TRM have recommended this annual trek to many keen bikers looking for an annual challenge. The latest stage from Port Waikato to Kawhia has just finished. For a brief “slide-show” of the original trek through the North Island 2006-2013 (starring TRM hats) scroll to the bottom…

Following copied from Northern Advocate:

Far North charitable trust hosts another epic trek to raise funds for first responders

Jenny Ling

x Northern Advocate – By Jenny Ling

11 Mar, 2023

Milli Owen rides Trouper on the beach during the Trek for Life event from Port Waikato to Kawhia.

An epic trek organised by a Far North charitable trust is fundraising for first responders and rescue services in the communities they pass through.

Trek for Life Aotearoa is an annual week-long adventure for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers who want to take in New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and scenery while helping St John, Fire and Emergency, and Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

This year 155 riders are taking part on horseback from Port Waikato to Kawhia, along with 16 walkers and 14 bikers, assisted by 80 dedicated volunteers.

Trustee Selena Anderson, of Ahipara, said the logistics for the trek, which started on March 4 and runs to March 12, are extensive.

“It’s like moving a whole village every day.

“There’s the marquee, toilets, showers; everything gets taken down every morning and taken to the next location.

“We ride for three days then have a rest day, then ride for another three days.

“You get to see places you wouldn’t normally have access to.

“We’re like a big family, we get the same people going every year.”

Kerikeri horsewoman Milli Owen has completed two previous treks with Trek for Life Aotearoa.

This year, she’s on a big crossbreed called Trouper.

Milli Owen, pictured with Diego and Trouper, is taking part in the Trek for Life event to raise money for first responders. Photo / supplied

“It’s amazing, we’ve been through about 20 different farms so far and covered a lot of kilometres.

“It’s such a privilege to see the countryside by horse and travel the length of New Zealand that way.

“And also for the cause, especially this year, it’s so relevant with everything that’s going on.”

The event began as the Great New Zealand Trek, which started in 2006 at Cape Reinga and had covered nearly 2500km of private land, forestry and beaches by the time it reached Slope Point, the southernmost point of the South Island, in 2019.

The trek was split into 14 stages with participants travelling about 200km over one week every year while fundraising for multiple sclerosis.

Anderson said when the team finished their goal, “we didn’t want it to end, so we set up a new trust”.

Now Lohnet Murray, who owns Ahipara Horse Treks and Tai Tokerau Honey with her husband Rob, along with Anderson, Twyla MacDonald, and Simon Edwards, are the new trustees of Trek for Life Aotearoa.

The inaugural event kicked off from Te Paki Station, near Cape Reinga, in March 2020 and ended in Kohukohu, raising $33,000 for 10 first response and rescue services in the Far North.

The following year’s trek, from Rawene to Pouto, raised another $26,000.

After skipping 2022 due to Covid, this year’s event has been “awesome”, Anderson said.

The inaugural Trek for Life started at Te Paki Station near Cape Reinga in March 2020 and ended in Kohukohu. Photo / Supplied

“We’ve been lucky with the weather, leading up to it was stressful because of the cyclone, and there were a lot of tracks affected.

“We had close to 40 people pull out from Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.”

Murray said people aged from 14 to over 80 from throughout New Zealand, and even some walkers from Australia, were taking part this year.

The main crew of trustees and volunteers are mostly from the Far North, she said.

They expect to raise about $20,000 from the trek that will go to several first responders from Port Waikato to Kawhia.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to is thoroughly enjoying it,” Murray said.

“We’ve got people already saying count them in for next year. The whole atmosphere is really positive.”

“Slide-show” below of the original Great NZ Trek (it was still called NZ back then!) in the North Island 2006-2013:

~ An Annual Affair ~

Trek for Life Aotearoa/NZ

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Do you love exploring? Have you dreamt about discovering New Zealand?

Well, look no further than this unique way to experience our country.

