About us
"Hiking Aotearoa" caters to individuals who have a passion for the outdoors. We engage in activities such as hiking, walking, mountaineering, camping, skiing, kayaking, rafting, and rock climbing, among others. We enjoy meeting new individuals, so we invite you to join us in the stunning outdoors of New Zealand (Aotearoa).
Most of our events consist of day hikes through bush (forest), parks, streams, urban areas, and along the coastline in the Auckland region. Additionally, we explore further locations on weekend camping or lodge trips, particularly during the summer, and we also organize multi-day hikes throughout New Zealand (Aotearoa). Our hikes differ in terms of difficulty; some require no prior experience, while others present more challenges. You will have the opportunity to learn about climbing and alpine activities from our seasoned organizers. This is an excellent chance to witness and photograph some of the most breathtaking landscapes that New Zealand (Aotearoa) has to offer.
The safety of our group is our highest priority. All our organizers possess extensive experience and carry two way radios and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) when necessary. Naturally, conditions in nature can change rapidly, so it is essential to come prepared and to always adhere to the instructions provided by the organizers.
If you wish to make a donation 06-0145-0782760-00
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081783504106
"Hiking Aotearoa" is a great way to see one of the world's best cities/countries. We look forward to meeting you.
Upcoming events
9
- A$80.00
📌Motutapu island Circuit (1 night)
Royal Akarana Yacht Club, 10 Tamaki Drive, Auckland, NZThis event involves an overnight excursion to Motutapu Island, situated in the Hauraki Gulf, east of Rangitoto Island. Our itinerary includes a walk around the island's entire coastline over the course of two days, covering a total distance of 21.6 km. The coastline features a diverse range of terrain, including sandy beaches and rocky boulders, with certain sections where swimming a short distance may be necessary. Be prepared to get thoroughly wet in some areas. It is advisable to bring waterproof bags, which will assist in maintaining flotation and keeping your belongings dry. If you do not feel entirely confident in swimming short distances, please inform me so that assistance can be provided when required.
This adventure promises to be an enjoyable two days filled with hiking, swimming, camping and exploring parts of a Hauraki Gulf island that are not frequently seen up close.
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❌❗ Preference given to regulars and those who are not SLOW. Just because you are on the "Waiting list" does not necessarily mean you will get to the "Going List".🚩Summary of details:
📌Water taxi ride one way: 25 minutes
📌Hiking times and distances:
a) Southern coastline coastline : 4.5 to 5 hours (estimated) - 11.5 km
b) Northern coastline coastline : 7 to 7.5 hours (estimated) - 17.8 km
📌Maximum of 13 people (max on water Taxi)
📌Cost of return trip by water taxi - $80
📌Map of hike on Saturday: https://tinyurl.com/55pejbpm
📌Map of hike on Sunday: https://tinyurl.com/3ppn38uw
📌Map of water taxi route: https://tinyurl.com/y2d5hcxe🚩This is the important stopping point to note:
👉1) Jetty in front of Akarana Yacht club, 8/10 Tamaki Drive, Orakei
(Where we take the return trip with two water taxis to Motutapu island)
https://bit.ly/3wOxeZi🚩 Time Guideline:
(Guide only):
📌Saturday
05:55 High tide (14th Feb)
07:40 Good time to arrive in front of Akarana Yacht club building
07:50 Latest time to arrive
08:00 Water taxis depart
08:25 Arrive at Home Bay, Motutapu island
08:30 Group photos and introductions
08:35 Pitch tents and set up camp
09:00 Start hike of Northern coastline
11:54 Low tide (14th Feb)
15:00 Approx. finish hike back at camp📌Sunday
06:42 High tide (15th Feb)
08:00 Pack up camping gear
08:30 Start hike of Southern coastline
12:45 Low tide (15th Feb)
14:15 Finish hike (estimation)
15:00 Depart Home Bay with Water Taxi
15:25 Back at Akarana Yacht club
15:30 After hike drinks and snacks at "Akarana Eatery"🚩 Payment: You will need make payment of $80 by 4th January. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name, so I can identify you. Also add "Motutapu to the reference.
❌❗ Important! As previously stated, when hiking around the island, there will be sections where swimming a short distance is necessary. For your own safety, please ensure you bring waterproof bags or waterproof food containers that can fit inside your day pack. These bags or containers will keep your equipment dry and assist with your flotation. Naturally, any electronic devices, such as cell phones, must be placed in waterproof bags. However, the majority of the time spent hiking will not involve swimming, but rather traversing a rocky coastline or beach.
