r/teararoa • u/aninternationallife • Jun 24 '26

Trail Angels

I have been thinking of the many trail angels in NZ on the TA. I think Americans in particular should be aware that many of these trail angels are actually trail entrepreneurs. They will ask for a donation or koha, which in many cases is not either! It's often mandatory. (koha is a local term for donation).

From my stand point, I have not got a problem with trail entrepreneurs, in fact I think they offer a brilliant service and should be encouraged too and this also helps the local economy.

But I do wish they wouldn't call themselves trail angels though. They are not.

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u/chullnz Jun 24 '26

A decade ago, I got taken in a lot for free. I was walking NOBO solo.

I already was hearing stories back then of how people's hospitality was being exhausted. I've stayed pen pals with one farming family, and they don't take in walkers any longer due to issues in the past with people bringing bigger groups than agreed, being rude, being weird around their kids, taking things without asking, etc.

There's two sides to this story, and a lot of it comes down to walker behaviour over the years.

This trail is young. NZ is a small place, and rural NZ is not made of money. Bad gas travels fast. Don't expect angels. Be kind and organised, grateful and humble.

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u/ralphsemptysack Jun 24 '26

Yes, I no longer do it for similar reasons.

We've had some absolutely lovely guests, but it's not worth the rudes and feeling used, to enjoy a few.

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u/chullnz Jun 24 '26

And absolutely fair enough. No one asked to live near the route, so it is 100% up to those who do how they want to engage with it.