand Walks:

Ten great Rotorua walks and trails

AUGUST 2020 ISSUE NO 269

New Zealand Walk:

Testing our limits on the Queen Charlotte Bay of Island Walking Weekend

Mana, missionaries and mayhem

Photo Contest winners NZ $8.50 inc GST

The Cook to Kupe Tour for a real Northland Experience www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

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2 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

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CONTENTS

Issue 269 - 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Cook’s Cove Walkway to an historic monument 10 Queen Charlotte Track : Testing our limits on the Queen Charlotte 16 Lockdown Activities: Helping walkers along the way. Waitangi Regional Park. 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Rotorua Walks: Short walks around Rotorua 22 Rotorua Walks: Ten great Rotorua walks and trails 23 Rotorua Walks: Tarawera Trail a great nature walk 24 Rotorua Walks: Firmin Lodge 26 Bay of Islands Walking Weekend: Mana, missionaries and mayhem 28 Need2Know: Pop goes my pelvis 30 New Zealand Walk Birdlife and song highlight of Bushy Park 31 New Zealand Walk: Bushy Park sanctuary a top restoration project 32 New Zealand Walk: Curio Bay experiences 34 New Zealand Walk: Ballroom Overhang Track - Fox River West Coast 36 Need2Know: Baldwin Street steepest street again 37 Walking Access Commission: Trust saves public access to beach 38 Northland Experience: Monica cycles the Cook to Kupe Tour for a real Norhland experience 40 Need2Know: Tactical Unbanism gives cheap solutions for Auckland pedestrians and cyclists 42 Index of previous 14 issues 43 High Achiever: Pre-schoolers delight at compe- tion win 44 New Zealand Walk: Big plans for walking and cycle paths along Avon River corridor 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 52 Mt Eden for magnificent city views Cover photo: Members of the Air New Zealand Outdoors club admiring the view overlooking Bethell’s Beach. Photo by Jo Alexander of Henderson, Auckland

WALKING New Zealand

Published Monthly

PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Frank Goldingham: Phone 06-358-6863 CONTRIBUTORS: Bob Hodgson, Stephen Day, Barbz Lowther, Wendy and Becky O’Malley, Linda Mitchello, Di Oliver, Steph Godsiff, Anja Morris, Brenda Greene and Yvonne van Eerden ADVERTISING MANAGER: Frank Goldingham 0800 walking (925-546) 027-274-0726 Email: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz COMING EVENTS ADVERTISING: Frank Goldingham 0800-walking (925-546) Email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS: Phone 0800-925-546 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: New Zealand Residents; 24 issues $159.00 posted, 12 issues $84.50 posted, 6 issues $51.00 posted DIGITAL $29.00, 12 issues Australia: 12 issues: $122.00 Rest of World: $138.00 NEWSAGENT DISTRIBUTION: Avato Ltd WALKING NEW ZEALAND LTD, P O Box 1922, Palmerston North Telephone 06-358-6863 - Fax 06-358-6864 E-Mail: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz

Website: www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

The information and views expressed by contributors are not necessarily agreed to by the editor or publisher, and while every effort will be made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will be taken by the editor or publisher for inaccurate information.

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38 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Walk talk

Tracks open in December

Ultimate Hikes, operator of guided walks on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks, will open for the season on 17 December 2020 and run through until 5 April 2021. The Ultimate Hikes guided walks season normally starts at the beginning of November but has been condensed as Ultimate Hikes season is set for southern tracks this year, with fewer departure dates and reduced pricing. Walks on the Milford Track will depart five days a week, while trips on the Routeburn track and the Classic will depart four days a week. The Grand Traverse will operate on select dates only. General manager Noel Saxon says this summer will be an ideal time for Kiwis to tick off one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. ‘The tracks will be repaired after last year’s floods and we’ll have warm lodges and three course meals waiting for them.’ www.ultimatehikes.co.nz.

Improved wayfinding signs for people cycling

In late 2019, the Transport Agency announced a ‘fix it fast’ signs project for councils to help address gaps in wayfinding signage along major shared paths. The goal was to introduce new wayfinding signs in ‘problem’ areas where visitors, and even locals, often get lost. The project resulted in 200 new signs and pavement markings being installed, providing a better experience for people using shared paths in our towns and cities. Above: A new sign in Wanganui.

4 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Much-anticipated WA’s Kalbarri

National Park Skywalk opens

The highly anticipated Kalbarri Skywalk in Kalbarri National Park has officially opened, providing a major tourism boost for Australia’s Coral Coast region. Located at West Loop lookout, the structure features two cantilevered viewing platforms that offer views of Murchison Gorge, River and surrounds. The platforms project 25m and 17m beyond the gorge rim, and more than 100m above the river. The site also has toilets, shade shelters, parking, interpretive artwork, improved road infrastructure and a soon to open kiosk. The universally accessible structure, which is part of a $24 million redevelopment of the tourism hotspot. The culture and stories of the Nanda Traditional Owners are showcased at the facility through interpretative and artistic elements, as well as an entry sign with the Nanda words for ‘sky’ and ‘walk’: kaju yatka. A six-hour drive from Perth, Kalbarri is well known for its National Park. A combination of coastal and inland landscapes, the coastal cliffs provide a vantage point to view humpback whales on their annual migration down Western Australia’s coastline between June and November each year, and access to some of the state’s most spectacular wildflowers. Annual visits to the Kalbarri National Park have increased by almost 100,000 over the past five years to more than 450,000 last year. The inland gorge sites of the National Park are open from 6am to 6pm daily at a cost of A$15 per vehicle All coastal sites of the Kalbarri National Park are free to visit. https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/kalbarri www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Keep Waikeremoana pristine or risk limiting access, says NZWC By New Zealand Walking Access Commission

People have a duty to care for the land and its kaitiaki when they visit it, says Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Chief Executive Ric Cullinane. Cullinane says news that freedom campers and visitors are dumping rubbish and felling trees at Lake Waikaremoana is deeply saddening. “Te Urewera is a unique and beautiful place. It now holds its own legal personhood status. We should treat it with the same respect and care that we treat people,” says Cullinane. Cullinane says Ngāi Tūhoe, who care for the land, should not be picking up after disrespectful recreational users. “If we do not treat land with respect then the people who care for that land will increasingly call to limit public access,” says Cullinane. The Commission’s role is to increase and support public access to the outdoors. Advocacy for better public access is much more difficult if people do not show respect and care with the access they already have. One of the responsibilities of the Commission is promoting rights and responsibilities of recreational land users and landholders.

Walk talk Teddy bears win an award

The New Zealand Bear Hunt was a winner in the event section of the WSP Golden Foot Awards 2020 announced at a formal ceremony held by video conference June 9. The Bear Hunt started as a little idea, turned into a nationwide movement, remaining local and community-oriented. The concept is to put teddy bears or toys in a window facing the street and to pin your bear to an on-line map. Walkers explore their neighbourhood, tracking down households taking part.

Your favourite walk could win you a free subscription We are looking for readers’ favourite New Zealand walks. Many of us go out regularly walking on a route which we class as our favourite, for a number of reasons. Perhaps because for it’s scenery, it’s safe, it’s challenging, it’s flat, it’s hilly, it’s varied, or for whatever reason. We would like you to tell us in your own words what is you favourite walk and why. Email us a story from say 250 up to 1200 words including a photo or photos. We will now give you a FREE subscription (six months or more, depending on the article), or extension to Walking New Zealand magazine for walks published. You can also post an article to Walking New Zealand, Freepost 78863, P O Box 1922, Palmerston North, or fax 06-358-6864. If sending a photo by email please make sure photos are in high resolution.

Our email address is: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz. Please put “My Favourite Walk” in the subject line and include your name and postal address.

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As more readers would like to read the magazine on line we have now increased the size to be able to be read on all devices. You can subscribe for 12 months for the digital edition for only $29.00. That is only $2.50 an issue). The digital edition is the same as the print edition. http://walking new zealand.co.nz/product/ digital-subscription-12months/

Correction

The full text of “A ramble on Anzac Day” by Hugh Kemp was unfortunately missed in isssue 268. The correct version can be seen on issuu. com free. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

New Zealand Walk

Cooks Cove Walkway to an historic monument

By Barbz Lowther

hile driving around East cape recently, we stopped off at Tolaga Bay to walk to Cooks Cove. This is a delightful two to three hour walk with spectacular views, and lots of interesting history. The walkway begins at the southern end of Tolaga Bay, near the wharf. A marked trail leads across farmland then up hill through a stand of Manuka. After climbing over a stile, we continued for about 20 minutes over open farmland dotted with cabbage trees, to another stile. Not far up from here, on the summit of Mt Hoturangi, was the magnificent Te Pourewa Beacon of light. This 12 meter high sculpture was erected in 2019 to commemorate Tupaiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landing at Cooks Cove, and to celebrate 250 years of dual heritage and shared future of Aotearoa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Zealand. Tupaia was the Tahitian navigator and priest onboard the Endeavour. The beacon shines at night so can be seen from afar.

Above: The Tolaga Bay Wharf - the longest wharf in New Zealand.

6 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Charlotte Zealand Walk Queen Track

Below left: Te Pourewa Beacon of lIight. Below right: Cabbage trees on the farmland.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

New Zealand Walk

Cooks Cove Walkway to an historic monument

8 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand Walk

We stopped a while to enjoy the sculpture before continuing on to a wooden platform. The views were spectacular - Cooks Cove, Mitre Rock and Pourewa Island. From here a well built and maintained path, with many wooden steps, wound down through manuka, kanuka and pungas to coastal flats .It was lovely and shady on a hot day. To the left was a short track under a natural archway to the sea. – ‘The hole in the wall’ or ‘Te Kotere o te Whenua. Not far away was a cave, supposedly where Tupaia slept during his time ashore, and also nearby ‘Cooks Well’, where sailAbove: Derek crossing the top stile. Below right: FLooking out from the ors found water. A few minutes across the flats viewing platform. Below left: Cooks Cove and beyond. was Cooks Cove,(Opoutama) a delightful little bay. This is where Captain Cook stayed to restock and repair the Endeavour, during his circumnavigation of New Zealand in 1769. Information panels give details of excavations at this site, showing that Maori had been living here since the 1300’s, hunting seals and Moas. It was fascinating. We retraced our steps, arriving back at the car in two and a half hours. If you have a couple of hours to spare it’s well worth doing. Below right: The hole in the wall.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Queen Charlotte Track

Testing our limits on the Queen Charlotte Track

Words by Wendy O’Malley Photos by daughter Becky

Cruise and Walk – Queen Charlotte Track Marlborough Sounds CRUISES for SENIORS In a controlled and safe environment

Affinity Cruises have been cruising with the NZ 60+ age range since 1996

What is a ‘Cruise and Walk? Live-a-board the vessel Affinity and go ashore each day to walk the different sections of the track. Fully catered, no heavy packs to carry, hot showers, comfy cabins. Departs from and returns to Picton.

www.affinitycruises.co.nz 0800 862 334 sales@affinitycruises.co.nz CRUISES also available for groups of FRIENDS or FAMILY

10 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

rom the pen of J.R.R. Tolkein and out of the mouth of Gandalf come these wise words: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” And so we decided. On a bleak September day, my daughter and I committed to a shared adventure. Becky emailed me one afternoon “I’m so depressed. I hate my job. I need something to look forward to. Let’s hike the Queen Charlotte.” The QC, a 70 kilometer track that overlooks the Marlborough Sounds at the top of South Island had been on my bucket list for years. It didn’t take much arm twisting for me to agree. The next few months flew by with planning, preparing and relishing the upcoming adventure. We took four packs-two large ones for our camping gear and two daypacks to carry our daily needs such as lunch, camera, water bottles, towels, raincoats and a first aid kit. On a sunny morning in January, we set off from Wanganui to catch the afternoon sailing of the Interisland Ferry. Due to my anxiety about being late, we arrived at the ferry terminal so early the gates weren’t even open yet. We parked in the shade and read our books until other early birds began to line up for the ferry. Sailing across the Cook Strait on the Interislander was a dream of blue skies and calm waters. We had a glass of wine to celebrate our bon voyage, took selfies and read our books until we docked in Picton. We could barely lift our camping packs, so the next morning I drove as close as I could to drop them off by the water taxi before leaving the ute in the long term parking and joining Becky on the Cougar Line boat. Above: Looking up at bird life. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Queen Charlotte Track

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Queen Charlotte Track

Testing our limits on the Queen Charlotte

Above: Becky goes exploring.