❌❗ There is no car pooling and we will not meet at New World. You will need to get to the Akarana yacht club at Orakei. If you are driving, then please park behind the Akarana Yacht club building, where there is free parking in the white spaces. Do not park in the yellow spaces. The water taxis will leave on time, please be ready to board when required, and if you are late arriving, then we go without you. Please try to arrive early.
🚩Bio security: Clean dirty gear or footwear to remove all dirt and seeds. Check all gear for pests such as mice, rats, ants, plague skinks and weeds. SEAL your gear properly and avoid stowaways. Pack food in sealed containers to avoid attracting rodents. Your bags must be zipped closed (no open bags). Be vigilant.
🚩Camping: You will need to book your own campsite at Home Bay. The camp spot is very large so there is not much chance of not getting a booking. The cost is $10 per person, and you can book here: https://tinyurl.com/ht4drv4y
🚩 Gear check list: https://tinyurl.com/4dperj8d
🚩After hike drinks and snacks on Sunday: "Akarana Eatery" which is located in the Hyundai Marine Sports centre, next to the Akarana Yacht club. If you are early at departure in the morning, you could buy a quick snack and coffee here. https://akarana.co.nz/akarana-eatery/
🚩RSVP questions:
(1) Please let me know your level of swimming ability?
(A) Confident to handle most coastal swimming
(B) Okay but a little cautious
(C) Not that confident, but willing to give it a try(2) Please give me your cell phone number in case I need to send everyone a text for a last minute change of plan. Note: Numbers will not be made public, and your number and rsvp answers are only visible to yourself and the organizer. No made up numbers please.
13 attendees - A$80.00
📌Base Camp Ohope (2 nights)
Ohope Christian Camp, 60 Pohutukawa Avenue, Ōhope, Ōhope, NZFrom the 27th, 28th February and the 1st of March (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we will be traveling to Ohope, which is near Whakatane, to explore three distinct hiking trails in the Whakatane-Ohope region. Our accommodation will be at 'Ohope camp' located in Ohope.
The preliminary itinerary involves driving to Ohope, approximately 320 kilometres, on Friday, with the option to hike the Lathams track for those who arrive early. On Saturday, we will hike on the Kohi Pt - Nga Tapuwae loop hike, which offers a diverse array of views, terrains, and vegetation. This route traverses native bush, farmland, urban areas, coastal paths, beach and clifftop tracks. We will conclude the day with a communal dinner at the main hall of the camp.
Lastly, on Sunday, we will hike along the coastline from Whakatane to the Rangitaiki Rivers before returning to Auckland. A moderate level of fitness and stamina is necessary, as there are some hills to ascend with steps. Regular participants will have priority, but newcomers are encouraged to join. As is customary with all overnight weekend hikes, if you intend to forgo the hike on Sunday, please refrain from RSVP'ing. Additionally, for future hikes, you may find it challenging to be included on the Going list.
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🚩 Summary of details:
📌Duration: Whole trip is 3 days and 2 nights;
📌Friday hike : Latham's track circuit 2 hours (5.7 km) - optional hike
📌Saturday hike : Kohi Pt -Nga Tapuwae loop 6.5-6.0 hours (16.2km)
📌Sunday hike : Whakatane to Rangitaiki Rivers 4hrs 15min return (14.5 km)
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale,
Friday: 2.5
Saturday: 3.5
Sunday: 3.0
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📌Maps:
Friday: Latham's track https://tinyurl.com/mdfpmz7w
Saturday: Kohi Pt -Nga Tapuwae loop https://tinyurl.com/54y8j3wj
Sunday: Whakatane to Rangitaiki Rivers https://tinyurl.com/23bjubp8
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🚩Time Guideline:
📌 Friday:
09:00 Leave Auckland (Approx)
13:00 Earliest time to check into Camp at Ohope
13:05 Arrive at Latham's track start
13:30 Start Latham's track loop (optional hike**)
15:30 Finish hike
19:35 Sunset
** Latham's track is optional and you can arrive any time on Friday📌Saturday:
07:08 Sunrise
08:00 Leave camp & start hike
14:15 Finish hike & arrive back at camp
18:30 Shared group dinner at the main hall
19:35 Sunset📌Sunday:
07:08 Sunrise
08:00 Organize a car shuttle - some drive to hike finish
08:30 Pack up Check out of Camp with remainder to Hike start
08:45 All at start - Whakatane to Rangitaiki Rivers hike
12:30 Finish hike
12:35 Snacks and drinks (TBA)
14:00 Drive back to Auckland
18:00 Approx arrive back in Auckland
19:35 Sunset
