"Most people have loved ones such as family or friends who have suffered from neurological problems.
"So any contributions to this cause will in a positive way help to increase our understanding and approach to these conditions."
Ken, from Paraparaumu Beach, retired as a tutor at the Open Polytechnic late last month, and starts the long walk on Saturday.
The journey, which has been in the planning stages for about a year, will take him about five months he estimates.
Ken will be staying in his one-man tent, Department of Conservation huts, or youth hostels.
His Aarn bodypack will evenly distribute the estimated 18kg of weight comprising his tent, sleeping bag, mattress, food, water, clothes, topographical maps, route notes and more.
Foodwise, his wife Robyn will be couriering out wholesome food packages to designated drop-off points at youth hostels and other areas.
He will be carrying a handheld GPS which has the track details on it; Kapiti Coast District Council kindly donated some money towards its purchase.
And Spot NZ has loaned him a personal locator beacon which fires a ping every half an hour enabling people to know exactly where he is.
"So I've got bugger all chance of playing up," he joked.
There's no question it is a very physical undertaking but Ken has been doing a bit of training and goes into the adventure with years of fitness behind him especially distance running.
He's also got 500 business type cards, outlining his walk mission, which was kindly produced free of charge by Spectro Print, Paraparaumu.
Ken said it was a bit unusual that someone his age would be undertaking such a physical and mental challenge.
"The oldest person who has done the walk was 71, I read, but it's not a competition to be the oldest person to walk the trail."
To keep up to date with Ken's epic walk go to his Facebook page which is, Ken Walks Aotearoa, or if you want to make a donation to the cause go to the Givealittle website and search for Ken Walks Aotearoa