The first stop on our journey was a two-hour visit to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary. I made a good decision in booking this option as we both enjoyed exploring this unspoiled paradise. We hiked up to the look-out at the top of the island, checking the nesting boxes along the way for the adorable little blue penguins, who posed curiously for our camera. The trees were filled with bell birds, fantails and tuis belting out melodies. Becky returned to the dock to await the return of the water taxi, while I sat on a bench beside a shallow pool that attracted numerous birds. South Island saddlebacks, yellow-crowned parakeets and finches splashed happily a foot away from me. One cheeky South Island robin hopped up to sit beside me on the bench. Meanwhile, back at the dock, Becky was coaxing the owner of a luxury yacht to take her photo on his boat. I wandered back to the dock just in time to see an exuberant seal twisting and flipping in the water. From Motuara Island, it was a short boat ride over to Ship Cove where the QC track began. This historic spot is where Captain Cook parked his ship up and began to explore New Zealand. We set off from the Cove just after 11am. It seemed to both of us that the majority of that first dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hike was uphill, through lush, primordial forest. Five hours of mostly climbing, swimming in our own sweat, we finally reached our first nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

The Queen Charlotte Track The iconic Queen Charlotte Track, stretching from Meretoto/Ship Cove to Anakiwa, is a journey from past to present, via panoramic ocean views, thriving native bush and encounters with the likes of weka, fantail, wood pigeon and even seals. Visit to find out more.

Book your water taxis, accommodation and track pass with Marlborough i-SITES on 0800 777 181 12 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Queen Charlotte Track

Above: You meet lots of folk on the track. destination: Miner’s Camp. Adding the hour of hiking we’d done at Motuara Island, we’d knocked out six hours of hiking on our first day. Miner’s Camp was an oasis, run by two hospitable angels, Graeme and Gillian, and populated by friendly farm animals. We set up our tent under the bountiful fruit trees in the orchard, and enjoyed a well-deserved wine. Hot solar showers and fresh hard-boiled eggs were features of this camp but another highlight was eating Deep South ice cream in Graeme and Gillian’s lounge while watching the weather report. Our second day’s hike between Miner’s Camp and Camp Bay seemed like a leisurely stroll in comparison. It took us under three hours and we hardly broke a sweat. We made a friend on this leg of the journey whose trail name was “River.” He had started out 71 days earlier to do the Te Araroa Trail. He was hiking the entire trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff in bare feet. “I’ve already raised $1500 for several animal charities,” he beamed. As we walked together, River entertained us with his passionate tales, swinging his manuka staff as though parting the waters before him. A dedicated vegan, he’d been forced to close his café rather than compromise his ethics when management insisted he include cow’s milk on his menu. Blogging his walk, River had already bought a ticket to South America where he planned to volunteer after he completed the TA. We ate lunch together at Camp Bay, which we agreed to rename Stingray Bay, after Becky’s swim was cut short by a school of stingrays who circled her with stingers sticking out of the water like submarine scopes. River left us with these wise words: “Embrace the suck. It’s the awful times that really make you appreciate the good times.” We lugged our packs from the dock up to our tent site and registered with the camp host, a chatty girl www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Queen Charlotte Track walking packages Let us arrange it all for you Includes: • Private, en suite rooms • Luggage transfers • Restaurant meals available • Daily packed lunches • Pre-trip briefing • Private Land Track Pass • Information kit and map Locally owned and operated family business based in Picton

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Queen Charlotte Track

Testing our limits on the Queen Charlotte

from Wellington. “Have you seen Bush Gary?” she asked Becky. “No, who’s he?” “A guy who lives off the land. He’s got a secret camp somewhere in the bush and he hunts goats and possums with his dogs.” “We’ll keep an eye out for him,” Becky replied. We set up our tent then took the five minute walk to Punga Cove where there was a delightful café on the water that our camp host highly recommended. Sitting on the dock, cooled by a breeze off the water, we enjoyed icey drinks, pizza and salt and pepper squid.

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Above: Magnificent views from this lookout. Primo! Back at the tent, we fell asleep early and snoozed until the joyous morning chorus of native birds gently welcomed us to our third day on the QC. Girding ourselves with food and water, we started on the longest leg of our journey, crossing privately owned land between Camp Bay and Cow Shed Bay. We paid a small fee for the privilege of traversing these craggy landscapes with jagged shale, mossy rocks and manuka groves. As we walked, we saw a sign saying “Don’t Miss Eatwell’s Lookout.” Curious, we climbed a steep shot track up to the look out. An amazing panoramic view rewarded our climb. Becky made friends with many fellow trampers, by offering to take their pictures with the magnificent view as backdrop, earning her the trail name “The Official Photographer.” I had already earned my trail name “Wrong Way Wendy” when I got muddled trying to find the right track to take us out of Punga Cove. The view at Eatwell’s was truly stunning, but my heart was warmed even more by the sign explaining how Rod Eatwell had made a difference in many lives by his determination to develop the QC trail and share his land for the benefit of others. Rod Eatwell lived out the maxim that one person truly can be the change in the world. As we hiked along, I saw a faint path leading off into the bush.

14 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

“Maybe that leads to Bushman Gary’s camp,” I suggested. We laughed at the notion of a wild man lurking somewhere out of sight. “It’s our third day hiking and I haven’t had a proper swim yet!” moaned Becky as the sun beat down on our heads. A trickling spring revived us and we set off again, wondering how much longer till we spotted Cow Shed Bay. I was delighted when I found a painted rock, blue with a yellow daisy, hidden on a shale ledge along the trail. Becky was delighted when a bare-chested Adonis powered past us in the opposite direction, favouring her with a greeting. Nine hours after setting off that morning, we reached Cow Shed Bay. Becky was limping from a blister on her heel. We went to the Portage Hotel to gather our camp bags, feeling trail weary, dusty and grumpy. A receptionist kindly welcomed us and urged us to enjoy a cold drink on the balcony overlooking the bay. She didn’t have to ask us twice. Sitting on the balcony with a cider, I blissed out,trying not to think about setting up camp. Becky eyed the sparkling hotel pool beyond the balcony. “I would do anything to swim in that pool right now,” she whispered. Twenty minutes later, we ditched the campground for a chalet at The Portage and were twirling like seals in the hotel pool. That night, after hot showers, we dined like royalty at a banquet style meal with multiple salads, vegetables, pastas, meats and desserts. It was all the more delicious for being an unplanned bonus, a reward for our strenuous efforts of the day. We ate up, knowing the next day would be another ‘six to eight hour’ walk with the added pressure of needing to meet the boat by 3:30pm in Anakiwa. Setting off at 6am from Portage on our fourth day, we were glad we fueled up for a one hour fifteen minute climb to the highest spot www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Queen Charlotte Track

Above lef t: Becky and Wendy enjoying a drink at the Portage Hotel. Above right: Tenting. of the day Shamrock Ridge, 407 metres above the sea. As we headed down to Mistletoe Bay, we hiked through an area that evoked a “Lord of the Rings” feel. We climbed down tree root steps, hanging on to vines, feeling like hobbits amongst towering black beech trees. We powered through the final leg to Anakiwa, keeping an eye out for the markers counting down the last ten kilometers. Each kilometer seemed to stretch as long as a magician’s handkerchief. We reached Anakiwa in plenty of time for a drink and an icecream from the Green Caravan Café before catching the boat back to Picton. We celebrated our successful traverse of the Queen Charlotte by eating fish and chips on the Picton waterfront, watching people strolling under the palm trees and swimming in the bay. “Bushman Gary!” Becky suddenly exclaimed. A bearded man carrying several packs bristling with weapons, three dogs ranging about him, turned his head to stare at us. We

waved. Confused, he walked up to us. “Do I know you?” he asked, searching our faces in doubt. “No, but we heard about you when we were hiking the Queen Charlotte,” Becky explained. A grin lit up his face and he pounded his chest like a caveman. “ Ye s ! I a m a l e g e n d ! ” h e proclaimed with a booming laugh. “I’ve just come to town to sell my possum fur and buy a ticket on the ferry. I’m heading to Gisborne for a couple months to shoot goats.” “We’re heading back on the ferry too. Let us know if you need a lift,” we offered, as we fed the remainder of our chips to his friendly dogs. The ferry tossed and heaved us back to Wellington, our stomachs joining in. With great relief, we staggered off the Interislander, green to the gills. On blessed dry land, we spotted the bushman and his dogs waiting for a lift. And that was how our ute overflowed with packs, dogs and the local legend on our return

journey. Artist and ardent activist against 1080, the bushman told us his secret name “Mof” and showed us how he set up camp by tying his hammock between two trees and rigging a tarp over the top. “Why do you live in the bush?” we asked him. “It’s my way of finding out my limits and seeing how strong and resourceful I am,” he explained. We understood that reason because hiking the QC was our way of testing ourselves. Memories of jaw-dropping views, lush native bush and interesting characters will belong to us forever. We’ve earned these sweet memories in exchange for our swollen feet, sweat and grit-a small price to pay for a fine adventure.

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Visit the Official Website of the Queen Charlotte Track www.qctrack.co.nz www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Lockdown Activities

Lockdown activities

With everyone staying in their bubble during the lockdown, our local streets have more people walking and cycling for physical activity and getting to the local supermarket. Communities across the country have found creative ways to encourage more local physical exercise. The placement of teddy bears, and later Easter egg pictures, in windows as a form of physically distant scavenger hunt have been fun for big and little kids alike. Many have used chalk on the ground to draw pictures, write words of encouragement or develop obstacle courses for local residents. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done anything active in your neighbourhood to encourage exercise, like walking etc, using our then currently quiet streets, please share your story with us. Just email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz with a story from say 100 words with one image and if published you could win a free six month subscription or extension to Walking New Zealand magazine. Include your name and postal address. Here are what some readers have been doing during early parts of the lockdown.

Helping walkers along the way

orty years ago, I joined a newly formed jogging group associated with the Pakuranga Athletic Club in Auckland. Back then, we were all young stay at home mums, who after dropping our kids at school met for a run and a coffee afterward. In the 1980s the group had a membership of about 80 members. In the 1990s numbers dropped, as mums went back to work and the remaining joggers either injured or aged could no longer run. It was inevitable that eventually we would need to include walkers in our group, which we (very reluctantly I may add) did in the late 1990s. We need not have worried, by including walkers, a resurgence in membership was created and now today we have a membership which totals around the 140 mark most aged in their 60s,70s or 80s and the walkers far outnumber the joggers. Many of those original stay at home mums are still with us or have rejoined over the ensuing years, along with a large group of other retired men and women.

16 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Numerous, life-long friendships have been formed over the years as members travel and socialize. Each Tuesday and Thursday morning regardless of the weather, we have at least 70-80 of these 140 members turn up for their walks and runs. Twenty years ago, I had the honour of becoming the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chairman and along with a small committee we organize the day to day activities and outings. In the locality of Pakuranga and Howick we are very spoilt with wonderful walking paths, some of which have featured in Walking NZ over the years. Our members enjoy the Pakuranga Rotary Walkway which runs beside the Tamaki River, Lloyd Elsmore Park, the picturesque Cascade Walkway, Botany and the Eastern and Buckland beaches. To keep all of the members motivated during the Covid-19 lockdown, each Tuesday and Thursday morning around the time that they would usually be meeting for their exercise, I send out an email of encouragement to remind all the members to go out for their walks or runs. Many of these members live alone and with just one person in it, your bubble can become very lonely. I usually start and finish the email with a Covid-19 cartoon, I include some words of encouragement, news of other members and let them know that I am walking daily as well. Members email me back letting me know what they are doing to pass the time, telling me how they are coping, they also tell me how much they look forward to receiving these emails and how they smile at the jokes. I am told where they go for their walks and who they see along the way. While my members may appreciate and look forward to receiving these emails, I feel that I am by far the luckier one. Composing the emails and receiving the replies from these wonderful people, keeps me occupied while in my bubble. From Linda Mitchell (Chairman), Pakuranga Athletic Club Joggers and Walkers Section. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Lockdown Activities

it is a delightful area to visit. It has been great to get out into the fresh air and enjoy these walkways, many of the locals are out and about having their daily exercise either on foot or by bike. From Di Oliver, Clive.

