Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast
Published by Abigail Hannah
Places & Travel
Society & Culture
Explore New Zealand with Aotearoa Adventures - your ultimate guide to travel, adventure, and the outdoors. Each week, host Abigail Hannah brings you inspiring stories from everyday people, covering tramping, vanlife, bikepacking, road trips, and so much more. Get beginner tips and practical advice for every adventure, from camping under the stars to multi-week expeditions. Whether you’re a local, on a working holiday, or visiting, this podcast will inspire you to explore New Zealand deeper and connect with nature.
David Haunschmidt is an emergency medicine doctor who moved from Scotland to New Zealand. Working around shift work, he shares how days walking DOC tracks turned into trail running, then ultramarathons. In just two years David found himself on podiums, with course records, an XTERRA world title and fastest known times on Great Walks. David talks about his first mountain race on the Karioi Trail near Raglan, running the Kepler, Milford and Rakiura tracks across one six-day summer down south. David doesn't run to win, but he does it because it's fun and adds more life to his days. He reflects on getting into running later in life, listening to his body through injury and the 1% improvements that add up. Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow David on Instagram: instagram.com/david_zebedee/ David's coaching and website: davidzebedee.com Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Aotearoa Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/aotearoa_adventures_
Penzy Dinsdale works in expedition medicine, from Antarctic ships to Everest Base Camp. She shares her 48-day traverse of Fiordland, the sequel to her 85-day Southern Alps journey, which together complete a full South Island traverse from Farewell Spit to Slope Point, a goal she has had since university. Penzy talks about packrafting the lakes and fiords with strangers-turned-friends she met online, crossing Centre Pass in 100kph winds, losing her inReach at Stevens Falls, and being invited aboard a yacht in Dusky Sound for a hot shower and crayfish. She reflects on building a career around adventure, setting a deadline to make a big trip happen, and still processing what finishing it means. Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Penzy on Instagram: instagram.com/penzyd/ Penzy's photography: southerlystormphotography.com Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Aotearoa Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/aotearoa_adventures_
Shalane Hopkins is an author, speaker and coach based in Otago, originally from Canada. In 2010 she walked the length of the country on Te Araroa, more than 3000 km from Cape Reinga to Bluff, before the trail had officially opened. She shares how she walked it with friend, a backpacker she had known only four days, carrying a map and compass instead of GPS, on a tight budget. Shalane talks about the culture shock of tramping, a week of rain through North Island farmland, a bout of giardia, and helping with the Christchurch earthquake recovery in 2011. Fifteen years on, she reflects on her memoir One Step at a Time, scaling a big goal back to the next step, and learning to stop making herself small. Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Shalane on Instagram: instagram.com/shalanehopkins Get Shalane's memoir One Step at a Time: shalanehopkins.com Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah Follow Aotearoa Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/aotearoa_adventures_
Nick Thompson is a squash court engineer from the UK who builds all-glass courts for events like the New Zealand Open. Since 2022 he has returned almost every year, tagging on extra days to explore New Zealand and leading him to run Great Walks in a single day. He shares about that first year, running the Tongariro Northern Circuit on brownies alone and landing in hospital with an electrolyte crash, plus the Kepler and Queenstown Marathon. Nick talks about a 60km day on the Abel Tasman, and returning in 2025 for a slower, family-led trip. He breaks down his solo Hump Ridge Track push, where a missed signpost added 21km to his day, finishing in the dark. He reflects on hitting the ultra wall late in the day and the raw, vulnerable headspace it brought. Nick share about how New Zealand quiets his mind and is a place he loves revisiting. Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can't wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/
To mark four years of Aotearoa Adventures, the tables turn and Abigail is interviewed. She shares her story, from growing up in India and moving to New Zealand at 18 to the 2020 South Island road trip in a 1990 rust box van that first opened her eyes to life on the road and made her world a little bigger. Abigail shares about struggling with depression, and rebuilding her identity. She talks about quitting her corporate job to build Feijoa Social, then the next two and a half years without a fixed address, moving between van life, overseas trips, house sits and kayak expeditions. She reflects on holding plans loosely, why a non-traditional life is possible at any stage of life, and the advice that made the Slow Paddle happen: put a date in the calendar and tell people. Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Aotearoa Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/aotearoa_adventures_ Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/
After four years and exactly 182 weekly episodes (plus a few bonuses) we are taking a pause. Since 2022, every single Friyay without fail (minus Christmas and New Years), a new epiosde has landed in your feed. Adventures from the tops of mountains, remote coastlines, hidden trails, icy glaciers, and deep fiords. You have shown up and listened week after week - from your cars, your trails, your gyms, your desks - and that means the world. We are stepping back to build something bigger, better, and more sustainable for the long run, because this show and this epic community deserve that. While we are away, we would love your help shaping what comes next. Take two minutes to fill in our listener survey, tell us what you love, what you want more of, and what would make Aotearoa Adventures unmissable for you. Everyone who completes the survey goes in the draw to win a $150 Prezzy Card (Ts & Cs apply). Fill in the survey here: https://forms.gle/qZs4WSDvvY9CSRRp7 And til we're back - keep bingeing past episodes, re-listen to your favourite stories, send me guest recommendations, leave a review and tell all your mates about the show.The stories are not done. The adventures are very much still happening. We will see you on the other side. Until then, keep adventuring :) Abigail In the meantime, come hang out on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Or send me an email hello@abigailhannah.nz (miss you already)
