With the popularity of bike-packing being the new rage, with many keen bikers leaving for the Tour Aotearoa from Cape Reinga to Bluff, we remember and celebrate the pioneers in a more relaxing fun event which started in early March 2006.

The original GNZT included mainly horse riders so the route did not allow any main roads or formed tracks. It led along beaches and across farms and over every hill in the remote backcountry. Bikers and walkers teamed up with the horse riders to head south from Cape Reingawith the aim to raise funds for MS.

No one imagined it was going to take 13 years to complete. The concept was for one week trail every year to continue south from approximately (some years it was very approximate) where the previous year ended. What a great event. Many participants still keep in touch with TRM so many great friendships were forged from that GNZT. View the brief video for the 2006-2013 eight North Island stages.