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Waitangi Regional Park

I am very fortunate to live in Clive, Hawkes Bay not too far from the sea and the wonderful Waitangi Regional Park. So walking is a great activity as we can usually walk the 10km into Napier or go south to Cape Kidnappers or head inland toward Hastings. However as I found out the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has closed many of the longer stretches of the pathways as we are in level 4 and need to stay local. So my walk is either to Atea a Rangi Star Compass at Awatoto or a walk from the Evers Swindell Reserve to Black Bridge and return the same way. The rest of my bubble prefer to ride their bikes around these areas. Both walks are along the limestone walkways, either beside the stop banks or along the top. With great fresh sea air and views out to the sea and close up viewing of the estuaries. The walk south to Black Bridge takes you through a wonderful bird habitat and sometimes near the East Clive wastewater plant, seals can be seen resting. Heading north to Atea a Rangi there are two bridge crossings, both safely navigated by the foot bridge extensions to the main road bridges. You get to walk behind Hohepa Dairy Farm in a sweeping arc, then cross the Ngaruroro River and arrive at Atea a Rangi, a wetland area that has in recent times been created, with locals have helped to plant much of the area, walking paths have been established throughout and

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Photo Contest

Above left: Morning perfection! - Mt Ruapehu. Photo taken from Mangaehuehu Hut before setting off for Mountain Road. Photo by Lynette de Malmanche, Papamoa.

Cover Photo: Members of the Air New Zealand Outdoors club admiring the view overlooking Bethellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach. Photo by Jo Alexander of Henderson, Auckland.

Monthly Photo Contest

Below left: Matamata Tramping Club Tramp up to local Wairere Falls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the last scenic section of the track just prior to reaching the top of the falls lookout. Photo by Carey Reynolds, Matamata.

18 NewZealand, Zealand,issue issue 2020 18 Walking Walking New nono 269269- 2020

Below right: Hiking in the low cloud along the NorthSouth track on the Kaimai Range, Waikato. Photo by Sue Eccles, Te Aroha.

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Photo Contest

Above right: Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill, in the Canterbury high country approximately 90 km from Christchurch, is characterised by its distinctive limestone rock formations and is a mecca of exploring adventures, perfect for families young and old. It is a collection of rock formations to climb and explore. Photo by Claire Woodhall, Havelock North.

Above: The above photo was taken while walking the Tussock Traverse event, held at Tongariro National Park. Photo by Jenni Turner, Te Puke.

We are looking for the best digital photos each month depicting walking Now the time to get your digital camera out or look through your digital images and enter the

Walking New Zealand Digital Photo Contest The image could be a scenic scene, a walk on the beach with the dog, a bush walk, a street walk or anything walking that takes your fancy. The rules are simply: there must be a person or persons walking in the picture either front, side or back on, and can be in the distance. We require an emailed image in high resolution mode, in jpeg format as an attachment, and NOT embedded in Word or in the email, and NOT a link to a website to be downloaded. The subject line must have the words “Walking New Zealand Photo Contest” and the email must include the NAME, POSTAL ADDRESS and phone number of the person who took the photo and a small caption. In this contest only ONE emailed photo accepted per month. Entry in the contest automatically allows us to print the image. The person who has their photo published will receive a six month subscription or a renewal to Walking New Zealand magazine of six months. If a picture is chosen for the cover page the person will receive a 12 month subscription or renewal.

Email your entries to: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz with subject line “Walking New Zealand Photo Contest”Only EMAILED entries will be accepted.

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Walking WalkingNew NewZealand, Zealand,issue issueno no269 269- -2020 2020 19 19

Rotorua Area Walks

Short walks around Rotorua Okere Falls Te Puke 36 

33 

Kaharoa Kōkako Track Hamurana Springs

Hinehopu Track

Tauranga

Lake Rotoehu

Hamurana

Lake Rotoiti

Ohau Channel

30 

Kawerau & Whakatane

Lake Rotorua Putararu 5 

Okataina Shorter Walks

Mokoia Island

Ngongotaha

i-SITE & Visitor Centres

Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Centre, 1167 Fenton Street (DOC Visitor Centre Ranger available on part time basis)

City focus, Cnr Hinemoa and Tutanakai Streets

The Redwoods Visitor Centre and i-SITE, Long Mile Road, Rotorua

Mt Whakapoungakau 758 m

Mt Ngongotaha 757 m

Rotorua Airport

Rotorua

Eastern Okataina Track Makatiti Dome

Lake Okataina

Fenton St

Ngongotaha Jubilee Track & Nature Loop

Mistletoe Track

Whakarewarewa / Te Puia

934 m

Northern Tarawera Track

Lake Okareka Campsite

Lake Okareka

Rotorua mountain bike car park

Humphries Bay Campsite

Blue Lake Track

Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

Tikitapu Nature Walk

Tarawera Falls

Okareka Walkway

Tarawera Outlet Campsite

Lake Tarawera

Tarawera Lookout 30 

Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake)

Tokoroa

Buried Village

Mt Tarawera 1111 m

Tarawera Trail Hotwater Beach Campsite

5 

Legend

Isthmus Track

Lake Rotomahana

Information Campsite Geothermal bathing Geothermal feature Historic site Carpark

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Highway Sealed road Metalled road Walking track

Lake Okaro Campsite

Rainbow Mtn Craters & Summit Track

Brett Rd Campsite

Lake Okaro

Guy Roe Campsite

rew

ait

Maungakakaramea / Rainbow Mountain 743 m

ett

Waiotapu Mudpool

Lake Rerewhakaaitu

Bre

tt R

Waikite Hot Pools

Ash Pit Rd Campsite

Kerosene Creek

38 

Murupara

Taupo

20 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Twin Streams Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

5km

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10km

Rotorua Area Walks

Okere Falls Track 30 minutes 1 way, 1.2 km This is a well-formed bush walk with scenic lookouts over the Kaituna River and its spectacular waterfalls. Once the site of one of New Zealand’s first hydroelectric power stations, this area is steeped in European and Māori history. Getting there: Follow SH33 for 21km from Rotorua CBD, past Rotorua International Airport, until you reach Okere Falls. Turn left onto Trout Pool Road and continue until you see the car park on the right. (X: 1,893,527 Y: 5,787,310)

Ngongotaha Nature Loop 1 hour loop, 2.5 km Meander through unlogged native bush in tranquil surroundings. Interpretation panels along the way provide information on the plants and animals in the Reserve. For a more vigorous walk, try the Jubilee Track which heads to the summit of Mount Ngongotaha. Both the Nature loop and the Jubilee Track leave from Violet Bonnington Reserve, at the end of Paradise Valley Road. Rotorua City Ride bus route 7 ( Mitchell Downs via Clayton Road) provides transport to and from Pukuatua Street (Rotorua CBD) to the corner of Clayton and Pukehangi Roads. The entrance to the tracks is about 10 minutes walk up Paradise Valley Road (X:1,879,591 Y:5,774,793)

Rainbow Mountain Summit Track 1 hour 30 minutes to the summit, 2.5 km Check out Rotorua’s geothermal wonders by climbing to the summit of Maunga Kakaramea (Mountain of coloured earth). Enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the Rotorua area once you reach the top. Extend your day by visiting Waiotapu - New Zealand’s largest mud pool. Travel south-east of Rotorua for 26 km along the Rotorua-Taupo highway (SH5). Parking for the Summit Track is on the left just past the turning for SH38. NZTM X: 1,895,162 Y:5,753,838 To visit Waiotapu mud pool, continue past Rainbow Mountain for 5.5 km to Waiotapu Loop Road, on the left opposite Waikite Road. NZTM X: 1,895,131 Y:5,753,811

Blue Lake Track 1 hour 30 minutes, 5.5 km Take in views of the beautiful Blue Lake (Lake Tikitapu) by walking this looped track. The track can be walked in either direction. Park at the lakefront car park (NZTM X: 1,891,522 Y: 5,768,313). To walk clockwise, follow the road to your left. Alternatively, find the entrance into the bush by walking to the far right of the sanded area.

Hamurana Springs walk, 30 minute loop, 1.6 km Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, this is an easy, tranquil streamside walk. The waters of the springs are a Wildlife Sanctuary and play host to many bird species including scaup and the endangered dabchick. The springs are a major source of the water supply for the Hamurana and Ngongotaha areas. Hamurana is a 15-20 minute drive from Rotorua, 7 km past Ngongotaha. The car park is on the left just past the golf course (X: 1,886,062 Y:5,785,363)

For more information pick up a copy of ‘Explore Rotorua’ or visit www.doc.govt.nz

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Rotorua Area Walks

Ten great Rotorua walks and trails

ere are some of the great Rotorua’s most active geothermal Rotorua walks and trails park. that the region has to Waiotapu offer: 30 to 75 minutes Orakei Korako Explore the alien landscape of 1 to 1.5 hour loop New Zealand’s most colourful and Wander through the hidden diverse geothermal attraction. geothermal valley, marvelling at Kuirau Park New Zealand’s only geothermal 15 minutes cave. In the heart of the city, Kuirau Hells Gate Park’s walkways wind their way Approximately 1.5 hour guided through mud pools, boiling lakes tour and geothermal wonders. . Follow the footsteps of ancient Waimangu Volcanic Valley warriors as you learn the history of 45 minutes to four hours (dependant on trail) Marvel at hot water lakes, craters

Foldable Hiking Sticks

and silica formations at the world’s youngest geothermal system. Skyline Nature Walk 15 minutes to one hour View exotic and native plantings as you take advantage of the fantastic views at the top of Mount Ngongataha. Sulphur Point Time hours Discover steamy thermal areas as you enjoy the scenic trail on the edge of downtown Rotorua. Hamurana Springs Approximately 30 min loop Walk under towering redwoods as you marvel at the magic blue, green and turquoise waters of Hamurana. Tarawera Trail Five to six hours (pickup available) Billed as one of NZ’s next great walks, the trail ends at Hot Water Beach where you can soak in a natural hot pool. Blue Lake (Tikitapu) Track 1.5 hours loop Amongst native bush and quiet beaches, this track provides stunning vistas over the Blue and Green Lakes. Above; Looking over the city of Rotorua and Lake Rotorua.

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22 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

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Rotorua Area Walks

Tarawera Trail- a great nature walk

he 15km Tarawera Trail is one of New Zealand’s great native walks, winding around Lake Tarawera to the popular Te Rata Bay (Hot Water Beach). Experience something completely new - The 15km Tarawera Trail, a native walk winding around Lake Tarawera to the popular Te Rata Bay (Hot Water Beach). The one-way walk takes moderately fit walkers around 4-5 hours to complete and is the first of a proposed network of trails, planned for development in the future, involving the New Zealand Department of Conservation and Maori private landowners to connect the 14 Te Arawa Lakes in this area. The 15km walk starts at Te Wairoa carpark off Tarawera Road, with opening views of

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

beautiful Lake Tarawera. Follow the trail through Kotukutuku Bay and after 5 kilometres, stop at Hawaiki Bay to enjoy lake access and a picnic area with toilet facilities. The track continues with intermittent climbs, through lakeside bushland into Te Hinau Bay, passing over Twin Streams cold springs. After an uphill climb to reach the Rotomahana lookout point, descend into Te Rata Bay to enjoy a soak at Hot Water Beach. The cultural and historic stories make the one-way trail unique as walkers can brush up on the region’s rich history by reading the info panels along the trail. Whether you start your walk from Hot Water Beach or arrive there after a 15km mission, when you arrive you’ll be greeted by steam coming off the lake. Gather some rocks and create yourself

a private lake-edge pool or follow the stream inland where you can take a dip in a secluded bush pool. Thrill-seekers will be chuffed to know there’s a jumping rock nearby to perfect that cannonball. There’s a fantastic Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite at Hot Water Beach which means after your hike, you can pitch a tent and stay a few days. In summer the shore is abundant with boats and with only 30 camp sites, bookings are a must. To book your site visit whakarewarewa. com/Tarawera. There are some great options for getting to and from the trail including water taxis which do daily trips to Hot Water Beach. The Tarawera Trail carpark gates are closed overnight for security. Lake Tarawera Water Taxi offer watertaxi services across the lake. Above left: Daves’s Water Taxis. Above right: Lake Tarawera.

