KEY POINTS:
Determined Wellington student Emma Daken has just seven more walking days in her quest to become the youngest Kiwi to walk the length of New Zealand - and raise money for cystic fibrosis research.
Daken will spend New Year's Eve in Dunedin before the heading off on the last leg of her journey. She is scheduled to stride into Bluff next week.
It has been an at times painful experience for Daken, who turned 20 on the walk.
She has suffered shin splints, blisters, a virus, back pain and has almost worn through three pair of shoes since leaving Cape Reinga on November 1.
"I am feeling good and I have no injuries. I am looking forward to getting into Bluff next week. But it's been a great walk and I have been overwhelmed with people's generosity along the way."
The Victoria University student has raised more than $25,000 on her Cape to the Bluff walk to raise awareness and research funds for cystic fibrosis.
She gave up her Victoria University holiday break so she could complete the arduous walk and has been walking marathon distances most days.
- NZPA
