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Walking the Te Araroa Trail: Raising awareness for Parkinson’s New Zealand

  • Page closes 7 April

      1 April 2021
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    Kia ora, this page supporting Parkinson's NZ closes on 7 April. Anyone still thinking of donating there are just a few more days to go. Huge thanks again to all who have contributed, it's been massive. Take care, Syd

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    • 08/09/2025 by Geoge

      I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago. For over two years, I relied on prescription medications and therapies, but unfortunately, the symptoms continued to worsen. My mobility declined, tremors increased, and I experienced growing fatigue and discomfort that affected my daily life. Last year, out of desperation and hope, I decided to try an herbal treatment program from NaturePath Herbal Clinic. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but within a few months of starting the treatment, I began to notice real changes. My energy improved, the discomfort eased, and I felt stronger and more capable in my daily life. Incredibly, I also regained much of my stamina, balance, and confidence. It’s been a life-changing experience I feel more like myself again, better than I’ve felt in years. If you or a loved one is struggling with Parkinson’s disease, I truly recommend looking into their natural approach. You can visit their website at www. naturepathherbalclinic .com

  • Been there, done that 😎

      28 February 2021
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    How does it feel to finish? A mixture of elation at completing and wondering what to do with the bit of the day between 6.00am and 8.00pm when I used to be very active. I will figure that out!

    The Southland Times published a lovely article last Wednesday (24 Feb) about my walk and the reasons for it. Here is a link to the Stuff page. Great reporter and photographer who really made the effort to get to grips with what I was doing.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/124349249/former-southlander-comes-home-for-charity

    or search for "former southlander comes home for charity"

    There have been a lot of very generous donations for which I am extremely grateful (and Parkinson's NZ). Thank you. The page will stay open for a few weeks yet - I am hoping to maybe get to $10k 😎

    This photo is from my tracker app for this season's part of the walk, from the Richmond Alpine track to Bluff.

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    • 03/03/2021 by Amy

      I was around 58 when my thumb started giving me problems. As time passed i had other symptoms; hand tremors, restless sleep, muscle weakness, cognitive decline, voice spasm, stiff achy right arm and ankle. At 60 i was diagnose of PARKINSONS DISEASE, i was on Carbidopa and Pramipexole for two years, they helped alot but not for long. As the disease progressed my symptoms worsened, with my neurologist guidance i started on natural alternative PARKINSONS DISEASE treatment from M.H.C. (Mayaka Natural Clinic), the treatment worked very effectively, my severe symptoms simply vanished, i feel better now than I have ever felt and i can feel my strength again. Visit ww w. mayakanaturalclinic. c om My neurologist was very open when looking at alternative medicines and procedures, this alternative parkinson disease treatment is a breakthrough.

    • 03/07/2025 by Belinda

      When my Alzheimer’s symptoms began to worsen forgetting names, losing my way, and struggling with everyday tasks I felt overwhelmed and frightened. Traditional medications offered limited help, and I started to believe there was nothing more that could be done. That’s when I discovered NaturePath Herbal Clinic.From the very beginning, their approach felt different. The team took time to listen, understand my symptoms, and tailor a natural herbal therapy specifically for me. Within a few weeks, I began noticing changes my thoughts felt clearer, I had fewer moments of confusion, and even my mood improved. My family noticed the difference too.While Alzheimer’s is still a part of my life, I finally feel like I have a sense of control again. NaturePath didn’t just offer treatment they offered hope, compassion, and genuine care. If you or a loved one is navigating Alzheimer’s, I strongly recommend reaching out to them. It could be the turning point for others [w ww.naturepathherbalclinic .com]

  • Bluff

      22 February 2021
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    Today is Bluff day, currently 17kms to go 😎😎😎

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  • Bluff

      21 February 2021
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    Tomorrow (Monday 22 February 2021) I walk the final 17 kms into Bluff. The whole journey from Cape Reinga has taken 120 walking days spread over two seasons. Massive challenge and not entirely sure what’s next!

    Thanks to all the donors, you are so generous in your support.

    Some photos posted here and I will update again when I get to Stirling Point.

    Thanks again

    Syd 😎

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  • Almost at Bluff!!

      21 February 2021
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    Hi everyone - things have been going well since my last update. I have trekked down through Lake Tekapo to Ohau, then over the Ahuriri river to Breast Hill, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, the Motatapu track to Arrowtown, to Queenstown then down the Greenstone/Mavora track to the Takitimu range and Longwoods in Southland.

    A couple of days ago I arrived at Colac Bay signalling the end of the heavy duty bush tracks and arrival at the Southland coast. And yesterday 35kms from Colac Bay and all the way along Oreti beach. Tomorrow I will complete at Bluff.

    Along the way friends and family members have joined me and walked part of the trail to show their support for Parkinson's NZ.