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Rotorua Area Walks

24 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Rotorua Area Walks

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

BOI Walking Weekend

By Steph Godsiff Trek the trails of Kororareka’s turbulent past . .

Mana, missionaries and mayhem

here is so much heritage, history and culture in the Bay of Islands, rich in Maori and pre-European stories of how the country was settled. On the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend from 16,17,18th October 2020 we have introduced a new walk this year which brings these stories to life. It makes a huge difference being in a location and really understanding what went on – often in the spot you are sitting. “Mana, missionaries and mayhem” sets the scene perfectly for your time in Russell. Russell (Kororareka as it was then known) was once the main trading port in Aotearoa, with the

infamous reputation as the ‘hell hole of the Pacific’. Home to American whalers and traders of all nations, it was a scene of ‘uncivilised behaviour’ described by Charles Darwin in his visit to New Zealand in 1835 as ‘the land of cannibalism, murder and all atrocious crimes’. It was known then as the biggest whaling port in the Southern Hemisphere and turned out to be a bit of an eye opener for the missionaries. Up to 500 whalers at a time would arrive in Russell after twelve months at sea, and with Russell having no effective law enforcement agency, the scene was not ideal. Prostitution was one of the

area’s largest industries and many local women frequently entered 3-week marriages. It is anything but that today as your guided walk in this enchanting seaside town will soon reveal. Indeed, alongside this picture of ‘vice’ ran the voice of ‘virtue’ as Missionaries sought to convert local Maori (and anyone else who would listen) to Christianity. There is a decent hike up through magnificent Kororareka Point Reserve to Te Maiki Hill where a party led by the famed Maori chief Hone Heke felled the flagstaff for the final time in 1845 sparking the Battle of Kororareka, the first of the Northern Wars. Take in New Zealand’s oldest surviving church, Christ Church built 1836, where bullet holes from musket fire of the Northern Wars can still be seen in its walls, and New Zealand’s oldest factory

Above: Russell Waterfront. Stephen Western Photgraphy.

26 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Photo

Below lef t: On the Duke of Marlborough Hotel deck. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

BOI Walking Weekend

- the 1841 Printery, Tannery and Bindery at Pompallier Mission. Oldest factory makes it sound somewhat dull! Pompallier Mission is anything but – it’s set on the water’s edge and is a stunning French building set in gorgeous grounds. Finish this walk with a taste at New Zealand’s oldest licensed hotel The Duke of Marlborough. The Duke of Marlborough began its life in 1827 as Johnny Johnston’s Grog Shop. The owner Johnny Johnston was an exconvict come good, he became fluent in Te Reo Maori and was very well regarded by the local Maori. This relationship led to Johnny being able to purchase the freehold site of the Duke which was one of the first land sales to a European in New Zealand. To sit on the deck enjoying a cold drink overlooking the water is a real pleasure – made more so

as you imagine the days gone by. This walk is fascinating and includes a private tour of Pompallier Mission and a drink at the Duke. The Bay of Island Walking Weekend has over 20 walks to choose from, it is in its 7th year and has many repeat walkers coming each year which speaks volumes for the event. You can walk the islands – travelling out by sail boat, tall ship or launch, we walk to vineyards for

tastings and platters, stroll past oyster farms and enjoy seafood feasts, stay overnight at Iconic Cape Brett, we walk and kayak and we walk and bike! The weekend is over three days, walks are guided, and group size is limited. It is a fun social weekend right in the heart of the Bay of Islands. View the website www.boiwalkingweekend.co.nz Call us 021 122 9307

Above left: Christ Church, Russell.

Photo David Kirkland.

Above right: A group having fun on last year’s event. Below left: Pompallier Mission House.

BAY OF ISLANDS WALKING WEEKEND

Islands – Vineyards – Iconic Cape Brett Kayak & Walk – Bike & Walk – Night Walks Sail & Walk - 18 guided walks All ages and capabilities. Small walking groups up to 20 people. Explore the history, culture & natural beauty of the Bay of Islands, on a fun social weekend.

A “Must Do!” on all walkers lists the website for full details 16, 17, 18 See www.boiwalkingweekend.co.nz OCTOBER Phone 021 122 9307 2020 LIMITED NUMBERS, BOOK NOW! www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Need 2 Know

“Hey girls, can you carry a bit of extra gear for me?” - I asked my tramping friends before heading off on our summer trip. Carrying a backpack had never been a problem for me, but now it was!

POP goes my pelvis!

Active women dealing with Pelvic Organ Prolapse By Anja Morris

ou might tell a friend over a cup of coffee that you’ve got a sore back, but “Guess what happened, my bladder/uterus/rectum slipped.”? Not likely! So I decided to talk about pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This condition is common. It affects approximately 50 percent of women and 30 percent of female athletes, some of whom haven’t even given birth. It remains under the radar, despite the impact it can have on daily life. POP goes my pelvis! aims to raise awareness and share informa-

tion – because so little info is available. These stories are from active women around New Zealand who have experienced prolapse. I love the outdoors. I’m a keen tramper. I do stand up paddleboarding (SUP) and surfing, kiteboarding, sailing. I run bush skills courses for women. I feel fit and active. So why me? That was the question I asked myself when, in July 2019, my uterus unexpectedly slipped lower than it should be. It was a scary feeling, complete loss of control. Visits to the GP, pelvic physiotherapist and gynecologist followed, starting me on a new

28 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Above: Author Anja Morris journey. Pelvic physio angels (in my case Claire Baker from Bay Physiotherapy, Tauranga) radiate empathy and support and Claire helped me regain physical stability. But the big question I kept asking myself was “How do other active women deal with the restrictions that POP has on their sporting activities? The physical, but especially the mental impacts?” To find some answers, I decided to compile this book – shared stories from women across New Zealand affected by POP. My aim is to give encouragement, hope and support to other women. To assure them that they are not alone; that getting an activity-related positive buzz is still possible! www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Need 2 Know

And when it feels like something has slipped ‘down there’, women need all the help they can get. I am currently seeking contributions and funding. For further information or to contribute, please email Anja Morris at anjaoutdoors@gmail.com Liz Childs of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, Wellington (also National Executive member, Continence NZ and Clinical Lecturer, University of Otago Medical School, Wellington) explains POP. below: Pelvic organ prolapse is extremely common, but unfortunately there’s a huge lack of awareness Above: With good friends on the Kaimai Ranges. Below middle: Anja about it. Often women don’t seek help on the Ruahine Ranges. Below Descending Mitre Peak on the Tararua – they don’t know where to go, Ranges. and many don’t even know that help is available. Because pelvic floor problems cause shame and embarrassment, they’re not talked about and women end up suffering in silence. Pelvic health physiotherapists have extra skills and training to help women with pelvic floor problems, including prolapse. There is strong evidence that a personalised pelvic floor strengthening programme, and advice on lifestlye modifications, can reduce prolapse. We can guide women through their rehabilitation and help stop symptoms. Our aim is to help women achieve their exercise and lifestyle goals – be that lifting children, walking, running, climbing etc. Every woman should be able to participate in the activities they enjoy, and not be limited by pelvic floor dysfunction. I am so pleased that Anja plans to highlight prolapse issues in a book about her experience, and those of other New Zealand women. These personal stories will enable others to see that they are not alone, and that they can get help. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

New Zealand Walk

Bird life and song highlight of

Above: The bridge in the paddock. Middle: The happy group! Below left: Richard tries the ancient long drop (for sighs!) Below right: Emerging frond,

30 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

he forecast for the day’s tramp wasn’t as good as you would hope when taking a tramp but 26 hardy Wednesday Trampers set off in the cold and showers for Bushy Park, north of Kai Iwi and Aramoho Walkway in Wanganui. By Bob Hodgson Bushy Park is a 98 hectare remnant of NZ’s finest lowland rainforest. 5km of pest proof fencing and dedicated volunteers have seen most of the pests eradicated in the forest. Starting our walk from the car park down to Festival Track we made our way on tracks and bait lines around the park, taking in the beautiful bush, listening to the bird life the saddlebacks seen and heard calling all around us. On to the farmland we had good views of the surrounding area, coast and “long drop”. We had morning tea by ratanui, the huge rata, the largest in NZ and thought to be a 1000 years old. Finishing the western side of the forest we had tramped 8km. We then made our way to the beautifully restored Homestead for a look around the rooms inside and our Devonshire Tea. Tramping gear (boots off ) didn’t seem quite the attire for the elegance of the dining room with silver service. Dale who has been the manager at Bushy Park for 12 months and doing an excellent job gave us an interesting talk on the history of the Homestead and park. The hardy trampers then had www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand Walk

Bushy Park to leave the warmth and comfort of the homestead and go back out into the cold to finish the rest of the tracks, mainly the wetland area where a lot of kereru were seen in the tree lucerne. Some hihi also seen at their feeding stations. Between showers we left Bushy Park to the Aramoho Walkway to do the 4km of new track to be part of the Mountain to Sea Trail, once the bridge waiting already built gets the go ahead to be placed across the Wanganui River. The drivers dropped their trampers off and drove to the end of the 4km. However there was a hail storm shortly after and the drivers returned feeling sorry for the walkers, but offers to get back in cars were waved aside as the hail had stopped by then and the walkers finished the 4 km. Right: Bird watching.

Bushy Park Sanctuary a top restoration project

Bushy Park Sanctuary is located on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, at 791 Rangitatau East Road. It is eight kilometres from Kai Iwi and 25 kilometres from Whanganui City. The sanctuary is a 100 hectare predator-free native bird sanctuary, set amongst one of the few patches of virgin lowland forest. According to Ecological Management & Restoration, the journal of The Ecological Society of Australia along with SER International, the world’s premier restoration body, have ranked Bushy Park as one of Australasia’s “Top 25” Restoration Projects. Within the Bushy Park Sanctuary there are 3.4km of metalled or wellformed walking tracks throughout www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

the forest providing easy all-weather access for visitors. Tree species include mahoe, mamaku, pukatea, rata, and rimu along with colonies of ferns and mosses. A feature of the reserve is a large northern rata Metrosideros robusta named Ratanui (“Big Rata”). It is estimated to be between 500 and 1000 years old and is 43 metres in height and has a girth that exceeds 11 metres. With a wide variety of birdlife thriving in the sanctuary, on your visit you will be able to see or hear species such as bellbirds, kereru, north island robin, saddlebacks, hihi, moreporks as well as the falcon, fantail, grey warbler, mallard, pukeko, silvereye, kingfishers, and white-faced heron. The sanctuary is home to some kiwi too.

Giraffe weevils, glowworms, and huhu beetles also inhabit Bushy Park. As well as the Sanctuary, the property also features an Edwardianera homestead that is a Category One Heritage Building registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The 22-room homestead, designed by Charles Tilleard Natusch, includes a 33 metre long, 1.8 metre-wide hall that runs the length of the residence. In 1962 G.F.Moore bequeathed Bushy Park to the Royal New Zealand Forest & Bird Protection Society. In 1995 the Society transferred ownership of the Homestead, Stables and a surrounding area of 11.7ha. (27acres) to an independent Trust now known as Bushy Park Trust who continue to run the Park.

