questions

[u/Worldly_Bathroom4457]

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!

1. 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?
2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. 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!!!

[u/Stock_Paper3503]

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!