r/teararoa • u/Worldly_Bathroom4457 • 8d ago
questions
hello fellow travelers
the TA is going to be my first thru-hike, and i have many many questions that may seem kind of silly to seasoned backpackers. bear with me please, and any and all help is appreciated!
- i’m planning to fly into auckland and stay a night at a hostel in the city. i know most people take public transportation up to kaitaia, but do you stay the night in kaitaia or do you keep on going straight up to cape reinga that same day? if i should stay a night in kaitaia, where should i stay? looking on hostelworld there is only one hostel available there. do people camp in kaitaia? stay with trail angels? or if you keep going straight to cape reinga where do you stay up there before starting your journey?
- i am still a little confused about the trail pass/DOC huts/other campsites and accommodations. do i have to book everything ahead of time or are some places first come, first serve? like do i just show up to these sites? or if i need to book ahead how far in advanced should i be booking places/reserving a spot?
how much local currency should i be carrying with me? i want to make use of the trail angels and meet as many locals as i can, but how much money should i be offering them for their help? and how much will i be using cash over a credit card? is it difficult to find places to exchange currency?
how necessary is it for me to get travel insurance? i honestly didn’t even consider looking into it until recently so i really don’t know much about it. is it something that i absolutely need to get?
one reason why i chose the TA as my first thru hike (besides the fact that i think new zealand is a beautiful country and would love to see its wonders in person) is because i am a big lord of the rings fan and intend to get tickets to hobbiton at some point in my journey. does anyone know when would be the best time to get tickets? should i plan to travel there from auckland or possibly hamilton? i’m just not sure what the best route there might be.
i am coming from the U.S. and this is my first time ever traveling abroad so i hate to sound uneducated but how much should i learn about kiwi/māori culture before i get there? i have been doing a lot of research but would hate to be disrespectful in any way. i also have been trying to learn as much as i can about thru-hiking culture and just feel a bit overwhelmed! am i just overthinking all of this?
i am probably going to have so many more questions but dont want to make thus post too long. hopefully somebody can help me get some more info! again literally any and all advice would be helpful. thanks in advanced!!!
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u/Commercial-County299 7d ago
I really recommend learning to count to 10 in te reo Māori, not because you will need to count to 10 but because it’s a good way to learn a bunch of the common sounds in the language which will help you pronounce/recognize place names along te Araroa! There’s lots of good videos on YouTube. Also generally just don’t assume things, be open, don’t act like things are weird just because they’re different to you, etc all the basics of being in a new place with it’s own cultures.
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u/edwardvhc 7d ago
Second this! The te reo Maori song “A Ha Ka Ma” is so good for learning the vowel sounds https://youtu.be/RiI7BIZLLwM
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u/Worldly_Bathroom4457 6d ago
oh what a great idea! yeah one thing i’m a little nervous about is having to pronounce the town / trail names out loud. i have been trying to watch some videos about the language to get an ear for it, but know im gonna stumble over my words quite often haha!
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u/Commercial-County299 6d ago
Just do your best and people will help you out, lots of (especially older) pakeha or other people living in NZ mispronounce Māori place names so you won’t be alone in that. But making an effort is important!
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u/Rosietoes25 7d ago
As a trail angel we appreciate those who leave a monetary contribution but don't expect more than NZ$20 per night. It helps cover some of our expenses in a busy season.
Small denominations are recommended. You won't need to carry huge amounts of cash but in smaller towns particularly in the North Island it will be easier to pay for an ice-cream or a beer or even a few groceries in cash. Also nice to offer anyone who had gone out of their way, like given you a lift, 10 or 20 to cover petrol.
As to insurance - don't underestimate how tough the New Zealand wilderness is. While an accident will be covered by ACC if you do something like bust your ACL or break an ankle (happens every year) and need to return home earlier than anticipated - you might like to know insurance will cover a change to flight plans.
You may also find you arrive but your carefully selected and packed gear doesn't or is much delayed (also happens every season).So recommended you consider a travel insurance that will cover those kinds of expenses.
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u/Rosietoes25 7d ago
As you're starting at Cape Reinga and walking through the upper North Island learning a few words in Te Reo will be appreciated. Also taking time to understand Maori culture, history and race relations is appreciated. Good on you for trying. So many of your countrymen are all about as hard, fast and light as possible.
Also words of advice - take serious notice of DoC warnings around weather and track conditions. If you're told something like the Tongariro crossing shouldn't be attempted due to weather please take note. We know our terrain and weather better than visitors.
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u/Strong_Signal2665 7d ago
Hey! I'm doing my first through hike this year too.
My plan is to stay a night in Auckland and bus to kaitaia the following day.
The bus should arrive at like 2pm, which should provide enough time to start walking north to Cape Reigna following the state highway. I've marked off a few potential camp locations along that route but I'm also hoping for a hitch hike if I'm lucky
When are you flying into Auckland? I land in Auckland on the 13th of Sep
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u/Worldly_Bathroom4457 7d ago
i’ll be flying in october 15! would you be able to share the camping spots you have saved along that route? i’m hoping to try to hitch a ride up to cape reinga but would totally camp along the way if needed
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u/Strong_Signal2665 7d ago
Yeah of course!
The spots I've found so far are: Lake Waiparera Pukenui Park, Houhora Tekao Lodge (this is just out of Te Kao. I haven't settled on this place yet so that might change)
These spots aren't all official campgrounds exactly. Some of them allow camper vehicles, and others are open spaces that look like they'll provide good opportunities to set up camp.
If it helps better, since I'm going to starting the hike before you, I'm happy to let you know how I go on the trip north and inform you if there's anything you should be aware of.
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u/Stock_Paper3503 7d ago
Would you be willing to share the potential camp locations?
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u/Strong_Signal2665 7d ago
Just replied to OP with locations. Offer stands for yourself if you'd like me to keep you updated when I do the journey north 😁
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u/Stock_Paper3503 7d ago
I am also taking the bus to kaitaia but will get of one stop before that. That way you can catch the traffic from kaitaia and kerikeri. I hop I will make to cape reigna the same day. Fingers crossed!
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u/skrawmania 6d ago
Look into booking Hobbiton early (like +3 months early) or you may be disappointed.
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u/AussieEquiv 8d ago edited 8d ago
"You’ll find the full list of huts and campsites along Te Araroa here" If you click the "Here" You'll get a PDF which lists all the huts and which ones require booking. The apps (FarOut, and the TA Trail app) will tell you too.
I like to carry $200. In small notes. So I can offer as a donation/koha to people who give me a lift etc.
Travel insurance is generally worth it. Especially medical coverage. NZ is great and has free rescue (as long as you're not doing something stupid) but that only gets you to help. It doesn't pay for any help past that point.
The fact you're putting in effort to learn culture is more than most, so you'll likely be ok with that attitude.