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

My Favourite Walk

Curio Bay experiences - Southland

By Brenda Greene

ne of the most least disturbed examples of a Jurassic fossil forest in the world is exposed at Curio Bay during low tide. The forest stretches about 20Â km from Curio Bay south west to Slope Point. Wi-fi free, here

local volunteers will research your family ties (a lot of the area was settled by Australians) back to whalings and rimu logging. No photos can be taken. We thoroughly enjoyed the displays on you remember what it means to get back to nature. early Maori history, whaling, forestry and We travelled via Tokanui and Waikawa, stopping at the early settler home life, and were inspired excellent Waikawa Museum and church. For a small fee, to make a donation.

Above left: A massive staircase on the cliff face. Above right: The entire rock platform is fossilized wood. Below left: Forest remnant similar to that fossilised at Curio. Below right: View from the lookout near the campground.

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32 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

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My Favourite Walk

A $2.5 million visitor centre called Tumo Toka Curioscape opened in December 2017. There is a large and obvious carparking area on your approach to the right, a large café which serves excellent meals and drinks, and you can pay $15 to see displays. A collaboration between local iwi, the Department of Conservation, Southland District Council, Venture Southland Design, the Tumo Toka Curioscape building design and layout is stunning. Still in its development phase is traffic and people management. The large Curio Bay campground on the headland adjacent is planted in masses of protective native flax and faces a safe swimming beach. Road access to the campground is in front of Tumo Toka Curioscape. Access to the campground was frequently blocked by cars parked in front of the visitor centre, and frequent buses that tried to offload numerous passengers and turn here. We were a bit early for low tide, so had a cuppa at the cafe, wrapped up warm and walked to the lookout behind the campground. It’s a stunning view. We made our own way down onto the shore platform, mesmerised by waves rushing up bull kelp lined guts. Hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin and korari/blue penguin nest or rest on the coast. Nearly everyone ignored the wordy signs on the penguin walk. Some of the excellent visual interpretive signs on the stairs could be understood by a large proportion of the international visitors. A rope laid across the rocks attached to a small sign stating “Do not cross the rope, penguins nesting or resting” was inconspicuous or could not be understood. We would have happily given a small donation to uniformed staff for a 5-minute talk on the stair platform or out of the wind on the return penguin walk. After two hours exploring the coast, we climbed the massive staircase for another excellent view over the shoreline. We then walked five minutes inland to explore a remnant totara forest that was being restored by the local community. It was pleasant to be out of the wind and in the shade, and we heard bellbirds, white eyes and fantails. We thought about heading south to Slope Point for more coastal views and wind swept trees, but after another cuppa, headed back to our accommodation in the Catlins. Curio Bay is signposted from the Southern Scenic Route, which follows SH92 from the Catlins from Invercargill to Balclutha.

Our email address is: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz. Please put “My Favourite Walk” in the subject line and include your name and postal address. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

NEWS

The Living Streets

Aotearoa Walking awards

Earlier this month Living Streets Aotearoa hosted the New Zealand Walking Awards which celebrate and recognise achievements for walkers. The awards acknowledge innovative new facilities, highlight national best practice and reward ongoing commitments to walking. The ‘Golden Foot’ winners were: * Deb Hoffman who created the Bear Hunt during lockdown that entertained families across the country (Event) * Be Counted for the walker counter on Palmerston North’s He Ara Kotahi Bridge (Walking and Public transport initiative) * The Auckland Design Office that placed a boardwalk in car parks to make the footpath wider (Facilities or placemaking) * Brightwater School in Tasman for their main street redesign (School projects) * Chris Teo-Sherrell (Walking Champion) * Roger Boulter Book: Planning for Walking and Cycling in New Zealand (Research) Held every two years, the awards are open to private companies and public organisations, notfor-profit groups, and community organisations or individuals.

More wilderness ... less people BOOK NOW: Packages from Basic Tramping at $175 to Guided Walking at $1595 p 03 226 6739 or 0800 HUMP RIDGE (486774) w www.humpridgetrack.co.nz e walk@humpridgetrack.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Mt Favourite Walk

Ballroom Overhang Track Fox River West Coast

Above: Entering a shaded part of the walk. Below left: On the Inland Park Track. Below right: A spot to sit down for lunch.

34 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

By Yvonne van Eerden small group of the T o we r T r a m p e r s were in Westport for a week. We headed to the Fox River to walk the Ballroom Overhang Track which is 12 km return approximately four hours. We had tried to do this walk last year but the river was too high. It was a good day, a little overcast but we grabbed the opportunity to check out the walk. Once at the carpark we put on our boots and knew we would walk in wet boots once we started the river crossings but that was OK it would be a great experience to do something different. As we approached the first river crossing we checked it out and everything looked good. I stayed back a little taking some pictures, some other walkers came along but as soon as they saw the river they retreated back to where they had come from.

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Mt Favourite Walk

The water was OK and we checked where we had to go across to the other side and were rather pleased at how we crossed, the first time we crossed the river was reasonably shallow but a very wide stretch of the river to cross. This was good for us that we crossed with ease as if it had been difficult Jane and myself would have headed back and left the boys to it! The gorge had very high limestone cliffs. We were in a world of our own. Beautiful bush and in some places rather dry. The rata trees stood out in the bush, they were spectacular in full red bloom. We crossed the river many times and knew that we would have to cross again on the way back. I say we crossed 16 times there and back (could have been more). The river was a different depth each time and some crossings a little swifter but we were still OK to cross. We came across a tramper

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who had come a long way from Punakaiki on the Inland Pack Track and we asked her why her boots were not wet. She took them off with every river crossing. She did not want wet socks, good for her what ever works for the best. We looked out for the markers and in some places there were no markers but there were a couple of cairns and stones marking a path to the Ballroom. Of course walking along

the river were white boulders so you had to watch your feet constantly. We had lunch at the Ballroom Overhang which is a huge limestone overhang and we had a good look around. After lunch we headed back and met quite a few small groups who were also doing the tramp. What a fantastic day we had. Something entirely different for us. Above right: A happy bunch. Below right: Deciding the next step.

Fact file

Some of the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest limestone features are in this area. The Ballroom Overhang, about 500 m upstream from the Fox River/ Dilemma Creek confluence, is a large limestone outcrop providing a safe place to shelter or camp overnight. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a good option to visit as a half-day hike. Length 12km, four hour return trip The Ballroom is reached via the Inland Pack Track, starting from the car park at the mouth of the Fox River. The first part of the track follows along the true right of the river through bush and over braided riverbed sections. After about 30 minutes a river crossing is required to re-join the track on the true left of the river, where it continues for 2 km through the gorge, frequently climbing and dropping to negotiate bluffs. Getting there: The Ballroom Overhang is reached via the Inland Pack Track, signposted by the main road bridge at Fox River, 12 km north of Punakaiki. Know before you go: There are several river crossings that rise rapidly and become impassable during heavy rain. Check the Paparoa National Park (external site) forecast before you go. The formed section of track ends at the confluence of Fox River and Dilemma Creek, where the track becomes a route. From here, there is a further 500 m of river-bed travel and river crossings to reach the Ballroom, located on the true left of the Fox River. Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Need 2 Know

Baldwin Street steepest street again

aldwin Street is once again reinstated by the Guinness Book of Records as the steepest street in the world. The street runs up the northern side of Signal Hill, a prominent hill overlooking Otago Harbour, at slopes of up to 1:2.86 (for 2.86m horizontal distance, a rise of 1m). The steepness was unintentional; grids were laid out by surveyor Charles Kettle without proper regard for the terrain. Indeed some of the streets he intended were unable to be laid. Unlike most New Zealand streets, the street is surfaced in concrete not asphalt, as the tar would flow down the slope on a warm day as well as to provide a better grip in Dunedin’s frosty winters. Stairs lead up the curb-side instead of a

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. footpath. There are a couple of annual events held at Baldwin Street, one being the Jaffa Race at the annual Cadbury Chocolate Carnival, where 30,000 Giant Jaffas, hard orange candies with a chocolate centre, are rolled down the street. Each Jaffa is numbered, and sponsorship is sold by various local and nationwide beneficiaries who get to keep the money raised. At the bottom of Baldwin Street the Jaffas are funnelled into the finishing chute to decide the winners.

Above: Baldwin Street reinstated as the world’s steepest street.

Another major event is the Baldwin Street Gutbuster, a race to the top and back down again. Around 1000 people compete in different categories, but the record hasn’t been beaten in over a decade. Both locals and people from all over the world come to compete. If that sounds too much, walk up in your own time. It takes about ten minutes, just to walk about 350 metres! But don’t worry, there’s a drinking fountain at the top.

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Trust saves public access to beach

eoff Ricketts set up and now chairs the Ipipiri Nature Conservancy Trust, which recently bought Elliot Bay Farm in the Bay of Islands. The trust is going to preserve public access to the beach and hopes to build a Great Walk standard multi-day walk on the bush-covered land. The property is 700 hectares of which 200 hectares is farmland and rest is bush. It sits between the Whangamumu Harbour south of the Cape Brett Peninsula, and the Russell State Forest. Elliot Bay itself is also a wonderful surf beach. “If you don’t have Elliot Bay you can’t create a continuous similar to the great walks of the South Island from out to Cape Brett and then to Whan- from the Next Foundation, which was looking to gamumu and to Pahi Bay and Elliot Bay and up support programmes of regional significance. The Walking Access Commission’s to join the Russell Forest. You have the Northland regional field advisor John Garpotential to make a good 3-night 4-day diner had previously tried to secure public walk,” says Geoff. access to the beach. He was a keen supThere is a campground at Elliot Bay porter of Ipipiri Trust’s fundraising work. that has been there for decades. The Elliot “Linking this property with the track family have run it over the summers. It is network administered by the Department popular, and many families have camped of Conservation, including Te Araroa Trail, there for three generations. one end of opens up enormous recreational and tourthe beach is also home to fledgling NZ ism potential. It will also provide for excitdotterels. By Stephen Day ing employment opportunities for local The Elliot family rules of access to the hapū within the recreational and tourism beach are simple, says Ricketts, and they should stay - no dogs, no alcohol and no vehicles. field,” says Gardiner. Gardiner is keen to support the trust to turn the Four years ago, the Elliot family, which had owned the farm and allowed public access for de- current informal public access across the land into cades decided to sell. Locals were concerned that it legal ongoing access. He knows the land well and could be split up and developed, and public access ready to support the trust’s plans for developing new walkways and tracks. could be lost. The trust has raised $6 million of the $8 million At the time real estate agent John Greenwood, in it needed for the purchase. All the money has come charge of selling the property, told Stuff the land from locals rather than the government. would be tricky to sell. The Ipipiri Nature Conservancy Trust now has “Whoever buys the farm - whatever they do with until 2023 to raise the last $2 million of Elliot Farm’s it - will stir up huge scrutiny because there’d be an outright furore if public access was blocked,” $8 million price tag. Ricketts is working with local iwi and other Bay he said. Ricketts kept an eye on the tender process. When of Islands residents to secure the last of the money the tender closed in 2018 he contacted the land and to plan how best to use the land in the public agent who said it was likely to be broken up into interest. “If we can get a world-class track of great walk four blocks. standard it will create employment and opportuniHe thought that would be a tragedy because the ties for local people,” he says. opportunity to create a great walk would be lost. This will require some upgrading of the track. He went to see John Elliot and asked what legacy There are no formal walks from Whangamumu to he wanted for his land. Elliot liked the idea of what Russell Forest yet. But there are informal walks. Ricketts and the local people in the region were “It’s a great 4-day walk. I’ve done all those walks trying to do. in bits and pieces over the years. It’s also rich in Ricketts set up the Ipipiri Nature Conservancy Trust to buy the property and protect it in per- early Māori migration history. And then Cook petuity. Last month the trust was able to buy the and du Fresne came there as well.” property. It received significant financial support Above photo: Elliot Bay. Photo by Alex Schwab. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Northland Experience

