Walking New Zealand February 2023

Arataki Track in Maniapoto area closed due to erosion risk Erosion has forced the closure of a second track in DOC's Maniapoto district, with a landslip on the Arataki Track. Graham Kimber, DOC's Maniapoto Operations Manager, says work is underway to determine repair options for the track, on the eastern side of the Pureora Forest in the central North Island. The closed section is from the YMCA Camp Park Lee-within Pureora Forest - to the end of Arataki Road. The landslip is approximately 15 metres wide with a drop of up to 3 metres. It is on the eastern side of the Arataki Suspension Bridge and is on the section of track running along the Arataki Stream. “We've had staff visit the site and carry out some initial inspections, but…

My Favourite Walk In November a group of us boarded the ferry for Waiheke with fingers and toes crossed, hoping we could finish the Te Ara Hura 86.4km walk around Waiheke Island. Waiheke has a long and interesting history of both Maori and European settlement. About 6 -700 year's ago both Te Arawa and Tainui landed here to repair their canoes before venturing further on. All waka travelling between the Bay of Islands and the Bay of Plenty passed here, so it was known as Te Motu arai roa the long sheltering island, but was a place of constant fighting, as various iwi invaded and occupied the land. In 1700 Ngati Paoa (a branch of Tainui) claimed the land and lived in peace with other members of the Marutuahu alliance.…

Porirua has more than 100 kms of walking tracks that traverse the coastline, bush, city, farmland, wetlands, and historic sites. There are dozens of walks in the greater Porirua area from Pukerua Bay in the north to Kenepuru in the south, from Belmont and Battle Hill Regional Parks in the east and Titahi Bay in the west. Explore the outdoors. We have plenty of great hiking tracks and trails in Porirua for all ages and fitness levels. Build up your stamina and confidence on Porirua's walks then dare yourself to enter the Porirua Grand Traverse, a multisport event including running, kayaking, and mountain biking, held once a year in Porirua. Pukerua Bay to Paekākāriki Escarpment Track Distance: 10 km, three to five hours one-way Gradient: moderate, challenging Surface type: mixed…

New Zealand Walk The new 24km Te Aratia Walkway straddles the Mahia Peninsula, near Wairoa, linking its eastern and western sides. Some locals call it the Mahia Coast-to-Coast. The Provincial Growth Fund invested $450,000 to establish this high standard walk and cycle way on Mahia Peninsula. Last month it celebrated over a decade of work the community has put into building it with an opening ceremony.. Project coordinator Nicolas Caviale-Delzescaux says the walkway owes its vision to leadership from Tuahuru Marae and Kaiuku Marne. Kathleen Mato of Ngāti Rongomaiwahine was an inspiration as chair of the Whangawehi Catchment Management Group when it star ted in 2008. Mato was a rangatira from Tuahuru Marae. "The people of the two marae had a lot of wisdom and vision. Landowners followed that vision…

New Zealand Walk The Te Awa River Ride is one of most accessible and scenic cycling and walking trails in New Zealand. It is the longest concrete path in the country winding its way for 65km from Ngaruawahia to Lake Karapiro following New Zealand's largest river-the mighty Waikato. It began in 2009 with a vision of the Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust to open up more of the Waikato River to our locals and visitors alike and connect our communities along the way. From lake and river to waterfalls, along bridges and elevated boardwalks, the Te Awa River Ride showcases parts of the Waikato that have never before been seen - a world-class recreation experience for the whole family and right on our backdoor step. The final section of…

Unique geothermal areas, lakes and the majestic Redwoods are just some of the sights that walkers will be treated to at the 30th annual Rotorua Walking Festival to be held on 18 and 19 March 2023. These walks will take in amazing geothermal features alongside special walkways, areas adjacent to Whakarewarewa (a Maori village and an area of hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools), Te Puia (NZ Maori Arts and Crafts institute) and then into unique stream, forest and bush areas. Day One involves walks in the majestic Whakarewarewa Forest with distances of 10,21 and 42km marathon walk, plus there is the 5km Family walk. On Day Two you will see Rotorua's unique parks and urban environment displayed. Walking past café's, through the lakefront and around the Government Gardens…