The Te Araroa Caddie. Double Bag.

Hi Everyone,

My names Dougie Haynes, and I'm a golf caddie by trade, living in New Zealand. I have been living and working in New Zealand since 2019, plying my trade at Tara Iti and Te Arai Links golf club. Ever year since being here I have watched Te Araroa hikers come through our small beach town of Mangawhai and have known in my heart that it's something I want to complete, so this summer is the one!

I am hoping to be a little unconventional however, and instead of carrying a normal backpack, I will be attempting to carry two sets of golf clubs, just like I would be at work, packed full with all my required gear to navigate and survive on the trail. I am aiming to depart from Cape Reinga in the last week or so of October and I anticipate arriving into Bluff sometime in April!

I'm hoping to raise money for two causes across my endeavor, KidsCan here in New Zealand, and Mind back in my native UK.

You are reading on the NZ page for KidsCan.

Ever since arriving into NZ I have heard of the pressing issue of Child Poverty in the country. NZ has given me more than I could ever describe, and I would like to give back to the future of this wonderful country and the entire NZ family/Whanau that has been welcoming, kind and generous everywhere I have been.