    That's the reason for this 3,000km trek, to try and help people who have to live with Parkinson type conditions.

    Thanks for all your generosity and ..... its not too late to donate now that I am at the finish 😎

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  • 2480 kms done - 480k to ho

      17 January 2021

    17 January 2020 update

    Hi there

    Time for an update, it’s been a while.  Things have gone well since the Richmond alpine traverse.  Next section was down from St Arnaud and then up and over the Waiau Pass - another massive challenge of 7 days continuous tramping but job done.  Then it was across to Arthur’s Pass, down to the Rakaia river, next to Rangitata river then up and over the Two Thumb track to Lake Tekapo.  Currently I’m at Lake Ohau waiting out the  bad weather before heading over Bresat hill to Lake Hawea.

    There are quite a few new photos in the gallery but there are also links below to many photographs on Instagram and Facebook which have commentary about where I’ve been and what I’ve seen.

    Really appreciate your support for Parkinson’s and for the people affected by it.

    Ngā mihi

    Syd

    https://www.instagram.com/sydk60/

    https://m.facebook.com/syd.king.39

    https://maps.findmespot.com/s/5MJ1/C6

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    • 03/03/2021 by Amy

      I was around 58 when my thumb started giving me problems. As time passed i had other symptoms; hand tremors, restless sleep, muscle weakness, cognitive decline, voice spasm, stiff achy right arm and ankle. At 60 i was diagnose of PARKINSONS DISEASE, i was on Carbidopa and Pramipexole for two years, they helped alot but not for long. As the disease progressed my symptoms worsened, with my neurologist guidance i started on natural alternative PARKINSONS DISEASE treatment from M.H.C. (Mayaka Natural Clinic), the treatment worked very effectively, my severe symptoms simply vanished, i feel better now than I have ever felt and i can feel my strength again. Visit ww w. mayakanaturalclinic. c om My neurologist was very open when looking at alternative medicines and procedures, this alternative parkinson disease treatment is a breakthrough.

    • 03/06/2025 by susan

      My husband was diagnosed of Parkinsons disease 2 years ago, when he was 49. He had a stooped posture, tremors, right arm does not move and also a pulsating feeling in his body. He was placed on Senemet for 8 months and then Sifrol was introduced and replaced the Senemet, during this time span he was also diagnosed with dementia. He started having hallucinations, lost touch with reality. Suspecting it was the medication I took him off the Siferol (with the doctor’s knowledge) and started him on PD-5 natural herbal formula we ordered from AKNNI HERBAL CENTRE, his symptoms totally declined over a 3 weeks use of the AKANNI HERBAL Parkinsons disease natural herbal formula. He is now almost 51 and doing very well, the disease is totally reversed!  (Visit w w w.aknniherbscentre .com)

  • Syd King - back on Te Araroa 2020/2021

      11 December 2020
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    Kia ora te whanau

    Well, for better or worse, this photo is the exact spot (Aniseed Road, Richmond - Hacket picnic area) where I pulled out from Te Araroa back in January 2020. 1000 kms of training later I am back and today (Wednesday 9 December) completed what is regarded as the the toughest part of TA, the Richmond Ranges alpine track. Eight days of continuous tramping arriving in St Arnaud today. Tough gig but job done and heading for Waiau Pass this Saturday (12 December) assuming weather forecast stays good. Will keep you posted.

    I have an Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/sydk60/

    and Facebook:

    https://m.facebook.com/syd.king.39

    where you can find photos of progress, plans etc.

    and you can follow my physical progress via my Spot Gen3 tracker:

    https://maps.findmespot.com/s/5MJ1/C6

    The purpose of my fundraising is to support Parkinson’s NZ who in turn support Parkinson’s sufferers - in particular a Parkinsonism condition called MSA (multiple systems atrophy). My family lost our sister to MSA a few years ago and anything we can do to help people with this condition has got to be a good thing.

    There are further details in earlier updates below.

    I pulled out from TA back in January 2020 having made it from Cape Reinga to the Richmond Ranges, pretty exhausted  .... now I am back and hoping to complete to Bluff late February or sometime in March 2021.

    If you are able and willing to donate to PNZ that will be hugely appreciated.

    Thanks in advance, wish me luck and take care yourselves.

    Ngā mihi

    Syd King

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  • moving on

      6 March 2020
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    Greetings everyone. Huge thanks for your support and generous donations to this highly deserving cause of Parkinson's / MSA. These have been beyond any expectations I could have had and are hugely appreciated. The total now is just over $6,000 which is just great. Thank you, thank you.

    I am proud of where I got to, and the decision to stop in the circumstances I found myself in. I've been home for around 7 weeks now, fully recovered and feeling fit and strong. Went for a blast in the Ruahines last week, 1300m up and above the bushline, just checking a few things out .... e.g. motivation and fitness, and a bit of new gear!

