OK, here we go…

For some time now I have wanted to do something different, something new and exciting. Something I could reflect back on as a personal accomplishment.

In 2014/15 I completed a MBA Diploma and had my third child and first son, Luke. It was a great feeling to celebrate these milestones. Work was going well, and I felt satisfied. Now, as I head rapidly towards my 40th Birthday (July 2018) I want to do something new, I want to itch a scratch to achieve another personal success.

As I have been focusing on my general health (something I have largely ignored for the previous 38 years!), I thought of doing something that would involve exercise and I had the idea to walk the entire length of New Zealand, my birth country (I live in Sydney, Australia currently). So, I took to google and discovered the Te Araroa trail https://www.teararoa.org.nz

Weekend run through the St Ives Cascades Trail

I spent a lot of time researching and studying the trail, watching YouTube videos of other hikers experiences, reading and researching the TA Facebook pages, and the more I read, the more I found myself wanting to do this hike.

Not having any recent experience (I did hike around Mt Egmont / Taranaki in my teens, but nothing serious) I felt that Te Araroa would be a good hike which would give me my personal satisfaction of achieving something big, but also would be safe and worthwhile experience.

So, I sought the permission and blessing of my family – My wife was very supportive and we have started talking about how they will stay in NZ for the first month and meet me in the major city parts of the trip. And now I have just notified by Business Partner seeking his approval and support! So, I have this, the planning will start in earnest and I will share more information about the planning as we build up to my planned start date of 6th December 2017 – Cape Reinga, North Island of New Zealand!

Cheers,
Matt