. Monica cycles the Cook to Kupe Tour for a real Northland Experience

y best friend booked the Northland Experiences Cook to Kupe Tour in June 2020, finally freed from lockdown, we were keen to meet up. We loved the idea of riding the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle trail, but wanted to enjoy more of what a true Northland adventure might offer without having to be hassled with finding and booking accommodation ourselves, organising a bike, shuttling our bags between destinations, and getting back to our vehicle again. So in one phone call we booked an all-inclusive fully supported e-bike tour. From the moment we met our tour leader Ropata, we knew we had done the right thing. We felt welcomed by him and at absolute ease with this group of intrepid cyclists ranging from age 48 to 75. The first day was spent getting to grips with the e-bikes and learning some new New Zealand history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. That was refreshing. Cook and Kupe both journeyed through the land we were about to set off into - so exciting! Our first night was spent in Horeke at the eastern end of the Hokianga Harbour in ‘the House over

38 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

the water’. The hot spa was deliciously welcome after our stunning ride down through the Utakura Valley section of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. Over the evening, as we ate freshly caught snapper for dinner, we were regaled with stories and legends. The next day dawned bright. It appears there are most definitely four seasons in one day in Northland. A visit to the fascinating unique geological phenomenon that is Wairere Boulders was followed by a quaint, fun and informative ferry sailing to Kohukohu on the beautiful Ranui. We loved the fabulous ride up the hill and the loop back down to the car ferry to Rawene. The views were wow, I’m quite certain we wouldn’t have done this ride if we hadn’t been on this tour, especially without e-bikes. The Hokianga waterfront accommodation in Omapere for the next two nights was something we looked forward to. It included a fabulous visit to South Head. We heard such heartfelt and meaningful waiata and karakia from Ropata that I felt real understanding of the magnitude of the

Above: On the Twin Coast Cycle Trail.

Photo by Ruth Lawton.

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Northland Experience

location; we both had a little tear in our eyes looking out over the harbour mouth and the majestic North Hokianga sand dunes. The next day was a free day on the tour and we decided to go wild and book ourselves on a kaimoana gathering jetski ride. The wind in our hair and the salt spray on our faces gave us the ultimate feeling of freedom, and wow, did we have FUN. Lenny our guide from Awesome Adventures Hokianga was amazing – his knowledge, humour and the interesting stories he told of his ancestors and others, were quite literally, awesome! We loved knowing we were retracing the steps of great travellers before us. Lenny cooked up the kaimoana, mussels, on a makeshift BBQ on the beach and they were the tastiest I have ever tried – so fresh and flavoursome – or perhaps the act of harvesting them exaggerated our taste experience. If you are less brave Lenny will harvest for you, and I’m sure they’ll taste just as good. That night the twilight Footprints Waipoua tour was breath-taking, and after a busy day the quick fireside drink was just the ticket before bed. Leaving the Tasman Sea in our wake, the tour returned to the Pacific Ocean, and this second half of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Kaikohe to Opua section of the trail, was spectacular. I just had not imagined the scenery, rural vistas, mangroves, rail tunnels and bridges, or the historic rural Northland towns we rode through. That night we finished in Russell at the iconic Duke of Marlborough Hotel in luxury, quality, and comfort. Our last day presented choices. We decided to explore Russell on foot, Pompallier House, and take a short hike to Long Beach and Tapeka. Each step of the day was smooth fun, thanks to our tour leader. The final night in Kerikeri culminated in our last meal together at Ake Ake Restaurant, an award winning vineyard – mouth-watering and

spectacular. On the Saturday morning we popped into the recommended Packhouse Market in Kerikeri, just a short walk from our accommodation. The bakery is outstanding and I highly recommend the melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness of their almond croissants. Local crafts and retro clothing upstairs are not to be missed either. The Cook to Kupe Tour took us to places we hadn’t thought of, or even knew about, and it opened our eyes to amazing Northland. We met some salt-of-the-earth characters and will never forget this experience. Thank you, Northland Experiences and Tour leader Ropata, and Lenny from Awesome Adventures Hokianga. Our paths will cross again I am quite sure. After such an unsettled time with lockdown we couldn’t have asked for more… it was amazing! The tours start in the Bay of Islands which is only a three hour drive or 45 minute flight from Auckland. Northland Experiences have regular trips running throughout the year leaving on Mondays with the last night on a Friday. www.northlandexperiences.co.nz to book for the Cook to Kupe tour. You won’t be disappointed! S MAL L TO U R G RO U P S . G RO U P D IS CO U N TS

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

NEWS

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eclan Weir ate quick change. says tactical But there is a solution. urbanism Both overseas and in Auckcould make land quick, cheap and light it easier for people to ideas for creating ‘peoplewalk and cycle around centric’ streets are growing Auckland. in popularity. These ideas Weir has just comare known as ‘tactical urpleted his dissertation; By Stephen Day banism’ interventions. ‘unlocking the potenTactical urbanism is lowtial of tactical urbanism for active cost, temporary changes to cities transport promotion in Auck- that change the way people move land’. around and engage with public Active transport is physical ac- space. People can implement tivity as a way of getting around, them quickly using low cost maincluding by foot, bicycle and terials while councils plan bigger, other non-motorised vehicles. more complicated infrastructure. If we want more sustainable, They can overcome the intranhealthy, friendly and fair cities sigence of conventional planthen active transport ning - delivering immediate is crucial. But it only improvements to walking ■ and cycling networks. Some thrives in urban areas with planned streets examples include painted and infrastructure that crossings, street-surface art, make travel safe, comkerb extensions and planterfortable and pleasant box protected cycleways. for users. Weir’s research asks how In the past, Auckwe can support tactical urland’s transport planning has banism to improve walking and focused on car traffic flows over cycling in Auckland. He contrasts the needs of active transport. This the city with Burlington, Vermont means the city’s street network which has used tactical urbanism offers little safety, comfort or successfully. There, the council appeal for people who are not in found that people did not want to cars. And so, Auckland has low rates of walking and cycling. However, the city now has a strong mandate for change. The climate crisis is creating a strategic will to promote walking and cycling. But the conventional tools and approaches that Auckland uses to plan have failed to cre-

40 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

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NEWS

– quick, cheap solutions for cyclists walk or bike because of poor infrastructure and safety concerns. So, it created an action plan for quick-build improvements that used low-cost materials. These action plans let people experience lowcost improvements before committing to long-term capital upgrades. Within 18 months Burlington finished five quick-build street projects that made it easier to bike and walk. Using cheap materials like pot plants and plastic bollards, it increased its total bike lane network by 23 per cent. Weir says that Auckland’s current framework presents significant barriers to people who want to use tactical urbanism to get similar results. Weir cites the busy BroadwayTeed St intersection in Auckland’s Newmarket as an example. An estimated thousands of pedestrians cross the road each day without a signalised crossing – a high-risk spot with large volumes

of often speeding traffic. A report to Auckland Transport (AT) recommended a cheap tactical urbanism intervention. It suggested extending the nostopping zone either side of the crossing by 5 metres on either side so walkers could better see oncoming traffic. And the pedestrian crossing zone would be painted with red polka dots to create the visual impression of the need to slow down. Similar polka dots had slowed most traffic in other areas of Auckland by 5.4 per cent. Unfortunately, AT dismissed the tactical crossing from its workstream in August 2019. Instead, it proposes to build a permanent, signalised crossing which will take at least a year to construct and will cost $200,000 - eight times the cost of the proposed tactical intervention. We i r s a y s there were several reasons for AT abandoning the tactical crossing. The

biggest factor was the NZTA’s onerous requirements for trialling and approving the new ideas. This would have extended the project timeline from three months to at least two years. He says international case studies show you can streamline the process for city planners and citizens who want quick, cheap changes. This could unlock Auckland for pedestrians and cyclists and move the city towards a more sustainable, healthy and friendly transport network. You can read Declan Weir’s research, which the Walking Access Commission provided scholarship assistance for on the Commission website at: https:// www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/ assets/Publication/Files/DWeirWAC-Dissertation.pdf Below right: Temporary Shortland Street zebra was installed one night and proved popular the next morning. Even in quiet traffic, most people appeared to be choosing to use the crossing rather than follow their natural desire line. Photo Auckland Council

Below left and right: Samples of Tachical Urbanism in Central Auckland. Photos Auckland Council.

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

CONTENTS for previous 15 issues MAY-JULY 268 2020

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Queen Charlotte Track - Here we come! 10 New Zealand Walk: Walking the Track 11 New Zealand Walk: The Queen Charlotte Track - why walk it when you can ride? 13 Lockdown Activities: Walking and biking around Papamoa - Training up Mt Wash-ington. 14 Northland Experiences: The Old Chooks Tour of Northland 17 News: A billion-dollar opportunity for walkers 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walks: Bookable huts - a Summer success 23 Need2Know: Walking on private land 24 Auckland Walk: Mt Hobson Walk for panoramic city views 27 Covid-129: Travel faces a reinvention 28 New Zealand Walk: Lindsay Scenic Reserve Walk 30 My Favoutite Walk: Cardiff Centennial Walk through natural bush and farmland 34 New Zealand Walk: Beat the heat - do the Donald Drift 37 Australian Walk: Burleigh Heads National Park walks 40 Auckland Walk: A ramble on Anzac Day - Point England Walkway 44 Books: God’s Cocaine - the addiction of the Camino 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 52 Northland Experiences

APRIL 267 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 Great Walks: The Back Story of “The Routeburn Saga” 9 Great Walks: “The Routeburn Saga” 11 New Zealand Walk : Track a memorial to Truby King 12 New Zealand Walks: Paritutu Rock a challenge in New Plymouth 15 Book: Relentless - how a mother and daughter defired the odds 16 New Zealand Walk: Always different - The Art Deco Walk 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walk: Waiheke Island revisited - Retracing past footsteps 26 New Zealand Walk: Te Pare Reserve rich in history 30 New Zealand Walk: Tongariro Alpine Crossing one of the best one day walks in the world 36 New Zealand Walk: Wide country views from Mt William Walk 39 New Zealand Walk: Haast Pass/ Tioripatea Highway short walks 40 Australian Walk: Unique track is popular tourist attraction 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Great Forest Events

MARCH 266 2020

4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walks: Cable Bay’s family farmland walk 8 New Zealand Walk: Eastwoodhill - the national arboretum of New Zealand 12 New Zealand Walk: Eastwoodhill offers six walks to suit all levels and abilities 14 New Zealand Walks: Four walks at Hanmer Springs in one week 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Overseas Walks: Norfolk Island - a magical slice of paradise 23 New Zealand Walk: Milford to Takapuna Walk 26 New Zealand Walk: Herekawa Stream and Clifftop Walk 30 Overseas Walks: Experience Australia’s newest walking chal-

lenge - Ranges to River 34 New Zealand Walk: Carter Scenic Reserve walk 36 New Zealand Walk: Walk to the stars near Napier 38 New Zealand Walk: Otari - Wilton’s Bush - with 14kms of walking tracks 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Manawatu Walking Festival

FEBRUARY 265 2020

4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walks: Top picks to explore this summer 9 Auckland Short Walk: St Johns Bush Walk a short nature walk 10 New Zealand Walk: Waikato River Walking Track 12 New Zealand Walk: Te Koutu Park - a delightful walk 14 New Zealand Walk: A taste of the Old Coach Road 16 New Zealand Walk: Pakihi Track reopened for the summer season 17 New Zealand Walk: Motukiore Island Walk for great views 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walk: Beach walk Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton 22 Need2Know: New digital maps help people explore outdoors 23 Overseas Walk: Feet dangling over the Lysefjord 28 New Zealand Walk: Ongaonga - a village steeped in history 30 New Zealand Walk: Banks Track - New Zealand’s first private walking track 37 New Zealand Walk: Lake Panorama, Henderson and Kiwi Esplanade Walkway 38 Need2Know: International Marching League encourages may walking bring us together 39 Event: Manawatu Walking Festival now in sixth year 41 Training: Exercise programme tips 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Manawatu Walking Festival