If you love horse riding, mountain biking or walking/hiking then this annual, week-long adventure is for you – while also helping us to raise funds for the First Response and Rescue Services in the community.

Around March every year, we traverse a clearly marked route for 6 days, with a rest and relaxation day in the middle. Most days, the distance from camp to camp is between 25 and 35km, trekking through places that many travellers generally do not have access to – so expect some amazing, untouched and unique perspectives of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and scenery.

Our Charity

We developed the Trek for Life Aotearoa/NZ Charitable Trust with the aim of empowering local communities.

Despite it’s size, some areas of New Zealand can be very remote, and with our innate Kiwi sense of adventure the chances of finding yourself in the wilderness needing assistance is great. So we thought what better way to give back to local communities than to support the First Response and Rescue Services in the areas that we travel through by donating a portion of the proceeds.

In March 2020 the inaugural Trek travelled from Te Paki Station (near Cape Reinga) to Kohukohu and we hope everyone enjoyed it! We donated $33,000 to 10 different First Response and Rescue Services in the Far North and sounds like the funds will be put to good use!

Trek Life

How it Works

Life on the Trek is not a typical camping adventure.

We travel in style – supplying hot showers, flush toilets and gourmet food!

Camp Life

In order to make this Trek a success, we travel with a large support crew of volunteers with a variety of roles including medics, vets, farriers, quad bike support, lunch stop ladies, track marshalls and tail-end Charlie’s who make sure everyone is safe and healthy.

You choose the pace at which you travel, following the trail that is clearly marked with ribbons, arrows and signs to direct you to the next camp. While you are enjoying the trail, our volunteers are busy dismantling, moving and setting up the next camp to await your arrival!

Typical Morning

Wake up with the sunrise.

The breakfast buffet will be served between 6.30am and 7.30am. There is also a lunch bar set up for you to pack your own lunch to enjoy along the trail or at our designated lunch stop.

Gather your gear for the day, pack your belongings and load them into a luggage truck to be taken to the next camp, and be ready to head out around 8.30am!

Lunch Break

Approximately halfway along the trail we will have a designated lunch stop, with water, tea and coffee, toilets and a Coffee Cart!

Our medics, farrier and vet will also be around to deal with any issues that may have arisen that morning.

For any walkers or bikers that may need it, you can catch the shuttle bus from the lunch stop on to the next camp with the lunch volunteers.

Evening/Socialising

Most trekkers will make it back to camp around 4pm. This gives you time to set up your tent, have a shower, and relax any aching muscles. Our lovely masseuse’s will be on hand for those who need it (extra cost) – this is an additional luxury that is well worth it!

Muster is at 6.30pm, this will tell you what to expect for the next day’s trail and we encourage everyone to come early and socialise – a cash bar will be available.

Dinner is served at 7pm and some nights, entertainment will be provided! We encourage our trekkers to spend time together in the marquee, socialising, making new friends and becoming part of the trek whanau.

Logistics

End Camp Shuttle: There will be a shuttle service on arrival day (Saturday) from the End Camp back to the Start Camp. If you have a vehicle that you will not need to use during the week we ask that you drop your gear (e.g luggage and tent – including your bike or horse if necessary) at the start camp, before travelling to the end camp. You will then be shuttled back to the start point. Generally, the Shuttle leaves early afternoon in order to have you all back in time to register and attend Muster.

This is a great option if you are camping. Don’t worry, all your gear will be transported daily from campsite to campsite by a designated luggage truck.

So to clarify if you are camping you will set up your tent after the days trek; the next morning you will take down your tent and gather all your belongings to load into a luggage truck which will then be transported for you to the next camp site for you to do the same thing.

If you wish to sleep in your truck/ float we suggest you bring your own support person ($850). This person does not walk, bike or horse ride but instead is there to support you by driving your vehicle from campsite to campsite. We will not be offering a daily shuttle service – at this stage we need all our volunteers in order to be able to move camp quickly and efficiently. See our FAQs for more information.