Backpackers on a mission to conquer Te Araroa
04 Oct 2010
Two young female backpackers are aiming to walk the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa - a soon-to-be-opened foot trail that will span the entire country.
Te Araroa - The Long Pathway will officially open in February, 2011 and at 3000km, will be one of the world's longest walking trails. It will cover the entire length of New Zealand, stretching from Cape Reinga, at the northern tip of the country, down to the Bluff in Southland.
Canadian Shalane Hopkins and Brit Alex Ward came up with the idea for 'Mission Live Life' after meeting at a campsite in Western Australia and discovering a mutual passion for adventure and the great outdoors. The mission is their way of raising environmental awareness and also funds for international charity the Indigo Foundation.
Mission Live Life
Hopkins and Ward predict that it will take five months for them to complete the trek, which will start on 15 October. They are hoping to complete most of the trip before the official launch of Te Araroa in February.
One of their main goals for Mission Live Life is to raise awareness of the importance of keeping the environment clean and beautiful, so future travellers can continue following in their path. Hopkins and Ward are also hoping to encourage other women to be more adventurous and active.
The girls are aiming to raise AU$10,000 for the Indigo Foundation, a charity that provides public health assistance and education to marginalised communities around the world.
Walking the trail
Many parts of the trail are open to the public now, including sections of the track which are administered by New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC).
In February this year, DOC launched a new Red Hills hut as part of the Te Araroa 'Richmond Range' tramp, a challenging seven to eight day trek across some of Marlborough's most scenic mountains.
Many local and regional city councils have also contributed funds towards Te Araroa, either to construct new trails or revamp existing ones. The Te Araroa Trust, which is overseeing the project, has been working closely with DOC to ensure that all tracks are well signposted.
Some of Te Araroa will cross into private land, and the trust is working on building suitable access points for walkers and trampers. When completed, Te Araroa will link New Zealand's north and south, and walkers will be able to stay overnight at key locations in basic huts and camp sites.
Adventure of a lifetime
Shalane Hopkins and Alex Ward met at a campground in Broome while backpacking around Australia. Both are seasoned hikers and have trekked all around the world.
Hopkins hiked alone across British Columbia from Banff to Vancouver in 2009, and Ward has a history of long-distance trekking. Ward has hiked the famous Annapurna Trail in Nepal, as well as other challenging treks in Asia.
Both young women say that Mission Live Life is about effecting a lifestyle change.
"For four years, I was working a busy office job and living life for the weekend, like a large percentage of the population. After a life-changing holiday in India in 2006, I got the inspiration and the nudge I needed to quit my job and travel," said Ward.
Background: Te Araroa - NZ’s long pathway
Te Araroa -The Long Pathway starts at Cape Reinga, at the northern end of the North Island, and will cross the country through key scenic regions, finishing at Stirling Point at Bluff, at the bottom of the South Island.
The project is being overseen by the Te Araroa Trust, which was formed in 1994 to advocate building a New Zealand-long trail.
Cape Reinga is rich in Maori history and lore. ‘Reinga’ means ‘underworld’ and recalls the Maori belief that the cape is where spirits of the dead enter to continue their journey to the afterlife. The Cape Reinga lighthouse is a Kiwi icon and popular tourist attraction, although it is not open to the public.
Stirling Point is the oldest European settlement in New Zealand, and has been continuously occupied since 1824 when Captain William Stirling purchased land for a whaling station at the Bluff. A signpost which points to 12 different world locations marks the start of SH1, the main highway that travels the length of the country.
Te Araroa will show the best natural and destinational highlights in New Zealand - offering hikers and trampers views of remote, sandy beaches, dense bush, steep hills, fast-racing rivers, glaciers, and rainforests as well as historical and cultural highlights.
More information
Te Araroa - the long pathway
NZ's nine 'great walks'
Walking Wanaka's new tracks
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