JANUARY 264 2020

now in planning stage 10 Overseas Walks: How to spend 48 hours in the Gold Coast hinterland 12 New Zealand Walk; A day taking two walks in the Totara Reserve 14 New Zealand Walks: Five Kerikeri waterfall walks 16 NZ Shared Pathway: Another link opens in city’s coastal path 17 Book: New Zealand’s Native Trees 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Club to celebrate birthday by gifting track to Pukekohe 22 Overseas Walks: Carnavon National Park walks were magical 29 NZ Shared Pathway: Cambridge to Hamilton pathway construction begins 30 Overseas Walks: Rhodo heaven in Annapurna 36 NZ Adventure: Retirees go for their final tree-top adventure 39 New Zealand Walk: Oakura Seaside Beach Walk 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Manawatu Walking Festival

NOVEMBER 262 2019

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 My Favourite walk: East, West home’s best 8 Books: Day walks in New Zealand, The 50 Best Bird Watching sites 8 Readers View: What is in a name? 10 New Zealand Walk: Walking Stars in Wellington 11 Need to Know: New Zealand postage stamps celebrate Te Araroa Trail 12 Event: Tenth year for popular walking festival 14 Event: Great Forest events going strong 24 years on next year 15 My Favourite Walk: 35 years from 3 day tramps to 3 day walks 16 Great Forest events 17 Poem: The saga of Milford Track 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Australian Walks: Walking at Uluru a land rich in indigenous culture 22 New Zealand Walk: Rata Street Loop Track 23 Need2Know: What have you got planned for Get Outdoors Week? 29 New Zealand Walks: Mahu Whenua Trail network delights tourists and locals 30 New Zealand Walk: Te Aro Piko a meandering path 32 New Zealand Walk: Maude Track leads to Mangakotukutuku waterfall 34 Overseas Walks: Walk castle to castle on Czech’s Greenways Trail 41 Overseas Walk: 10 reasons to hike in Austria 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Walking New Zealand Shop

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 Te AraroaTrail: Family of seven takes on 3,000km trail 8 My Favourite Walk: Spoilt for choice in Wellington 12 New Zealand Walk: Tarawera - a legacy to up hold 16 Australian Walks: Five Hinterland hikes to take your breath away 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walks: Two clubs and two tracks 22 Overseas Walks: Walking with Fat Betty on the Coast to Coast 27 Overseas Walks: Dolomites - King of the alps 28 Overseas Walks: Walking paths on Niue Island 35 New Zealand Walk: Shine Falls Hawkes Bay’s highest waterfall 35 New Zealand Walk: Kamahi Loop Track to Falls and Heays Access Road 36 Overseas Walks: Walking through the Deserts and Canyonlands of the USA 39 New Zealand Walk: Te Henui extension a rustic and interesting stroll OCTOBER 261 2019 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 3 Contents 44 Index of previous 14 issues 4 Walk Talk 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 6 My Favourite walk: Nugget Point 48 Coming Events: Overseas short walk is a classic 50 Te Araroa walkers urged to take The 9 Subscription page Trail Pledge 10 New Zealand Walks: Five great day 52 Directory of Walking Groups walks from Christchurch 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 12 My FavouriteWalk: Emily’s visit to 59 Green Prescription Emily Falls 60 Manawatu Walking Festival 12 New Zealand Walks Two walks in Peel Forest DECEMBER 263 2019 14 Overseas Walk: Walk Ireland’s 3 Contents poignant National Famine Way 4 Walk Talk 6 Te AraroaTrail: New walking season 16 New Zealand Walk: Mt Cargill for magnificent views of Dunedin marks start of Te Araroa odyssey 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly for many folk Photo Contest 7 Te AraroaTrail: Walkers take to the 20 New Zealand Walks: One Tree Hill a Te Araroa Trail for many reasons jewel in Auckland’s Cornwall Park 8 NZ Shared Pathway: Pathway between Petone and Wellington 26 New Zealand Walks: Walking to the

42 Walking New Zealand, issue noissue 269 - no 2020 42 Walking New Zealand, 269 - 2020

‘Centre of New Zealand’ 29 Need2Know: Take me to the river 30 Overseas Walks: South Africa’s Bushmen, Bergs, Battlefields and Big Five 36 Event: Toi’s Challenge is a lovely hard run or walk 38 New Zealand Walks: On the trails in the Bay of Islands 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Walking New Zealand Shop

SEPTEMBER 260 2019

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 My Favourite walk: Lush native forest and stunning views a feature of North Egmont walks 12 New Zealand Walk: Tunnel Beach’s sculptured coastline 15 Te Araroa Trail: Numbers walking on trail increasing 16 New Zealand Walk: Atiwhatu Hut walk popular in Tararuas 16 Mt Favourite Walk: Atiwhakatu Hut Walk attracts many types of walkers 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walks: Legs eleven with Warkworth Walks 2019l 22 New Zealand Walk: Bay of Islands best kept secret 26 New Zealand Great Walk: Humpridge Track to be a NZ Great Walk 28 Need2Know: New track database has over 300 walking trails 28 Overseas Walk: Caloundra Coastal Walk a leisurely scenic walk 31 Overseas Walk: Eight days to Everest Base Camp 39 Quick facts on Trekking Everest Base Camp 40 Need2Know: Consider these 5 things before tackling a winter tramp 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Taupo Marathon events

AUGUST 259 2019

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 My Favourite walk: Kaimai Ranges offer many walking attractions in a diverse forest of caves and birdlife 12 New Zealand Walk: Stewart Island with the lovliest public road in the country 14 Shared Pathway: New bridge links city to Massey and Linton 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Shared Parthway: Cycling the Karangahake Gorge section of the Hauraki Rail Trail 24 My Favourite Walk: Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve - a sub tropicial rail forest 28 New Zealand Walk : Belmont magazine walk with relics of World War 11 30 New Zealand Walk : Belmont Regional Park a walkers paradise 33 New Zealand Walk: Kapiti Island 34 High Achiever: Perth to Melbourne in 80 days 36 New Zealand Walk: Three generations in Waiohine Gorge tramp 38 New Zealand Walks: Vineyard walks a feature of Bay of Island Walking Weekend 39 New Zealand Walks Two walks in Peel Forest 40 Need2Know: Top 10 things to pack for a day walk or hike 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Taupo Marathon events

JULY 258 2019 3 Contents

4 Walk Talk 6 My Favourite walk: An estuary walk in our Deep South 8 New Zealand Walk: Beveridge to Arataki Path 10 Great New Zealand Trek: Great NZ Trek ends at Bluff after 14 years 12 High Achiever: Four day trek ends with a Duke o f Edinburgh Gold Award 16 Overseas Walk: Machu Picchu - a treasure to cherish 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 My Favourite Walk: Waitahinga Dam trails revisted 22 My Favourite Walk: Walking the Crossey-Massey Loop, Hunau Regional Park 26 Event: The Bay of Islands Walking Weekend where the walking is wonderful and the welcome is warm! 28 Te Araroa Trail: Over 1000 walkers this season completed the trail 29 Event: Striders events 30 Overseas Walk: Table Mountain - one of the ten wonders of the world 34 Overseas adventure: Rail trails cycling in the Clare Valley 39 my Favourite Walk: Coastal views highlight of new cleared trail 40 My Favourite Walk : Tawatawa Reserve walking tracks 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Taupo Marathon events

JUNE 257 2019

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 Te Araroa Trail: Lessons from walking the Te Araroa Trail 12 Need2know: DOC’s top five wildlife photography tips 14 New Zealand Walk: Wellington City to Sea Walkway 16 Need 2 know: Great Harbour Way to be funded 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 My Favourite Walk: Barrett Domain walkls have bush, wetlands with a rural outlook 24 Northland Experience: Hiking Cape to Cove: Cape Brett to Whangaroa Harbour to mag-nificent kauri 30 Overseas Walk: Walking Cornwall’s South West Coast Path 35 Need2know: Shared path planned across Tararua Ranges 35 Need2know: Funding boost for Hawkes Bay trails 36 Overseas Adventure: Vietnam - for adventure, history and culture 40 Overseas Walks: Ten top spring gardens to visit in Cornwall 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Pak-A-Roo Jackets

MAY 256 2019

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 My Favourite Walk: Lake Rotomanu Walkway 10 New Zealand Walks: Many tracks lead up Mount Parihaka, Whangarei 14 New Zealand Walk: Bush Chapel Walk 15 Need 2 know: Mokihinui River catchment land to be added to Kahurangi National Park 16 NZ Shared Pathway: Waiuku Trail milestone reached with first sodturning event 17 NZ Shared Pathway: Waiuku advocate wins outdoor access champion award 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Overseas Walks: A glimpse of Patagonia 24 Northland Experience: Magical experiences on the Cook to Kupe tour 31 Australian Walks: Decidedly deciduous: Colourful bush walks

in Victoria 32 Event: Festival’s interesting walks attracted many 34 New Zealand Walk: Cape Kidnappers Track 39 New Zealand Walk:Matiatia to Owhanake Bay walk 40 Event: Back to the future at Christchurch’s Marathon 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 59 Green Prescription 60 Pak-A-Roo Jackets

APRIL 255 2019

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walks: Catchpool Valley has walks for all types of fitness 6 New Zealand Walks: Catchpool Valley walking, tramping and cycling 10 New Zealand Walks: ECHO Walking Festival 12 New Zealand Walk: Kaurilands Domain, Titirangi 14 My Favourite Walk: Sand, sand and more sand 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 My Favourite Walk: Two ways to hike to Herepai Hut 21 New Zealand Walk: Mt Herepai Hut climb has a mixed track 22 My Favourite Walk: One path to rule them all on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing 28 Overseas Walk: Walk in Singapore, a city in a garden 30 New Zealand Walk: Popular Waiheke Island walk start from wharf 32 New Zealand Walk: Kahikatea Walk - a nature walk 34 Overseas Walk: Soaking up the views in WA - Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Yallingup 37 New Zealand Walk: Sculpture Walk in Botanic Gardens 40 Overseas Walk: China - a land of long history, ancient cultures and diverse landscapes 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Pak-A-Roo Jackets

MARCH 254 2019

3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 Te Araroa Trail: Te Araroa Trail: NZ’S own pilgrimage trail 8 New Zealand Walk: Lake Rototoa a jewel in Hamilton city 12 Auckland Walks: Walks for every Auckland landscape 14 My Favourite Walk: Climbing Otanewainuku - the first walk of the year 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 NewZealand Walk: A wildlife walk around Kaikoura Peninsula 23 News: Wainuiomata shared pathway a mile-stone 24 New Zealand Walks: Beautiful countryside and views on Walkworth walks 29 Event: New walks in 5th Manawatu Festival 30 Overseas Walk: Mrs Tiggy Winkle Walk 35 New Zealand Walks: Escape! Revive! and Reconnect! on the Abel Tasman walks 40 New Zealand Walk: A winter tramp up to Pinnacle Ridge 42 Auckland Short Walks: New future for Short Walks in Auckland 44 Overseas Walks and Tours 45 Index of previous 14 issues 46 Coming Events: New Zealand 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Manawatu Walking Festival 50 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Manawatu Walking Festival