    If I am still feeling fit and strong this time next year (February 2021) I will likely reconvene Te Araroa with a view to finishing in one go if I can manage it (will be 69 then!) or in sections if I cannot. In the meantime, apart from spending a year being a full-time husband, father and granddad again (and a bit of part-time work) I am looking at re-equipping with significantly lighter gear with a view to halving my pack base weight. It was hot, steep and demanding back in January when heading into the Richmond Ranges but I think the most significant tramping factor that stopped me was a too heavy pack. Hopefully lesson learned. Will see how I feel this time 2021.

    Thanks again everyone, still a few days before closing this page if anyone wants to make a last minute donation.

    Love to all, kia kaha, Syd

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  • Update from Syd King:

      22 January 2020
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    Here is a link to my Instagram account where you will find a video update.

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/B7mDQd6FC4w/?igshid=3pvpjnnk5rm6

    Last week on 15 January I made the difficult decision to put an end to my goal of walking the length of the 3,000-km Te Araroa trail. After resuming the South Island leg of my long walk post-Christmas, I found myself struggling to cope with an unavoidably heavy backpack (10-days food rations) and increasingly tough tramping conditions.

    Some parts of the trail are very steep and technically demanding, requiring a high degree of strength and agility. I do feel fit and strong enough but, at the age of 68, I have to concede that my scrambling agility was a lot better a couple of decades ago. The net effect was that I was often too slow, arriving at my camp dog-tired after a long day of tramping in hot sun with the certain prospect of doing it all over again next day.

    Under these circumstances I felt that I ran a real risk of getting into trouble as I approached the alpine environments in the South Island and that is what prompted my decision to quit. My niece Keri picked me up from the Richmonds and I am now back home in Napier with the rest of my family. I am disappointed that my long walk has ended under these circumstances, but I am proud of what I have done and my reasons for doing it.

    The last 4 months have seen me walking the best part of 1,850 km (including 150 km of canoeing the Whanganui river). There have been many adventures on this marvellous trail, with plenty of time to think and contemplate what is important in life. And to learn a bit more about myself, physically and mentally. I have had an unparalleled opportunity to observe close-up New Zealand’s natural beauty and to meet all sorts of people who make up our highly varied (and endlessly interesting) society. The experience has been both enlightening and humbling.

    I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family and friends. Thanks to all who have supported me one way or another and a special thanks to those who have contributed to my fundraising effort for Parkinson’s New Zealand.

    Love to all,

    Syd

    I intend to leave the Givalittle donation page running for a few more weeks. The desire and need to support people with Parkinsonism conditions such as Multiple System Atrophy doesn’t stop just because I have. Anyone who would like to donate can still do so until the end of February 2020.

    Givalittle:

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/walking-the-te-araroa-trail-2019-raising-awareness

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    • 22/01/2020 by Kate

      Hi Syd - I am impressed you have covered so much of our beautiful country on your own two feet! What amazing memories you have created. I have donated already and appreciate what you have done in raising awareness and funds for Parkinsons, as my mother had a progressive form of this and benefitted from their support. Arohanui xx

    • 03/06/2025 by susan

      My husband was diagnosed of Parkinsons disease 2 years ago, when he was 49. He had a stooped posture, tremors, right arm does not move and also a pulsating feeling in his body. He was placed on Senemet for 8 months and then Sifrol was introduced and replaced the Senemet, during this time span he was also diagnosed with dementia. He started having hallucinations, lost touch with reality. Suspecting it was the medication I took him off the Siferol (with the doctor’s knowledge) and started him on PD-5 natural herbal formula we ordered from AKNNI HERBAL CENTRE, his symptoms totally declined over a 3 weeks use of the AKANNI HERBAL Parkinsons disease natural herbal formula. He is now almost 51 and doing very well, the disease is totally reversed!  (Visit w w w.aknniherbscentre .com)

    • 03/07/2025 by Belinda

      When my Alzheimer’s symptoms began to worsen forgetting names, losing my way, and struggling with everyday tasks I felt overwhelmed and frightened. Traditional medications offered limited help, and I started to believe there was nothing more that could be done. That’s when I discovered NaturePath Herbal Clinic.From the very beginning, their approach felt different. The team took time to listen, understand my symptoms, and tailor a natural herbal therapy specifically for me. Within a few weeks, I began noticing changes my thoughts felt clearer, I had fewer moments of confusion, and even my mood improved. My family noticed the difference too.While Alzheimer’s is still a part of my life, I finally feel like I have a sense of control again. NaturePath didn’t just offer treatment they offered hope, compassion, and genuine care. If you or a loved one is navigating Alzheimer’s, I strongly recommend reaching out to them. It could be the turning point for others [w ww.naturepathherbalclinic .com]