Daughter Ivy Wallis and mother Hannah Dickie about to begin their 3000km journey on Te Araroa Trail. Photo / Supplied
Daughter Ivy Wallis and mother Hannah Dickie about to begin their 3000km journey on Te Araroa Trail. Photo / Supplied
A mother and daughter duo are walking the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa Trail to reconnect after years of living on different continents.
The pair lived in Mount Maunganui for many years before mum Hannah Dickie decided to move overseas and taught at international schools in China and Thailand for 10 years. Daughter Ivy Wallis moved to London to work as a chef on super yachts.
Dickie left her job and Wallis took six months off to complete the trail, which starts at the northern cape of Te Rerenga Wairua and finishes at the southern bluff of Motupōhue. Hikers traverse high mountain passes, volcanoes, sweeping plains, walk alongside meandering rivers, and through bustling cities and rural towns.
The trail claims to unveil the unique beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes and communities.
The journey can take up to five months to complete and is one of the world’s most diverse long-distance walking trails.
Dickie and Wallis began their 3000km journey at Cape Reinga Lighthouse on October 29.
On day one, they walked along the beach, up sand dunes, over streams and through bush while battling winds, only to arrive at their campsite at Twilight Camp to be greeted by pouring rain and thunderstorms during the night.
Mother Hannah Dickie and daughter Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied
“On the first night at Twilight Campsite we met our ‘trail family’, which are fellow hikers you see each night at the campsites along Ninety Mile Beach,” she said.
“We formed a special bond with ours, started a WhatsApp group and keep in contact, every now and then we meet up which is awesome.”
On day two, Wallis nearly lost Dickie as she had taken the wrong turn at a junction and turned up an hour and a half later.
As they make their journey down the North Island, they have come across many other hikers from around the world.
Every day they walk for five to 12 hours – depending on the terrain – and during that time they listen to music, audiobooks and podcasts, or just enjoy the peace.
Hannah Dickie hitchhikes to Kerikeri. Photo / Supplied
Wallis said they sometimes grew a bit sick of each other during the long walks.
“I’m a human snail,” Dickie said.
Long days of walking in mixed terrain and weather left them exhausted by the time they hit the hay - but they’ve become quick at putting up their tents and their blow-up mattresses.
Hannah Dickie taking a break from walking through Waitangi Forest. Photo / Supplied
On day 30 of their journey, Dickie reactivated an old Achilles injury after slipping down a muddy bank.
They decided to take a five-day break visiting friends in Mount Maunganui to allow Dickie to get physio and let her Achilles heal so they could continue their journey.
Dickie and Wallis said they hope to have the trip done by April, however, they said Dickie’s injury may end up holding them back.
Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied
Dickie and Wallis said they had both been thinking about taking the trip for a while and when Dickie took the year off from working, Wallis thought it would be a good idea to tag along and do the trip together.
Their favourite part of their trip has been meeting people along the way.
“We’ve heard a lot of stories from people,” said Wallis.
“We’ve met a lot of people and learned some really great tips.”
Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied
When asked whether they would recommend this experience to others, the pair said “Yes, definitely.”
