Walking in New Zealand
 Walks of up to a day’s duration are found everywhere, including
city greenbelts. Internationally acclaimed multi-day tracks can be walked year round, although some high altitude tracks in the South Island
are restricted by weather. There are walks and tracks from the top of the North Island to Stewart Island at the bottom of the south. They can
be divided into the Great Walks, New Zealand Walkways, Heritage Trails, Kiwi Walks and local Regional Council Walks.
Of the 182,452 US visitors who came to New Zealand in the year ending March 2001 28,210 went on treks and hikes. Of the 192,576 UK visitors, 24,740
went on treks or hikes; 14,483 went on half-hour bush walks; and 25,298 went on full-day walks.
Walking in National Parks
New Zealand has 13 National Parks spanning a third of the country. Although 30 percent of New Zealand’s land area is officially protected, the
public has access to many of these locations for walking and hiking. As well as protecting rare landforms, plants and creatures, New Zealand's National
Parks offer nature lovers and outdoor adventurers an opportunity to experience untouched wilderness. To ensure that these treasures remain for future
generations, parks have a ‘take nothing’ policy.
Tongariro National Park in the central North Island was the second National Park to be established in the world, after Yellowstone National Park in
the United States. Tongariro ranges from herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateaux and active volcanoes. Visitors walking in
the National Parks can expect to see many species found nowhere else in the world. The tuatara is the oldest living genus of reptile in the world. It
has a life expectancy of around 100 years and can be traced back 190 million years to the Mesozoic era. New Zealand is also home to the world’s
only flightless parrot, the kakapo, as well as the only alpine parrot, the kea.
DOC Walkways
There are more than 150 walkways around New Zealand. Many are close to urban centres and are popular for family outings. Others provide access to sites
of special scenic, historic, cultural or spiritual significance and have become part of the country’s tourism facilities. Some walkways have been
specially designed for those seeking an introduction to the backcountry, with a smaller number catering for more experienced hikers. In general, walkways
provide easy walking opportunities.
To see walkways in various regions around the country visit the walkways section of the Department of Conservation’s website (link below).
Forest Walks
There are many forest walks in New Zealand administered by the Department of Conservation. An example is at Hanmer Springs, best known as a thermal
holiday resort, 135 kilometres north of Christchurch. Hanmer Forest Park contains some of New Zealand’s oldest exotic plantings alongside native
trees, and covers 16,852 hectares. There are short walks and full day walks in the area, as well as horse trekking and rafting. A wonderful forest walk
in the North Island is Whirinaki Forest Walk, a temperate rainforest with 500-750 year old podocarps. Ferns and mosses abound, and the sound of cascading
waterfalls harmonises with the songs of native birds. A guided walk can be taken with Nature Connection through the forest, but unguided walks are also
popular.
The Automobile Association website (AA) has a good rundown on Natural Forest and Maritime Parks throughout New Zealand.
Further Information
Hanmer Forest Recreation
Phone +64 3 315 7128
Regional Walks
Deciding which walk to take depends on walking experience and fitness, and whether you wish to be guided or walk independently. On guided walks there
is no need to carry a heavy pack. All meals, beds and showers are provided. Most of New Zealand’s better-known walking tracks offer guided options.
Huts are divided into four categories depending on the facilities offered.
There is one showcase area in each of the Department of Conversation's 13 conservancies and all these areas have walks so visitors can view these places
of significant conservation importance. These include:
- Trounsen Kauri Park - Northland
- Tiritiri Matangi Island - Auckland
- Mount Bruce National Wildlife Recovery Project - Wellington
- Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project - Rotorua
- Otago Central Rail Trail - Otago
- Ulva Island Open sanctuary - Stewart Island
There are 12 Regional Councils in New Zealand, all administering guided and unguided walks of varying descriptions. The Auckland Regional Council runs
a series of discovery walks including a night walk, a dog owner's walk and a swamp walk.
Other Articles: The Great Walks of NZ
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