May 2023 Newsletter - Waiheke Walking Festival

by Kate Michell | June 1, 2023

FESTIVAL DATES: 22 October – 5 November

WALK RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT…drum roll please!

We are thrilled to release our 2023 Te Ara Hura walk dates: Mon 23rd – Fri 27th October

Join fun, fit local guides for this five day, nearly 100km Te Ara Hura walking adventure. This is the 8th year that we’ve offered the Te Ara Hura walk during the Festival.

It’s a tough 5 days – you will be walking 6 to 8 hours at a moderate pace to complete approximately 20km per day, so a very good level of walking fitness is required. Think half marathon every day, for 5 days!

Want to know more? Here’s a brief outline of the days …

Day 1 – Monday 23 October – Oneroa to Onetangi
A gentle first day as you get to know your guides and each other. Starting in the bustling village of Oneroa we walk accross gorgeous beaches, hike up to enjoy coastal vistas, and make our way through several regenerating reserves on the stunning north coast of our island.

Day 2 – Tuesday 24 October – Onetangi to Orapiu
Continuing clockwise, this eastern section takes in plenty of quiet coastal roads. On our way to Man O’ War Bay, we’ll be treated to a tour as we cross private land through Rarowhara, Pie Melon Bay.

Day 3 – Wednesday 25 October – Orapiu to the Batch
Today is the tougher bush section of Te Ara Hura, with absolutely spectacular views and lots of ups and downs, heading west past Passage Rock and Awaawaroa towards Trig Hill. This long day also includes the notorious “rope-assisted climb”. Fun on a dry day – challenging on a wet one!

Day 4 – Thursday 26 October – the Batch to Blackpool
Descend through fabulous Whakanewha Regional Park, through eclectic Rocky Bay, and take on the Okoka Bay hills and Te Whau coastal track. Experience breathtakingly beautiful views in all directions, and expect a little coastal scramble here and there.

Day 5 – Friday 26 October – Blackpool to Oneroa
Walk the headlands either side of Mātiatia Bay. Truly stunning coastal views in all directions. Includes a little rock hopping around the Church Bay track section and ending back where we started 5 days ago, at Oneroa.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a fee of $199 for this walk to cover shuttle costs where required, shared platters at Batch winery at the end of Day 3, and a few surprise drinks and nibbles along the way.

Bookings will open 10am Monday 3rd July 2023

What should I be doing NOW to prepare for the Te Ara Hura walk?

We put this question to our amazing Ambassador Sarah Gloyer (Registered Personal Trainer, Lydiard Foundation Running & Endurance Coach, Pilates Instructor)

‘The Te Ara Hura over 5 days is equivalent to walking 5 back to back off-road half marathons on sometimes tricky, technical terrain. Participants should start now to build up their endurance over the next 5 and a half months as well as do some strengthening and balance work.

For those who live in the city, the sooner you can start practicing on trails the better. For those who live in flat areas, find some hills or stairs to work on strength.

Build up weekly volume of walking slowly, as well as duration of longer walks.

Start practicing with a day pack. Invest in good socks and footwear. Adopt a rain or shine walking attitude and invest in a good seam sealed jacket and waterproof pants. It’s never bad weather, just the wrong gear’.

We’ll also be sharing Sarah’s amazing 9 week training programmes and other tips to get festival fit and ready….watch this space!

Photo credit: Sarah Gloyer

’Hola and Buen Camino’ from our Festival Manager – Vicki Angland

Vicki is 25 days into her 40 day walk across Spain on the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Here’s some words from Vicki :

The journey is wonderful, and though my feet are sore and some days are hard, the reward is being surrounded by beauty at every step. That beauty comes by way of not only the scenery, in fact, when you walk across an entire country, not all is pretty. The beauty is in the overwhelming ancient streets, Churches and buildings, the camaraderie of other walkers who become friends, the stories shared over fabulous Rioja in the village squares in the late afternoon, the commitment to following the yellow arrows, the lure of the magical destination of Santiago, and sharing the journey with my kind, curious and inspirational partner.

This is my third Camino, well, I love walking! On a practical note, there are many more ‘pilgrims’ than 10 years ago, but the Way itself is the same, and I continue to meet people having an amazing experience … there’s just a little more logistics required. The magic is still here, following the path that’s been walked by millions of people for over 1000 years.

Did you know?

Go Media, one of our amazing Festival Supporting Partners, have secured Mt. Smart Stadium naming rights! The Stadium will be known as Go Media Stadium Mt Smart which is the home of the Warriors and Moana Pasifika teams.

“As a New Zealand company that backs New Zealanders across Aotearoa like no other – through sports, arts, music, comedy and culture – we are proud to put our name to such an iconic stadium. We are looking forward to using our networks and leveraging our shared passion for events and entertainment together” – Go Media Managing Director Mike Grey.

Congrats from us all here at the Walking Festival!

We are excited to announce that 18-24 June is National Volunteer Week! This is a time to recognise and celebrate the hardwork and dedication of millions of volunteers across th country who make a difference in their communities every day!

We want to express our gratitude to all the volunteers out there – your contributions do not go un-noticed! Whether you volunteer once a week or once a year, your actions inspire others to make a change and help to create a better world.

So let’s celebrate National Volunteer Week together by taking the time to appreciate all the wonderful and amazing things volunteers do for our communities. Let’s continue to encourage and support each other in volunteering efforts now and beyond National Volunteer Week.

…and what better time is there to join our amazing group of volunteers?

If you’re thinking of becoming a volunteer our next social walk is Sunday 18th June where we will do the stunning short(ish) but beautiful Palm Beach to Onetangi. This fabulous walk takes you along the undulating northern coast that links beautiful trails and quiet roads as you dip in and out of the bays and coves.

If you would like to know more please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you! info@waihekewalkingfestival.org.

To email us CLICK HERE

Happy walking everyone,
Your Festival Team
Vicki, Kate, Tess, Linda, Mandy, Judy, Sarah, Olly and David

Our much loved and valued Festival Sponsors. We couldn’t run the Festival without you! Thank you.

We are proudly Kauri Dieback free on Waiheke Island, and the Waiheke Walking Festival is committed to keeping it that way. Always brush and disinfect your shoes on arrival at the Kauri Dieback station at the Matiatia ferry terminal.

All walkers will also do the same at the start and end of each walk.

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