Host Abigail and husband Isaac are reflect on the last section of the Slow Paddle sea kayak expedition from Cape Reinga to Tauranga. They share a day-by-day breakdown and decision making leading up to the end of the journey, challenges encountered, favourite moments on the water and what's coming next. Listen to Episode 162 and 178 for previous Slow Paddle episodes. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us. 👉 DONATE: givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/slowpaddle Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Isaac on Instagram: instagram.com/isaacjnaylor/ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=JON334jG4QU Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Tyla grew up a gymnast, spending long hours inside - and found her freedom outdoors, especially underwater. Now based in Wellington, she shares how a childhood love of the ocean turned into a career as a scuba instructor, and why diving became her way to explore, teach, and slow things down. Tyla shares the technical side of diving, covering gear, qualifications, costs and options in New Zealand. She also breaks down fears like sharks, deep water and claustrophobia - and how knowledge, exposure and good training can help those fears. Alongside scuba, Tyla also loves riding motorbikes and reflects on how both underwater and on a bike, you have to be so in tune with your surroundings. Her advice is practical, calm, and grounded - especially for people curious about scuba or motorbikes, but unsure where to start. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Tyla on Instagram: instagram.com/tyla_bow/ instagram.com/tyla_bow_arts/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Alice is a tramper, blogger, speech & language therapist and mum, based in Southland. She shares about a special trip with her Dad to Cascade Saddle in Mt Aspiring National Park. Waiting for a rare bluebird weather window, they tackled the demanding route in late summer. It involved a relentless climb, exposed scrambling with huge drop-offs, and having to stash gear in long-drops away from kea. Alice shares she special moments shared with her Dad on this trip, the sweeping views of the Dart Glacier and Tititea Mt Aspiring at sunset. Alice also reflects on tramping through different life stages, levelling up her outdoors skills through courses and joining a tramping club. We discuss the realities of social media and mass tourism and the responsibilities that come with travelling and sharing wild places online. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Alice on Instagram: instagram.com/alice.adventuring aliceadventuring.com/ Cascade Saddle Route: what you need to know to climb safely Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Daniel Mauden is a German-born traveller and photographer, who now lives full time on the road with his partner Dinah. He shares about childhood family trips, volunteering stints in the US, India, and the Bahamas, and the spontaneous decision to move to Aotearoa. Daniel worked in Hamilton for several years, squeezing weekend adventures around full-time work, before leaving his job and freelancing as a content creator. Daniel talks about places he keeps returning to - Cape Palliser, Castlepoint, French Pass - and why lighthouses, remote coastlines, sunset, are his favourite places to explore and photograph in New Zealand. He shares openly about the trade-offs of van life, from tight spaces to constant decision-making, alongside the freedom of waking up beside the ocean or hiking before sunrise. Daniel shares his perspective on slowing down and revisiting places deeply, instead of chasing checklists Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Daniel on Instagram: instagram.com/roamdates Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Host Abigail and husband Isaac are halfway into a 2 month sea kayak expedition. They share about preparation for the expedition, waiting out weather, their favourite sections of coastline, what they loved most and what has been challenging. Get an inside look into a self-supported sea kayak expedition in New Zealand, and get inspired to get outside and go do that THING you've been dreaming of! Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Charlotte grew up outdoors, studied outdoor education, and has spent recent years with new pursuits - from canyoning and whitewater to learning to packraft. She shares about an epic South Island summer trip with her boyfriend, that was shaped by weather windows, flexibility and spontaneous decisions. After buying new packrafts just days before their adventure, their first trip to Lake Crucible which combined jet boating, hiking, camping and packrafting among icebergs. The trip finishes with wet gear, hitchhiking, and the long walk back to the road - the unglamorous side of river journeys. Charlotte has solid advice for packrafting beginners, where to find trip reports, check flows and also knowing when to walk away. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Charlotte on Instagram: instagram.com/sunshinewithcharlotte/ Follow Charlotte on TikTok: tiktok.com/@sunshinewithcharlotte www.packraftingtrips.nz Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Hannah Whittaker grew up loving travel and now based in Auckland, she shares how exploring New Zealand on weekends, rather than chasing big overseas trips, reshaped how she thinks about adventure, time, and comparison. She shares about her favourite Northland spots, from the Bay of Islands and Urupukapuka Island to Duke’s Nose, Kerikeri, Mangawhai Heads, and Langs Beach. Hannah also shares practical tips for visiting Northland - where to base yourself, campsites, standout walks, access to the islands and why Northland suits both short trips and longer, slower travel. Hannah also shares how hosting monthly community hikes grew out of loneliness in her twenties, and why creating spaces for people to connect outdoors matters. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Hannah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes2home Bay of Islands summer guide notestohome.com Get Hannah's Rexby Map Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
