AusLeisure

For the first time, New Zealanders are outnumbering international walkers as they set off from Cape Reinga to Bluff, walking Te Araroa Trail - the length of New Zealand.

Te Araroa Trust Chief Executive, Mark Weatherall says it's an exciting time for the trail noting "we've obviously lost almost all our international guests to COVID-19 and the closed borders but we also have a bunch of Kiwis who have decided to walk the length of their country for the first time."

Weatherall says tens of thousands of New Zealanders walk segments of the trail each year. But when it comes to through-walkers, the people who walk the entire trail in one 4-5 month block, internationals have always outnumbered Kiwis.

Weatherall adds "for most Kiwis, Te Araroa is something they can walk over their lifetime rather than over a single summer.

“However, this summer is different. Intrepid Kiwis are exploring their country in a new way. And, in doing so they are helping keep alive the many tiny businesses along the trail that rely on tourists.

“Many Kiwis learned from COVID-19 that they want to see more of NZ. Domestic tourism numbers are up. They are spending more time in our amazing outdoors. And they are supporting our regions by stepping into the shoes of missing international tourists.”

Image courtesy of Te Araroa New Zealand’s Trail

Related Articles

26th August 2020 - Te Araroa Trust partners with Walking Access Commission

9th August 2020 - Appointments made at new Te Araroa Northland Trust

1st October 2019 - New walking season set to see growing numbers embark on the Te Araroa trail

4th September 2019 - Te Araroa trail celebrated in New Zealand postage stamp series

17th July 2019 - Te Araroa Trust plan looks to deliver sustainable walking experiences over next three years

23rd May 2019 - Rural businesses benefiting from growth in Te Araroa walker numbers

21st December 2018 - Young walkers on track to set Te Araroa record

24th October 2017 - Taumarunui to remain a key stop on Te Araroa trail

31st July 2017 - More New Zealanders walking Te Araroa trail

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.