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Walking the Length of New Zealand for a Cause That Matters

  • What a stretch it’s been — and what incredible news to come back to! 💛

      2 February 2026
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    We’ve just come out of the Richmond Ranges, one of the toughest, wildest, and most demanding sections of the entire Te Araroa Trail — and without doubt one of the most beautiful. Towering ridgelines, endless views over Nelson and Marlborough, crystal-clear rivers, tarns tucked beneath the peaks, and star-filled skies made this section feel truly special. Big climbs, long days, tricky descents, and plenty of emotional ups and downs — this place tested us in every way. But we made it through, and reaching St Arnaud felt like a massive milestone in more ways than one.

    When we finally got back into phone coverage yesterday, we were blown away to discover that not only had we reached our fundraising goal for Totara Hospice South Auckland… we’ve actually exceeded it — NZ$10,075 and counting! 🎉

    We honestly can’t thank you all enough. Your donations, messages, and encouragement carry us on the hard days and remind us why we’re out here doing this. Totara Hospice provides such important care and support, and we’re incredibly proud to be walking for them.

    Trail stats update: we’re now 1,992 km down out of 3,056 km — a long way walked… and still a long way to go! If you’ve been meaning to donate or share our page, we’d still love your support as we continue heading south.

    Richmonds ✔️

    Hearts full ✔️

    Legs tired ✔️

    Thank you for being part of this journey with us 💚

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  • North Island Done

      14 January 2026
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    Kia Ora from windy Wellington.

    We finished the North Island on the 13th of January!!

    3 days after Palmerston North we began the Tararua Range. And wow did this section live up to its reputation.

    We had 5 days of relentless mud, slick roots, knife-edge ridgelines, some really steep climbs, endless descents, howling wind, and cloud that swallowed the tops whole. Slips and falls.

    We climbed through beautiful beech forest - known as “the goblin forest”. We broke through cloud on high peaks for breathtaking views stretching from Kapiti Island to the South Island, Ruapehu and Taranaki, and then plunged back down into moss-covered valleys and cold rivers.

    Standing at the bottom of the south island, with tired legs, it hit us just how far we’ve come. 1740.6 km to be precise. 86 days including rest days. An epic adventure. So many amazing people. From the very top of the country, across beaches, down rivers, through forests, up mountains, farms, volcanoes… and finally through the toughest mountains of them all so far.

    North Island: done.

    Grateful. Humbled. A little broken. And really proud.

    We’re also incredibly grateful for the support behind us off-trail. Thanks to your generosity, our walk for Totara Hospice has now reached over 93% of our $10,000 fundraising goal. Knowing we’re so close gives every hard kilometre even more meaning.

    South Island — we’re coming and we can’t wait!

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Aldo & Mark – Te Araroa for Totara Hospice

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  • Kia ora and Happy New Year — nearly halfway!

      31 December 2025
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    Kia ora and Happy New Year — nearly halfway! A short update since our last update deep in the Timber Trail!

    As 2026 begins, we want to pause and say a huge thank you to every single person who’s been following, supporting, donating, and cheering us on. Your messages, encouragement and generosity truly keep us moving, especially through the long hot road sections, thunderclaps, river rapids, and logistics!

    Over the past couple of weeks we’ve travelled from Taumarunui all the way down the Whanganui River and into Palmerston North — paddling rapids, walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, sharing campsites with fellow TA hikers from all over the world, and being welcomed with incredible trail angel kindness. And at long last, we are so close to the halfway mark of this 3,000km journey for Totara Hospice.

    We’re tired, a bit sore in the knees ankles and feet, and occasionally rain soaked — yet completely energised by what this cause means. Walking for hospice has reminded us daily that dignity, love, and support at the hardest moments in life truly matter.

    Thank you for being part of this mission. Here’s to a meaningful 2026 ahead, full of gratitude, good people, and maybe slightly fewer hills!

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Aldo & Mark – Te Araroa for Totara Hospice

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  • 1000 KM for Tōtara Hospice and counting!

      4 December 2025
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    Kia ora everyone — it’s been a while, so here’s a quick update and a huge thank you ❤️

    Over the past few weeks we’ve walked from the beaches north of Whangārei through Auckland and deep into the Waikato — climbing mountains, crossing estuaries, battling storms and heat, and meeting incredible trail angels and hikers from around the world. The trail has been beautiful, challenging, emotional and full of unexpected kindness.