After up on a farm in rural Waikato, Lois Baldwin travelled and lived around the world through her 20s and 30s, raising a family overseas. It wasn't until her 40s that she started tramping and she's now gone on to complete all New Zealand's Great Walks. Lois loves bringing people together for tramping and has planned several family hikes with her kids and grandkids, including Abel Tasman and Waikaremoana with as many as 17 people! After first hiking Lake Waikaremoana in 1999, she returned in 2025 as a family, sharing about logistics, booking, transport, water taxis and what to expect if you're planning the tramp. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Zeb Harris @backcountrykiwi is a fast packer, trail runner, and YouTuber. He explains what fast packing is and how he loves to see how much ground he can cover with a light pack and a tight timeframe. Zeb shares about a weekend adventure - a 2 day fast pack of the Traverse–Sabine Circuit in Nelson Lakes National Park. Running on a few hours sleep, he covered 50km on the first day, with side-trips to bag huts along the way. He talks about stomach issues, a foot injury and how he pushes through when it gets mentally and physically tough. Zeb breaks down his gear, sleep system, poles, packs and has practical tips for anyone curious about refining their gear for tramping or fastpacking. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Zeb on Instagram: instagram.com/backcountrykiwi Subscribe on YouTube Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Te Aroha Hohaia grew up moving around the North Island, lived in a caravan as a child, and didn’t discover tramping until adulthood - starting with a summit climb of Taranaki. She shares how that first mentally and physically demanding experience reshaped her relationship with the maunga, leading to repeated climbs and a deeper connection with Taranaki. After getting hooked on tramping she decided to walk sections of Te Araroa, choosing autumn and spring windows until a breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy disrupted her seasonal plans. Te Aroha shares her favourite moments from the trail, walking with her mokopuna and adapting plans to fit in extra sections. She shares the benefits of section walking Te Araroa and the joy of returning to a trail and having something to look forward to each season. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Ben Boland is a born-and-bred Kiwi who didn’t grow up loving the outdoors - and once weighed close to 190kg. He shares how getting active in his 30s led him to walking tracks he never imagined tackling, starting with a humbling first Tongariro Alpine Crossing done mid–weight loss and with minimal planning. Since then he's done the Tongariro Crossing and Tongariro Northern Circuit several times. He breaks down the track in details from shuttles and direction choices to points of interest like the Devil's Staircase, Red Crater, the Emerald Lakes. Ben shares more details about the 3-day Tongariro Northern Circuit, a Great Walk that covers vastly unique terrain on each day of the hike. Ben shares advice from personal experience on when to turn back, winter conditions, gear choices, hiking poles, and carrying better food. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Ben on Instagram: instagram.com/ben.outthere/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Sagar and Ami moved to New Zealand separately 10 years ago; then after years of saving and planning, decided to take an "adult gap year" to travel the world. Coming from India, they share the cultural mindset shifts and safety nets required to leave their stable careers and the intentional steps they took before leaving their jobs, like buying a house and getting New Zealand citizenship. Now, they live full-time in their van, Wanda Bee, exploring the South Island while balancing content creation with travel logistics. They share how Nelson Tasman surprised them with how much there is to explore, and their favorite spots like Wharariki Beach, Te Waikoropupū Springs, Rāwhiti Cave and the adrenaline of tackling the new Tākaka Hill via ferrata. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow @sagarandami on Instagram: instagram.com/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Joel Buckley is an outdoor instructor who kayaked around the North Island solo and self-supported. He talks through how the idea formed early, what finally pushed him to commit, and how little he really understood about the scale of the challenge at the start. He shares about long paddle days, rough West Coast weather windows, gear failures and well as highs - like paddling with a baby dolphin in the Coromandel and the generosity of strangers. Joel had 67 paddle days in his 122-day expedition, and shares how daily distances ranged from 30km to 80km, and how he decided when it was safe to paddle. He also had a few close calls, including severe dehydration and a near miss with a ship. Joel shares practical tips for anyone that wants to start sea kayaking or begin longer expeditions. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us. 👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Joel on Instagram: instagram.com/jtbuckley_outdoors Email Joel: joelbuckley@gmail.com Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
Verity Jackson has been tramping across New Zealand for decades and joining a tramping club opened up off track travel, navigation skills and lifelong friendships. Actively blogging and documenting her tramps online, Verity has bagged over 350 huts, a mix of easy-accessible hut and remote bivvys. She started 2025 with a goal to bag 25 huts, but halfway through the year, Verity was diagnosed with vulva cancer. Surgery, recovery and uncertainty followed, but tramping became a way to rebuild confidence and keep moving forward. Verity reflects on resilience, the healing power of the outdoors, caring for New Zealand’s huts, and why she no longer puts adventures off for "someday". She finished the year doubling her hug bagging goal, despite the challenges along the way. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Verity on Instagram: instagram.com/nzhikingadventures www.nzhikingadventures.com Buy trail cloth: www.nzhikingadventures.com/category/all-products Bag your huts: hutbagger.co.nz Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide
