The new VeryFitPro ID205L Intelligent Activity Tracker

The new VeryFitPro ID205L is an intelligent smart looking Sports Watch and activity tracker that ticks all the boxes.

* Strong and durable 3cm clear glass touch screen display

* Skin friendly soft and comfortable wristband strap

* Nine exercise modes walking, running, hiking, cycling, treadmill, fitness, mountain climbing, exercise cycle and yoga

Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Get on your bike and rediscover the joy of riding this February with the Aotearoa Bike Challenge. Returning for its seventh year, the month-long challenge encourages New Zealanders to make everyday trips with a bike. It’s a great time to give cycling a go. Cycling has never been more accessible with the increase in cycleways around the country. Register your workplace or join as an individual for the chance to win great prizes and feel fitter and healthier.

Correction

There was an error in the headings of the article about a long walk around Waiheke Island. The correct spelling of the headings should have been Te Aka Hura.

* Many functions: step monitoring function, heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, calorie monitoring, call reminder, message reminder, sedentary reminder, alarm reminder, stopwatch, timer, music control, breathing training, time and date display, multi-sport mode (step, calories, speed, distance, active time), daily goal

* Raise your hand and the screen will light up.

* Customize the face of your Smart Watch to fit your needs.

* IP68 Deep Waterproof

* Magnetic charging with USB charging cable takes about 2.5 hours for around 10 days usage.

* Uses VeryFitPro app Compatible with smart phones that use IOS 8.0/ Android OS 4.4 or later, and Bluetooth 4.0 or later

* Colors available: Black and Dark Green

Only $99 plus $7.50 P&P

Available now from:

Walking New Zealand Shop

P O Box 1922, Palmerston North - Phone 0800-925-546 Fax 06-358-6864 or email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Rangitoto Island walks on Auckland’s youngest volcano

Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve is the youngest volcano in the Auckland volcanic field. It is home to our largest Pohutukawa forest, and some unique plantlife.

Rangitoto Island longer walks

Lighthouse walk to McKenzie Bay

Time: Two hours 30 minutes one way from Rangitoto Wharf; three hours 45 minutes one way to summit.

This walk winds along the coast to McKenzie Bay, one of the two natural sand beaches on Rangitoto, and a good picnic and swimming spot. The road continues on to the summit for those who want a longer walk.

Rangitoto Wharf to summit to Islington Bay

Time: Two hours 30 minutes one way Take the Summit Track from Rangitoto Wharf and at the summit follow Summit Road down to Islington Bay.

Below left: A group on their way to the summit on a smooth section of the track.

Below right: A boardwalk follows the coastline to the section of holiday baches.

This is a good walk if you can arrange a ferry pick up at Islington Bay - make sure you check the ferry timetable first, as Islington Bay stops are seasonal.

Coastal Track from Rangitoto Wharf to Islington Bay Wharf

Time: Two hours 30 minutes one way. This coastal walk passes many remnants of human activityboatsheds and baches near Rangitoto Wharf, old quarry sites, ruins of war time storage bases for mines, and Yankee Wharf built during World War II. Islington Bay is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking and as a yacht anchorage.

Note: Sections of this track are over broken lava fields and the footing is rough and uneven. Good footwear is essential.

Inland route from Rangitoto Wharf to Islington Bay Wharf

Time: One hour 30 minutes one way. This alternative route to Islington

Bay passes along a road built by prisoners. The road continued over the causeway to Motutapu Island.

Islington Bay Wharf to Home Bay (Motutapu Island)

Time: One hour 45 minutes one way From Islington Bay, cross the causeway to Motutapu Island. A walk over farmland and cliff tops leads to Home Bay, where there is a DOC campground.

Islington Bay Road to Wreck Bay

Time: One hour one way

The Wreck Bay Track takes a twisting route to a bay on the northern side of Rangitoto. Wreck Bay and the adjacent Boulder Bay was once used as a dumping ground for old ships. The remains of some ships can still be seen at low tide.

Note: Sections of this track are over broken lava fields and the footing is rough and uneven. Good foot wear is essential.

Rangitoto Island shorter walks

All these short walks originate from Rangitoto Wharf.

Track times are indicative only. Please ensure you have plenty of time to complete your walk and catch the ferry.

