Who will I encounter when tramping in New Zealand

You are likely to encounter a wide variety of people as you make your way along Te Araroa, not all of whom will be tramping the trail. Few of the tracks, trails and routes you will be following are Te Araroa specific. They are part of the much wider trail network we have in NZ, most of which you will probably never visit.

Here are some groups of people you are likely to meet in your travels.

No-one, that's right buddy just you!

Yep, you could quite conceivably go days on end without coming across another soul. Less likely now the trail is growing in popularity, but at least 50% of the time I find myself alone in huts. So will you.You should remember that New Zealand is 30% larger than the UK with about a tenth of the population.

Its empty (relatively speaking) out here.

This is fine if you don't mind being by yourself and you are a capable tramper. If that does not sound like you, then brother, you got problems....

Squirt, the Old Man and Stinky Pete: Te Araroa hikers

You will most likely encounter other folk walking the trail either as through or section hikers. This is especially likely if you are walking north bound as most TA hikers go from North to South and need to cross your path. There will be some sections where you will only encounter other TA trampers, the tracks are just not used by anyone else. Examples of this would be the sections between the Rakaia and Wanaka, almost all of these trails are only walked by TA hikers with the very occasional Kiwi being the other small group.

Gerald, Kiwiscout and James, TA 2014 from; Kiwiscout Walks Aotearoa

If you are lucky, you will meet other TA trampers who will be happy to continue the trail with you as a group, the biggest group I've struck so far was 12 all moving together.More common are groups of 2-5 walking together.

Look for other TA trampers in the rest towns like Wanganui, St Arnauld, Hanmer, Arthurs Pass, Wanaka etc. they stand out like a sore thumb.

Sven, Yuki, Greta, Jakob and Robbo the Aussie...

Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Yōkoso...Welcome, come on in....

New Zealand is an overseas visitors paradise, especially for those interested in the outdoors. There would hardly be a spot anywhere in the country that some backpacker has not visited.  I have spent time in huts with people from 27 different countries at one time or another. Language may be a problem but make sure you talk to people from other countries, you would be surprised how similar we all are under that cultural baggage we carry around...

The outdoor "weekend warrior"

This group comprises everyday Kiwi trampers/climbers out for a day or multi day tramp/ascent. You will probably not encounter too many of these folks. No offence to you, but they generally visit places where people are not;  for the most part; hard arsed bush on the West Coast of the South Island, the Kaimais, Ruahines, Kaimaniwas, Southern Alps and Fiordland.

A typical group of kiwi trampers from the WTMC

Kiwi trampers can sometimes seem a bit standoffish at first, don't be offended, it is just our nature.  We will eventually warm up and you will find most of us interesting and generous to a fault.I make a point of talking to anyone I see on the trail or at a hut because you never know what excellent advice, information or story they might have to pass on. You should do the same.

We will often give you a ride to civilisation if our paths cross at the right time. Don't be afraid to ask.

Hunters and Collectors

New Zealand has a long history of hunting, trapping and fishing so you are quite likely to meet Kiwi hunters and anglers on the Trail. I do the odd spot of fishing myself. There is a strained relationship between trampers and hunters in NZ but some of the most interesting people I have meet while tramping have been hunters.

Its all about the person, not the sport they engage in.

Not just men hunting in New Zealand...

Just show a bit of understanding for each other and you will have no problems. And you might just score a whiskey, tasty trout (best cooked in a bit of tin foil with a sprinkle of salt and squeeze of lemon) or venison back steak for your troubles...

We do this for a job...

You will almost certainly encounter workers from the Department of Conservation, or DOC as we refer to them in NZ. They can be New Zealanders or volunteers from other countries depending on the role. Most are really cool and totally passionate about the environment. You are most likely to encounter them at the various DOC offices, as hut wardens and occasionally in the field.

Some can seem overly officious, especially if they believe you are doing something wrong. Hey, I might be slightly peeved if I turn up at a hut (which is also my home) and find mud, food and wet gear all over the place, you would too! These women and men work hard at their jobs, and it is not always an easy job, so again show them some respect.

DOC Ranger at work

Just take them as you find them and remember, they will most likely be the first people coming to look for you if you get into difficulties.

For a happy life, pay your hut fees!

No, I mean it, pay your hut fees!

There is nothing more likely to get a DOC hut warden (or a kiwi tramper) riled up than turning up, using and abusing a hut and then not paying for it. A six month DOC Hut pass is $90, that is nothing compared to the $600 pack and $2-3000 worth of other gear you are carrying.
Pay up.