    A real highlight was walking into Tōtara Hospice with members of the fundraising, community and clinical teams. Their warmth, singing, stories and generosity reminded us exactly why we’re doing this. The care they give to patients and whānau is extraordinary, and carrying their spirit with us has meant a lot on the hard days.

    We’ve now passed 1,000 km, feeling tired but grateful — and more motivated than ever.

    To everyone who has donated, messaged, shared our page, or simply cheered us on: thank you. Your support truly keeps us moving.

    If you’re able to continue supporting or sharing our fundraising link, it all helps Tōtara Hospice continue their vital work.

    Ngā mihi nui — thanks for walking alongside us in spirit.

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  • News from the trail

      1 November 2025
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    A lot has happened since the last update just over a week ago. Shrek and Donkey have made their way south steadily and are now in Pataua South having another well deserved rest day to give the bodies a break.

    Since our last update in Kerikeri we have:

    • Passed the 300km mark (10% of the trail)

    • Left Northland district and entered Whangarei district

    • Walked 157km

    • Ascended 3654m

    • Descended 3670m

    Spirits are still high as we continue our journey south getting closer to Auckland in the next few days. We appreciate all the follows and comments on the various social platforms.

    Most of all we appreciate the 79 donors that have contributed to our cause. You are the super stars! Every cent we raise goes towards Totara Hospice. The current Government funding makes up just under 50% of their operating costs. This gap in funding is around the $5million mark each year.

    Please keep sharing the message and our Givealittle link on your social platforms, as we continue our journey to our funding goal as well.

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/aldo-mark-ta

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  • Update from the trail

      23 October 2025
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    A quick update from Shrek and Donkey who have now made it to Kerikeri (km225) of Te Araroa. And a huge thanks to all who have so generously donated to support the work of Tōtara Hospice! We are now well over half way to our $10k target!

    It’s been said that if you can survive Te Araroa from Cape Reinga to Kerikeri you have a good chance of finishing the whole trail. Shrek and Donkey really hope they are right!

    The Northland forests were exactly as promised. Tough, muddy, but very beautiful.

    Apart from the endless mud the forests treated us to a stunning sunset from the summit camp of Raetea at 744m elevation. To several giant Kauri snails (Paryphanta) which can live for 20 years. To 8km of navigating via a deep river canyon wading from shoal to shoal sometimes waste deep. To spectacular stands of Kauri that stand like silent sentinels over a timeframe that dwarfs ours.

    Today we will “take a zero” in Kerikeri to launder clothes and resupply before heading towards Waitangi, Paihia and then down the East coast towards the Whangarei Heads.

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  • Trail Update

      14 October 2025
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    We have just completed the first of the 82 Te Araroa sections. Here is Donkey's reflection on this section:

    This was an amazing experience. The beach is beautiful, relentless and brutal. It’s a beach that has something special. Donkey shed a tear or two for no reason! Early on in this trail I’m realising that it is not just the amazing scenery that make this walk special it’s the people. From the lovely Gabby at Hukatere Lodge to Sandra and Steve at Ngapae campground - we have been on the receiving end of nothing but kindness and support. And our fellow walkers from all walks of life and stories to tell who have been drawn to this walk for all sorts of reasons have simply been awesome!! 3% of the way and loving every minute!

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  • And were are off....

      8 October 2025

    Wow, the time has flown the last couple of weeks. Between finishing work, chores around the house, final prep and getting ready we have been flat out.

    But now we are on the bus to Kaitaia to start our walk tomorrow at Cape Reinga. We are pumped for the journey AND blown away by the generosity of people.

    Thank you again from Shrek and Donkey

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    • 08/10/2025 by Aldo Coetzee

      "We are off" should be the subject line. Autocorrect strikes again

  • September Update

      14 September 2025

    We are less than one month out from starting our journey. Thanks to our donors we are almost at the 20% mark to reaching our goal.

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  • July Update

      4 August 2025
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    A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated toward our goal — your support means the world to us. Mark and I are truly blown away by the generosity so far.

    In July, we logged 180 kilometers between us as part of our training. We’re fine-tuning our gear and learning what works best on the trail.

    Only ten or eleven weeks to go! Our start date will depend on the weather, but the countdown is on.

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