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Hiking Te Araroa for comfort women and Kiwi kids in need

  • D-DAY, last day on the Te Araroa trail!

      29 March 2025
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    I’m nearly there! Survived the Longwoods, walked along two beaches and some farmland and it feels like a full circle moment being reminded of how I started in the North, can’t believe it’s my last day on the Te Araroa trail today!

    I’m walking 35 odd kms to reach the end today, wish me luck and thank you, thank you all so much for all your support and donations!

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  • Day 143, roughly a week to go!

      24 March 2025
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    Kia ora from Birchwood Station!

    Since my last update, I’ve walked through Wānaka, did a side trip to French Ridge Hut, Queenstown, another side trip to Routeburn and am now all the way in the Southland!

    I climbed my last over 1000m peak on the Telford tops the other day, walked through New Zealand’s largest farm station yesterday and have just 150km to go. Crazy how time flies but the days are surely getting shorter and colder. I have been walking the whole summer and more I guess!

    The Longwoods, notoriously muddy is waiting for me, wish me luck!

    Thank you all again for all your generous donations!

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  • Day 120, summited the highest point of the Te Araroa trail!

      1 March 2025
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    Kia ora from Tekapo!

    Crazy to think I’ve walked all the way here and have just about completed 80% of the trail! The past few weeks have been highlights upon highlights and two days ago, I summited Stag saddle, the highest point of the Te Araroa trail, wild camped with a backdrop of lake Tekapo, Mt Cook and the Southern Alps and enjoyed the most beautiful sunset!

    Thank you all so much for your generous donations and support!

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  • Extending my closing date!

      1 March 2025

    Turns out after some side trips, I’ll probably be done some time in late March or early April!

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  • Day 107 update!

      16 February 2025
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    Crazy to think I’ve been on trail for 107 days now and we’ve detoured off to Christchurch for a couple of rest days after some lengthy sections!

    The top of the South Island saw me through Queen Charlotte and then the mighty Richmond ranges (the most difficult section which I ended up hiking in 5 days instead of 10 and will forever be my biggest flex), the absolutely stunning Waiau pass (we detoured off to Angelus Hut as part of this route and it was my favourite hut of all time) and I’ll soon be going through Arthurs Pass!

    Thank you all again for your generous donations!

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  • South Island update

      24 January 2025
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    Ata mārie whānau,

    It’s been a hot minute. After 75 odd days, I have finished walking the Te Ika-a-Māui, the North Island! Basked in so much hospitality and indulged in so much good food being tempted by so many towns. The three things I crave are always a steak and cheese pie, a steak or fish and chips😂

    I celebrated by birthday at Pelorus Bridge and am in Nelson at the moment, a slight detour to do the Heaphy track and will then be on trail again to do the Richmond ranges, renowned to be one of the most difficult sections of the Te Araroa trail!

    Thanks so much for all your donations once again!

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  • A Waikanae update 1600km!

      12 January 2025
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    Golly goodness I’ve been slack at updating but I am over 1600km on trail now! Since I last updated, I’ve been through the mighty Waikato, bikes the timber trail, canoed the Whanganui Journey and walked the challenging Tararua ranges! I also passed the halfway mark!

    I can definitely feel my body and stamina growing and will be doing a lot of shopping Wellington as things are running out and ripping apart!

    Thank you again for all your generous donations, my pies in town have definitely gone down a treat!

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  • Nearly 700km!

      6 December 2024
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    Kia ora e te whānau!

    Some beautiful farmland, on and off weather, a fall in muddy trail, stunning beaches and 27 days later, I reached home, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland! Felt surreal walking through some childhood gems and catching up with some of you!

    I walked further along south and reached Mercer but unfortunately caught covid and am now resting at home for a few days before starting back up! I’m absolutely gutted and bored out of my mind, but I guess I needed the rest!

    Here’s a photo of me at the summit of the Mt William track!

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  • 400km update!

      21 November 2024
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    Since Kerikeri, I’ve walked through Russell, passed the boundary from the Far North to Whangārei, walked the longest footbridge in the Southern hemisphere in Whananaki and the challenging Te Whara track and am now at Uretiti!

    I’ve also donated 1/3 of your September donations to KidsCan!

    Thanks again for your support and head along to my social media for daily updates!

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  • Resting in Kerikeri!

      12 November 2024
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    I’ve now reached Kerikeri and enjoying a full rest day today! The Raetea forest was brutal with mud and the Ōmahuta-Puketī forest bypass was brutal with boring gravel road. Interesting to be back in civilisation where I need to use a toilet to do my business😂

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  • 99km update!

      5 November 2024
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    A wee little update, I’m at the 99km mark today and have been blessed with amazing weather. Have seen wild horses, seals, savoured hot showers and a soft drink. Safe to say I am happy to see something other than sand and waves tomorrow!

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  • D-Day!

      2 November 2024
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    Today’s the day, thanks for all the support so far, time for me to really embark on this journey!

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  • D-24

      9 October 2024
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    Just a little less than a month before I embark on the Te Araroa trail!

    By way of update, I have made my wee little first aid kit, bought most of my gear and was delighted to receive mail from KidsCan today!

    Thank you all so much for your generous donations and support!

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