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

High Achiever

Pre-schooler’s delight at competition win

hen 4-year-old Mia Edmonds gets to see her friends again, she’ll have some big news to share. Mia has been named the winner of the Pukeiti Passport Challenge. Running over the summer, entrants had to complete a special mission to get their “passport” stamped at Taranaki’s regional gardens Pukeiti, Tūpare and Hollard Gardens, as well as Puke Ariki. Her prize is an overnight stay at the soon-to-be completed Pukeiti Family Hut and the honour of naming a new vireya Rhododendron, which was bred by Keith Adams in New Plymouth and raised at Pukeiti. Mia’s suggestion was ‘Rosy Comet’, with registration of the name now under way. Mum Jen admits she has no idea how or why Mia came up with the name. “She didn’t even know what a comet is! “I didn’t help her at all with the name – she’s got a good imagination.” Mia was “so excited” when Jen got the call to say she was the winner. “Her mouth just dropped. She didn’t know what she’d won but she was so excited, it was really cute.” Jen, husband Kerry, Mia and Taylor, 5, live in www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Plymouth and are regular visitors to Pukeiti. The girls love bush walks, running around in the wide open spaces and the outdoor activities. On their last visit they also “absolutely loved” completing the Treehouse Trail scavenger hunt, Jen says. During the Passport Challenge there was a minor mishap at Tūpare when they realised they had forgotten the passports – so had to return for another visit. They stamped their passports at the “beautiful” Hollard Gardens when they used it as the backdrop for a unicorn-themed photo shoot of the girls. Like many other Kiwis, the Edmonds family are trying to make the best of the lockdown, including spending time in their own garden. They have recently planted a new vegetable garden and replanted grass, which the girls helped out with by stomping on. Taranaki Regional Council Regional Gardens Manager Greg Rine says Rosy Comet is a fantastic name for the new vireya, which has lovely, scented pink flowers. Vireyas are a group of tropical Rhododendron species that grow naturally in south-eastern Asia. The new variety is a hybrid of two species - Rhododendron tuba and Rhododendron praetervisum. “Vireya are tender, beautiful plants that need special care and Pukeiti grows one of the best collections in the world,” Greg says. Construction of the 12-bed Family Hut has been delayed due to Covid-19, but Greg says it is close to completion and he expects it to be popular with families looking for an adventure in the rainforest. “We’re excited about sharing the finished product with our community and we know Mia and her family will have an incredible time when they are able to visit. Meanwhile, although the regional gardens are currently closed due to the Covid-19 lockdown, their talented gardeners have been busy making videos on everything from starting a vegetable garden to feijoas, potting and composting. Follow Tūpare, Pukeiti or Hollard Gardens on Facebook for your garden fix. Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

NZ Shared Pathway

Big plans for walking and cycle paths along Avon River Corridor

evelopment activity in Christchurch’s Avon River Corridor regeneration area will ramp up over the next year as work begins to realise the long-term vision for the area. With ownership of the 11kmlong former residential red zone to transfer from the Crown to Christchurch City Council in tranches from 1 July 2020, the Council is considering how to manage the land and bring to life the vision and objectives set out in the Avon River Corridor Regeneration Plan. “We are determined to get moving on the Plan, as demonstrating our commitment to making it a reality will encourage other investors and interest groups to jump on board,’’ says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel. “The full development of this 602-hectare area, which stretches

from the city to the sea, will take a long time. However, we owe it to our communities to do all we can to get the initial stages under way as soon as possible. “One of our first priorities is starting the development of the Green Spine, which will follow the river from Barbadoes Street to Bexley. The Green Spine will include large areas of ecological restoration and wetlands, walking paths, nature trails, cycleways, riverside landings and community spaces such as picnic spots and barbecue areas. “The Government has accepted our Investment Case for $40 million from the Christchurch Regeneration Acceleration Facility, which means that we can now start restoring some key ecological areas and begin developing a network of pathways and public

44 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

landing sites along the river. “We have also secured $13.7 million from the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal Trust for a riverside landing and three pedestrian and cycle bridges within the Green Spine. “The aim is to get construction on these projects under way as soon as possible,’’ Mayor Dalziel says. In the meantime, many community and interest groups have been developing proposals for the Avon River Corridor and Council staff have committed to offer all the support and advice they can. “When it comes time to make decisions about specific, permanent land uses within the Avon River Corridor there will be extensive engagement with the community so that we get the best outcomes for the city,’’ Mayor Dalziel says. “This is an incredible asset for our city and a true legacy from our earthquake experience.’’ www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Coming Events

NEW ZEALAND

AUGUST 2020

1 Parkrun in New Zealand 1 We Run the Forest, ROTORUA. PAUSED 2 Run Auckland: Western Springs, Auckland 2 South Island Half Marathon, Ashburton 2 Summit Forests Kaitaia Run/Walk,

Please note that because of the Covid-19 lockdown some events advertised in New Zealand may be rescheduled, posponed or cancelled. Kaitaia 2 Taupō Marathon, Taupo 4 Lincoln Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Lincoln 4 Malvern Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Darfield 5 Ellesmere Road Runners Wednesday Night Run and Walk, Leeston

5 The Rat Race in Milford, Auckland 6 Rolleston Road Runners Thursday Night Run, Rolleston 8 Meridian Hydro Half Marathon, Te Anau 8 Parkrun in New Zealand 9 Gizzy Trail Run Series: The Pines Okitu, Gisborne 9 XTERRA Auckland: Waiuku Forest, Auckland 11 Lincoln Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Lincoln 11 Malvern Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Darfield 12 Ellesmere Road Runners Wednesday Night Run and Walk, Leeston 12 The Rat Race in Milford, Auckland 13 Rolleston Road Runners Thursday Night Run, Rolleston 15 Clyde to Alexandra Road Races, Clyde 15 Governors Bay to Lyttelton Scenic Road Race, Governors Bay, Canterbury 15 Parkrun in New Zealand 16 2 Hour Race Track Run, Hamoton Downs, Te Kawhata

16 Craters Trail Run, Taupo 16 Mukamuka Munter, Catchpool Visitor Centre, Rimutaka Forest Park, Wainuiomata 16 Woodbourne Half Marathon, Blenheim. CANCELLED 18 Lincoln Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Lincoln 18 Malvern Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Darfield 19 Ellesmere Road Runners Wednesday Night Run and Walk, Leeston 19 The Rat Race in Milford, Auckland 20 Rolleston Road Runners Thursday Night Run, Rolleston 22 Parkrun in New Zealand 22 U18 Cross Country Races, Christchurch 23 Gizzy Trail Run Series: Longbush Eco Sanctury, Gisborne 23 Run Auckland: Ambury Regional Park, Auckland 23 Seddon School Tussock Run,, Seddon. CANCELLED 25 Lincoln Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Lincoln 25 Malvern Road Runners Tuesday

Half Marathon, 10km, Kids’ Magic Mile 35th Anniversary

Every Finisher Wins A Medal

30th August www.wellingtonmarathon.kiwi www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Coming Events

Night Run and Walk, Darfield 26 Ellesmere Road Runners Wednesday Night Run and Walk, Leeston 26 The Rat Race in Milford, Auckland 27 Rolleston Road Runners Thursday Night Run, Rolleston 27-29 The Great Naseby Water Race Ultramarathon, Nasby, Otago 29 Forest Run Fest: Moonlight Marathon, Bottle Lake Forest, Christchurch 29 Fullers Greatsights Bay of Islands BEAST, Haruru, near Paihia 29 Mount Maunganui Half Marathon, Mt Maunganui 29 Parkrun in New Zealand 29 The Dun Run, Maitai Dam to OK Corral, Nelson 29 The North Range Trio, Ballance, Manawatu 30 Hawke’s Bay Trail Run Series: Riflemans Vineyard, Puketapu, Hawkes Bay 30 Heart and Sole Women’s Only Fun Run/Walk, Papamoa 30 XTERRA Auckland: Hunua, Auckland

Night Run and Walk, Lincolon 1 Malvern Road Runners Tuesday Night Run and Walk, Darfield 2 Ellesmere Road Runners Wednesday Night Run and Walk, Leeston 2 The Rat Race in Milford, Auckland 3 Rolleston Road Runners Thursday Night Run, Rolleston 5 Kaikōura Whale Run, Kaikoura 26 Rotorua Marathon, Rotorua

OCTOBER 2020

3 Aoraki Mt Cook Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, Mt Cool Village 3 Cole Murray Cape Kidnappers Trail Run, Clifton Beach Hawkes Bay 3 Great Barrier Island Wharf to Wharf,, Great Barrier Island 16-18 Bay of Islands Walking Weekend, Northland 17 Pink Star Walk: Christchurch, Christchurch 17 Rotorua Ekiden - Team Marathon Relay, Rotorua 17 Santoft Forest and Beach Half Marathon, Santoff Forrest near Bulls 18 Crater Rim Ultra, Christchurch. PAUSED SEPTEMBER 2020 18 Gizzy Trail Run Series: Eastwood 1 Lincoln Road Runners Tuesday

Hill Arboretum, Gisborne 18 Jennian Homes Bay of Islands Fun Run/Walk, Paihia 18 MTF Silverdale Get Moving Festival, Auckland 18 Omokoroa Coastal Challenge, Tauranga 18 Run Auckland: Millwater, Auckland 18 Wild Auckland: North East, Auckland 24 Kaikoura Mountains to the Sea, Kaikoura 24 Ross Goldtown Fun Run and Walk, Ross 24 Twizel Hard Labour Weekend, Ben Ohau Station, Twizel 25 Back Paddock Lake Off Road Challenge, Central Hawkes Bay 25 Cromwell Half Marathon, Cromwell. PAUSED 25 Huntly Half Marathon, Huntly 26 Rotorua Marathon, Rotorua 31 Devil’s Dash, Bottle Lake Forest Christchurch 31 Mission Mt Somers, Staveley, Canterbury 31 Pūtauaki Prince & Princess of the Mountain, Kawerau

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Coming Events

NOVEMBER 2020

1 Auckland Marathon, Auckland 1 City to Surf and Surf to Surf, Tauranga 1 In the Footsteps of the Marines, hareroa Farm, Near Paekakariki 1 The Nelson Half Festival of Running, Nelson 4 Corporate Challenge 5K: Christchurch 6-7 Taranaki Steelformers Around the Mountain, New Plymouth 7 Feilding Marathon and Roy Lamberton Memorial Half Marathon, Feilding 7 Lochmara Lodge Half Marathon, Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough 7 Pink Star Walk: Wellington 7 The Taniwha on the Waikato River Trails, Whakamaru Mi-Camp, Waikato 7 Woodbury Hill Country Challenge, Orari Gorge Station, Woodbury, South Canterbury 8 Boulder Bay Classic Trail Run, Taylors Mistake Beach, Canterbury 8 Coastal Classic MTB & Trail Run at Taieri Mouth, Otago 8 Sri Chinmoy Pegasus Bay Classic, Bottle Lake Forest, Christchurch 11 Corporate Challenge 5K: Wel-

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lington 13-15 Warkworth Walks. Walks worth doing, Warkworth 14 Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake Trail Run, Lake Rotoiti / St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes 14 Eukanuba Tails & Trails, Riverhead Forest, Auckland 14 Pink Star Walk: Auckland 14-22 Get Outdoors Week - throughout New Zealand 15 Round the Bridges, Hamilton 15 Wild Auckland: Tāpapakanga, Auckland 20 WAI2K, Tauherenikau Racecourse, Tauherenikau 21 New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon, Queenstown 21 Valley Ultra 57km, 24km &10km, Craigieburn, Southland 21 Northland Waste Kerikeri Half Marathon, Okaihau to Kerikeri 21 The Molesworth Run, Molesworth Cob Cottage, Molesworth 21 Valley Ultra, Castle Hill Village, Canterbury 21 XTERRA Trail Challenge Waihi, Dickey Flat Campsite, Karangahake Gorge 22 Greytown Rail Trail Wai Not? Tauherenikau Racecourse, Tauherenikau 22 Julians Berry Farm and Cafe Toi’s Challenge, Whakatane 22 Rotorua Running Festival, Rotorua 29 Heart and Sole Women’s Only Fun Run/Walk, Tauranga 29 The Moa Experience, Summerhill Farm, Papamoa

DECEMBER 2020

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50 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 -no 2020 50 Walking New Zealand, issue 269 - 2020

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British adventurer Ben Fogle revisits some of his most epic and remote journeys, starting in NZ!

Sunday 7:30pm Freeview channel 12 | SKY channel 24 www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020

Central Hawkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay in Autumn

Walking on the Tuki Tuki Trail beside the Tuki Tuki River between Waipukurau and Waipawa in Central Hawkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay.

52 Walking New Zealand, issue no 269 - 2020