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🚩 These are the 4 important stopping points to note when driving:👉 1) Ohope Camp, 60 Pohutukawa Avenue, Ōhope
(Where we stay for 2 nights)
https://tinyurl.com/2uhdsuc5👉 2) Awakeri Hot Springs, 1363 State Highway 30, Awakeri
(Where we start & finish the Lathams track loop
https://tinyurl.com/3nh4p9wc👉 3) Bunyan Road, Coastlands
(Where we start & finish the Whakatane to Rangitaiki rivers hike)
https://tinyurl.com/ykhh6f2h👉 4) Rangitaiki river mouth, Hall Road, Thornton
(Where we finish the Whakatane to Rangitaiki rivers hike )
https://tinyurl.com/2kf87nux
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🚩 Friday : You can arrive at any time on Friday, however we have a short optional hike on Lantham's track at 13:30 for those that get to Whakatane early. We start at Awakeri springs car park, firstly walking along the road then onto the other end of Lathams track and eventually on to a trig with some good views. We then head back down to the car park and possibly have a swim in the Hot springs.🚩 Saturday hikes: This has a mixture of urban footpaths, native bush and coastal cliff. There should be a variety of views and terrain. There are some steep parts but there many steps, and the track is well maintained. If there is rain then it is likely to be slippery and muddy in certain places. Part of the coastal section should be done at low tide, otherwise we may get partially wet.
About 6.5-6.0 hours (16.2km)🚩 Sunday hike: The route start from the beach settlement known as Coastlands. We head towards the end of the Spit where there is a statue in commemoration of a Whakatane Mayor's wife. We then head North west towards the Rangitaiki River mouth where we will have a car shuttle arranged to take us back to start.
About 3 hours 30 minutes (11.2km)
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🚩Accommodation:
We stay for 2 nights at Ohope Christian camp, on Pohutukawa Avenue, Ohope. We have 6 cabins, and each cabin has three sets of bunks. Each bunk has a double bed below with one single above. So in each cabin there is room for 6 people. The cabin also has a self contained kitchen and an en suite bathroom. An air conditioner is in each cabin but it will cost $10 per night/day extra, which you can pay for on arrival. You will also need to bring your own bedding,- bottom sheet, duvet/sleeping bag and a pillow. We have cabins 5,6,7,8,9 and 10, and are all in the same building known as 'Lilburn' Lodge.For our group we will need to bring detergent, tea towels and dish cloths, medium size rubbish bags, and toilet paper rolls. Clean-up is also required prior to leaving, products and instructions are available at the camp.
The cost per night is $40 per night and includes use of the main self-catering kitchen/hall. Total cost is $80. If you plan on staying elsewhere then please do not RSVP.
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🚩 Payment: Make payment of $80. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Write "Ohope" and your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name. Please make payment by the by 13th February.
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🚩Check list of Gear: https://tinyurl.com/2eh2ajey
🚩 Metvuw rain forecast : https://goo.gl/9zpzs9
🚩 Just some hiking group etiquette: http://bit.ly/2ZmOmEG
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🚩Costs:
Passengers need to give to their driver:
$70 - if one passenger (based on 10c/km)
$50 each if 2 passengers (based on 10c/km)
$80 - 2 nights accommodation
$130 - $150 Approx Total🍔🍗🍷 Shared dinner on Saturday night:
On Saturday night we will have a shared dinner at the main hall, please bring a plate of food to share with everyone - thank you.
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🚩Please answer the 5 RSVP questions:(1) What is your transport situation for carpooling:
(A) have transport, can offer rides
(B) have transport, can drive if needed, but prefer to get a ride
(C) Have no transport, need a ride(2) So, carpooling can be assisted, which suburb (or part of Auckland) do you live in?
(3) Approximately what time do you think you will arrive at Ohope Camp on Friday?
(4) Would you be interested in joining the optional 2 hour Latham's track loop on Friday at 13:30?
(A) Yes
(B) Maybe
(C) No(5) Please give me your cell phone number in case I need to send everyone a text for a last minute change of plan or for car pooling purposes.
Note: Numbers will not be made public, and your number and rsvp answers are only visible to yourself and the organizer. They will also not be passed on, unless myself or someone in our group needs to contact you for car pooling etc. No made up numbers please.22 attendees
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