TE IKA-A-MĀUI

Te Ika-a-Māui translates as “the fish of Māui” where, according to Māori legend, it is thought that the North Island of New Zealand was a large fish that was caught and hauled to the surface of the ocean by ancestral pacific voyagers. When looking at the map, it is easy to see how the topography somewhat resembles the shape of a stingray. The tail, also known as Northland, is well known for its stunning coastlines, good surf and dive spots rich in marine life, and is the starting point for the Te Araroa Trail. A couple of days staying at a friend’s shack in the Bay of Islands allowed us to get to know this beautiful region thoroughly. Everything from twinkling glowworms deep in a hidden cave system, sand boarding down humongous sand dunes to trail running the well known Cape Brett track made me fully appreciate the beauty of this island. The novelty of falling asleep to the sound of kiwis calling in the night is something I’ll never forget along with the elation of being surrounded by thousands of fish diving on the world famous Poor Knights Marine Reserve.

Despite sacrificing Hobbiton for a surf at Raglan, the Lord of the Rings fix was made up for completing the Northern Circuit of Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom) and the Tongariro Crossing. Some mountains in Aotearoa, including Tongariro are given human status, and carry large amounts of mana (spiritual power), therefore meaning the summits are sacred and should be avoided. On top of this, this circuit involved crossing three active volcanoes…something that was never far from our minds with the constant smell of sulphur and warnings not to drink water from rivers or lakes. A few epic sunrises and bluebird days reminded me how much I love New Zealand’s alpine environment.