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Te Araroa our national walkway
Mark Weatherall is the Executive Director Te Araroa / Tumu Whakahaere Te Araroa. He gives an overview of Te Araroa, a uniquely kiwi walking experience that covers 3,000 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
- What are some of the different tracks and trails near your place?
- Are any of these tracks part of Te Araroa?
Gear up for Te Araroa
Find out what LEARNZ kaiārahi Andrew has packed in his bag for a day out walking at Bream Head/Te Whara.
- What other supplies might you take on a day walk?
- What are some of the different walking tracks near your place?
- What do you need to think about and plan for if you are going to explore any of these trails?
Planting alongside Te Araroa
Getting involved in restoration planting is a great way to help re-grow populations of native plant and animal species so they once again flourish as they would have before human impacts. The added bonus of helping improve native habitat is being able to get out and enjoy them on trails such as Te Araroa!
- What bird species have been reintroduced to the Bream Head/Te Whara area?
- Are there some places near you that could benefit from some restoration planting?
Controlling weeds
We have special permission to go off track and get a first-hand view of how Bream Head | Te Whara Conservation Trust is dealing with a weedy issue.
- What "skills" do these pest plants have?
- Can you identify any pest plants near your place?
Predator control on Te Araroa
Head ranger Adam from Bream | Te Whara Conservation Trust talks about some of the predator traps they monitor and the benefits that come from trapping predators.
- Why are introduced mammals such a problem for New Zealand's native species?
- Are there opportunities at school or at home, or a local conservation group to help you get involved in predator trapping?
Giving back to the environment
Hear what giving the local environment a helping hand means to a group of Enviroschool ākonga from Whangārei Heads School.
- Which message from the students stood out for you in this video?
- Why should being able to see or hear native and endemic flora and fauna when exploring a trail matter to you?
Working with the environment
Greta and her husband Craig's commitment to the environmental footprint of their farm is a great example for other landowners to follow. And with over 200 walkers accessing their land each year, the public can enjoy the results of their efforts too.
- What are some different ways to show care and respect when accessing private land on a track or trail?
Trail tikanga
Greta from Whananaki Coastal Charolais talks about the responsibility walkers have to respect parts of Te Araroa that run through private land, such as her and her husband's farm.
- Why should land owners bother to care for the environment around their property?
Stop the spread of kauri dieback
Parts of Te Araroa in the North Island pass near kauri trees. Unfortunately, kauri dieback, a disease that can kill kauri trees of all ages, can be spread by dirty footwear, animals, equipment, and vehicles. Kauri dieback biosecurity officer Adrian explains how we can help stop kauri dieback spreading in these areas.
- What might be some of the challenges with having walkers clean their gear at a cleaning station?
Te Araroa trail angels
In the Te Araroa world, Ros and Hugh Cole-Baker are known as trail angels. A trail angel is someone who provides an awesome service to a weary hiker.
- Imagine you are a trail angel. What awesome service would you provide?
- Hugh says walking Te Araroa can be life changing for some people. Why do you think that is?
Choose your next adventure
Hopefully this small taste of Te Araroa has given you some ideas for planning your own adventure in the outdoors. There are plenty of tools to help you with this. Watch the video to find out more about two websites to help you with your plans.
- How is getting involved in walking and hiking beneficial to you and society?
- How might people be encouraged to explore their local tracks and trails?
- Why should having access to our natural environment matter to you?
You could also use this video question template Word (31k) | PDF (217k) | Google Doc to use for each video (based on SOLO Taxonomy).