Kowhai Grove

Time: 45 minutes return taste, keep you fuller for longer. The 12 pack contains an assortment of 7 flavours

This short walk leads to a small kowhai grove, especially attractive in Above left: A boardwalk on the way to Flax Point.

Below right: A group on their way just after the start of the Summit Track.

Caramel, Espresso, Fudge, Mint, Pineapple, Raspberry, Vanilla Bean.

$29.95 plus $7 Shipping

Available now from:

Walking New Zealand Shop

P O Box 1922, Palmerston North Phone 0800-925-546 or email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Foldable Hiking Sticks

Rangitoto Island walks on Auckland’s youngest volcano

spring when the trees are flowering.

Kidney Fern Glen

Time: 45 minutes return

A track branching off the Summit Track leads through a glen of delicate, translucent kidney ferns, at their best after rain.

Flax Point and historic baches

Above: The coastal track winds its way to the baches.

Below:: The Rangitoto Island summit viewing platform with views of the city of Auckland and its eastern beaches.

Time: One hour return

A coastal walk to a black back gull breeding colony on Flax Point. The first section of track passes by some of the remaining historic baches on the island.

Rangitoto Island Summit Walks

Walks begin at either Rangitoto, Islington Bay or Yankee wharf. Walking times are based on an average to slow pace, and will vary with different levels of fitness.

* 51cm-110cm

* Folds into 4 sections

* Comes with handy bag

* Made from Aviation Aluminium

$34.95 plus $7 Shipping

Available now from:

Walking New Zealand Shop

P O Box 1922, Palmerston North Phone 0800-925-546 or email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Available from Rangitawa Publishing, rangitawa@xtra.co.nz, Kindle, Amazon books or order from any book store.

-

. Please ensure you have plenty of time to complete your walk and catch the ferry.

Summit Track

Time: One hour one way from Rangitoto Wharf

The shortest and most popular route to the summit begins at Rangitoto Wharf and climbs through lava fields and forest to the peak at 259 metres above sea level.

The summit gives panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. At the summit another track circles the rim of the crater.

Lava Caves Track

Time: 15 minutes one way from Summit Track; One hour one way from Rangitoto Wharf; One hour 45 min one way from Rangitoto Wharf to lava caves to summit.

This short diversion off the Summit Track leads to lava tunnels and caves. If you want to explore the tunnels and caves, bring a torch. Return to the Summit Track or Summit Road via the sign posted track.

Wilson Park Track

Time: One hour 45 minutes from Rangitoto Wharf; 45 minutes from Summit Track turnoff to summit This alternative route to the summit branches off the Summit Track before the Lava Caves Track turnoff.

Note: Sections of this track are over broken lava fields and the footing is rough and uneven. Good foot wear is essential.

Above right: A group on their way to the summit on a smooth part of the track.

Below left: On a shaded section. Below right: Looking over to the Sky Tower from Rangitoto.

ABy Deborah Gedye

fter our original plan to climb Rangitoto on New Years day was scuppered by an unexpectedly fully booked ferry, my husband and I decided to head out west to walk our favourite trail in the

Left: Great views from the west coast.

Above right: Sprouted flax fronds.

Waitakere Ranges, the Mercer Bay Loop Track, joining Comans Track down to Karekare.

We parked at the end of Log Race Road, off Te Ahuahu Rd which runs directly off Piha Road just before it descends to Piha.

Walking down through low ti tree forest with peeks of the coast through the brush, we watched a large quail warning it’s family to stay hidden then eventually reached a lookout which gives amazing coastal views south towards Karekare.

Heading further downward taking the right fork at the track junction is not to be missed, in my mind the ‘piece de resistance’ of the whole trail.

Passing a former pa site brings another smaller lookout platform with the grandest view of all, this time leaving a feeling of standing on the very edge of the west coast of New Zealand (in fact we were).

The breath-taking view leaves us silenced, quietly watching wild, swollen lines of waves as they hit the land way below us.

We are surrounded behind by proud brilliant red, newly sprouted flax fronds (harakeke flax flowers) standing on their unobstructed hillside site, the odd seagull softly rotates above, the incredible cliffs

Above right: The rocky coastline. Below left: A busy bumble bee.