Give and take on Te Araroa
This is a very special point and makes a big part of the hike. The Trail Angels in New Zealand are absolutely incredible. They offer hikers sometimes a patch of land to camp on, sometimes a roof over their heads, sometimes a warm meal, sometimes a beer, sometimes a warm shower or just a good conversation. The loving gestures are countless and it really shows the beauty in the human race!
Don't lose sight of your goal
HYOH means Hike your own hike which means not to be influenced too much by other hikers and to enjoy your own hike.
Some annoying fellow hikers
Sandflys are not only found near sand as the name suggests. They are more or less the Scottish Mitches of New Zealand. These little mosquitoes are incredibly troublesome. The bites still bite after days and sometimes weeks. They are very present on both the North and South Island. The South Island, however, is significantly more populated by the pesky creatures and almost continuously until the end. Ideally, you can cover your entire body with clothes and use a mosquito head net. Food is best…
Be prepared and don't risk anything!
The river crossings range from ankle-high to chest-high in some cases. It is important to check the tide (water level) at the time of crossing for some crossings, if it is near the sea. The sea is constantly moving and sometimes the river is 50cm deep and due to the changed level 6 hours later 150cm high. So always check the tide and time!
