What we’re about
"Hiking Aotearoa" is for people who love the outdoors. We go hiking, walking, mountaineering, camping, skiing, kayaking, rafting and rock climbing etc. We love meeting new people so come join us in the great outdoors of New Zealand (Aotearoa).
The majority of our events are day hikes in bush (forest), parks, streams, urban walks and along the coast in the Auckland region. We also venture further afield on weekend camping or lodge trips, especially in summer, and also we have multi-day hikes through out New Zealand (Aotearoa).
Our hikes vary in difficulty, some do not require any previous experience, some are more challenging. You can learn all about climbing/alpine activities with our experienced organisers. This is a great opportunity to see/photograph some of the most amazing landscapes New Zealand (Aoteaora) has to offer.
Safety of the group is of utmost importance to us. All our organisers have many years of experience and carry walkie talkies and a PLB where necessary. Of course with nature, conditions can change quickly, and you must come prepared and always follow the organisers instructions.
If you wish to make a donation 06-0145-0782760-00
Follow us on Instagram: Hiking Aotearoa Instagram
"Hiking Aotearoa" is a great way to see one of the world's best cities/countries. We look forward to meeting you.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 📌North Crater, Mt Tongariro (2 nights)Tongariro Alpine Crossing - Mangatepopo Car Park, Manawatu-Wanganui
This excursion spans two nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) to the North Crater of Mt Tongariro. We commence our journey from the Mangatepopo road end, spending one night at the Mangatepopo hut. On the second day, we intend to ascend the eastern ridge of Mt Tongariro, reaching the summit before proceeding to the North Crater, a vast flat area featuring a small crater at its center. Our plan is to camp in proximity to or within this crater. On the following day, we will head east towards Mt Rotopaunga and subsequently to Pt 1850, completing a full circuit of Blue Lake. We will then reconnect with the Tongariro crossing, leading us back to the road end and car park.
Participants are required to own or rent crampons, ice axe, helmet, appropriate boots, and a tent. If you lack this equipment, then some of the gear is available for rent from me. For those with limited alpine experience, there is still an opportunity to participate and acquire fundamental mountaineering skills during this trip. A general level of good fitness is essential, along with the appropriate gear to ensure the safety of yourself and others. You must be capable of running at least 5 kilometers on flat terrain without stopping.
Priority will be given to regular participants and those who have completed more than three hikes with 'Hiking Aotearoa'. If you are slow or unfit, this event may not be suitable for you. Additionally, it is crucial to be organized to avoid delaying the group while you prepare your gear. Being ready when required is important, and priority will be given to regular participants over those who only occasionally join Meetup hikes.
🚩 Summary of details:
📌 Duration: Whole trip is 3 days and 2 nights
📌 Friday : From Mangatepopo car park hike for one hour to the hut
📌 Saturday : 3.5 hour ascent (about 6.5km)
📌 Sunday : 6 hours (about 14.0km)
📌 Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale, about 4.0 - 5.0 (overall)
📌 Max attendees: 12 people
📌 Map of route: https://tinyurl.com/3s222v93📌Friday:
After arriving at Mangetepopo Road end we hike about 45-60 minutes to Mangetepopo hut. Arriving early will increase our chances of getting a bunk, as this hut is very busy even in winter. Snow at this altitude should be unlikely.📌Saturday:
We leave Mangetepopo hut, and climb up the West ridge of Mt Tongariro. You will need at some point, to fit on your crampons on this ridge. We reach the summit of Mt Tongariro and then traverse north to the North crater, where there is a large flat area and a small crater gouged out. We may camp here or some other place sheltered from the wind.📌Sunday:
We pack up our camp on North crater and head towards Blue lake and Rotopaunga peak to make a circuit around the lake before dropping down to the Tongariro crossing and back down to the car park where we started.🚩 These are the 2 important stopping points to note.:
👉 1) Tokoroa Cosmopolitan Club, 275 Balmoral Drive, Tokoroa
(Where we have Friday lunch)
https://tinyurl.com/2fhdw8es👉 2) Mangatepopo Road Car Park,
(Where we park our cars, also start and finish the hike)
https://tinyurl.com/sw9u9mmn📌 Other information:
🚩 Metvuw rain forecast : https://goo.gl/9zpzs9
🚩 Just some hiking group etiquette: http://bit.ly/2ZmOmEG📌Time line (Guide only)
🚩Friday:
09:00 Suggested time to leave Auckland*
11:45 Arrive at Tokoroa Cosmopolitan Club & have lunch
12:45 Continue driving
14:45 Arrive at Mangatepopo Road end Car park
15:30 Arrive at Mangatepopo hut
17:27 Sunset
* Drivers will need to determine what time to leave Auckland so that they arrive in Tokoroa at 11:45, by using Google maps and allowing for passenger picks ups, stops etc.🚩Saturday:
07:20 Sunrise
08:00 Leave Mangatepopo hut
11:30 Approximately arrive at Mt Tongariro summit
12:45 Approximately arrive at North crater camp site
14:00 Finish setting up tents and camp site.
14:15 Explore North crater an surrounding area
17:28 Sunset🚩Sunday:
07:21 Sunrise
08:30 Pack up camp site and complete route
11:00 Approximately arrive at Red crater
14:30 Back at car park
17:00 Arrive Tirau for snacks and drinks (TBA)
18:00 Leave back to Auckland
20:00 Approx arrive back in AucklandMangatepopo hut: We stay here on Friday night in this 20 bunk hut with gas heating. You can not book in winter and you are required to bring a Green ticket. It is a very busy hut even in winter. The hut has phone reception.
🚩Costs:
$100 if a car passenger (Based on 15 cents/km)
$25 (Green ticket) Mangetepopo hut
$125 Total (Not including gear hire and food etc)🚩 Check list of items to bring: https://tinyurl.com/5n7h6jyv
🚩 Tips for Alpine camps: https://tinyurl.com/yjdh7zhj
🚩 Climbing gear rental: https://tinyurl.com/3af9w94c
🚩 Mangatepopo hut: https://tinyurl.com/ssh8d364
🚩 Some basic mountaineering skills:
Using crampons https://goo.gl/zUbDe7 Please practice taking them on and off, either in Auckland, or at the hut when we arrive on Friday. Make sure they are adjusted and fit tightly, before you leave on the climb.
Remember loose crampons are dangerous. Stiff soled boots are best for mountaineering. Although for ‘approach’ climbs Grivel G10 crampons have some flexibility for the more less stiff soled boots. Front pointing with crampons will require proper stiff soled mountaineering boots. If you do not have a pair then these can be hired from ‘Living Simply’ in Newmarket.Kicking steps: https://goo.gl/nkzbsr - There are times when you do not have your crampons attached, so you will need to know how to climb without them.
Using an ice axe - handling an ice axe, cutting steps, and the self arrest position, are all important skills, especially on the steeper slopes. You will need to be skilled enough at the self arrest position before climbing on to the steeper and icy gradients, as it will be critical to your safety.
Self arrest: https://tinyurl.com/3wzj2tf8
Self Belay: https://tinyurl.com/yzwfknhx🚩 Payment: There is no payment for this event, as the hut is not bookable in winter. However you will need to buy a green ticket for a one night stay. If you decide not to join, then please change your RSVP status immediately, otherwise you will block someone else, in addition it is courteous action for everyone else. Thank you.
❌❗ A postponement will happen, if the weather is poor, high avalanche risk, or volcanic activity, and a new date will be set to 15th-17th August. Be prepared for a possible change of date.
🚩 RSVP questions: https://tinyurl.com/mryvhkft
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