Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast

Benjamin Pigott remembers visiting his first ever DOC hut and knowing he just had to visit all of the huts in the Tararua Ranges Now, he has bagged over 500 huts all across the North and South Island and is on a mission to visit them all. Working as an asset inspector at DOC has enabled him to get out into the bush often. Benjamin talks about some of his favourite huts he's visited, tips for hut bagging and how to get started if you've never been to a DOC hut before.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Benjamin on Instagram: instagram.com/wekas_adventures/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Get my NZ Map & Guide

Tara and Naomi set off on a 46 day journey across the NZ North and South Islands to visit every ski field while bikepacking. The duo, @pedals2powder both loved and enjoyed skiing, yet the bikepacking and logistics of planning a 7 week adventure was a new challenge. Tara and Naomi share about their favourite club fields, including Mt Olympus, Fox Peak, Awakino, Broken River and Craggy Burn. Winter presented challenges due to short days, unpredictable weather and cold temperatures, but the pair enjoyed so many memorable moments, including finishing the journey at Treble Cone with over 100 other skiers-cyclists! They say, "if you have an idea, you're the only one getting in the way... so just do it!" A documentary of their epic journey will be featured at various film festivals in 2025.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Pedals to Power on Instagram: instagram.com/pedals2powder/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Get my NZ Map & Guide

Kerry Quigley gets outdoors often with his family, 4WDing and camping as it brings them peace and calm to what is normally a busy life. His kids, now aged 7 and 3 had their first camping trips at 1 year and 8 weeks old. Kerry shares about a particularly memorable trip on a long weekend trip to the Hopkins Valley. Several families were on this trip and the weather started to turn on the last day. Kerry says "you don't need much to get out," and shares his tips for packing, gear and some of his favourite locations. As a family, they cherish making memories together and enjoy fishing on their trips.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Kerry on Instagram: instagram.com/quigs_outdoorlife/

instagram.com/4x4offroadsolutions/

www.4x4offroadsolutions.co.nz

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Anurag Sharma moved to New Zealand in 2002 but didn't start tramping until moving to Wellington 16 years later. Since then, he has done all the Great Walks and recently set his sights on Te Araroa. Although it started as something he would do "one day," losing his mother was a catalyst to set a date for Te Araroa and start preparing. Anurag talks about self-discovery and the importance of trying new things and stepping outside your comfort zone, particularly as a South Asian immigrant challenging cultural norms. Despite setbacks, including an ankle cyst, surgery and changing his start date, he is excited to start walking and raise money for 10 different charities.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Anurag on Instagram: instagram.com/ragshikes

Subscribe on Youtube: youtube.com/@ragshikes

Donate to Anurag's fundraiser for 10 charities

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Bennett Lim has always been drawn to the water and set his sights on sea kayaking as a teen. Since then, his obsession with paddling has grown and being based in Auckland means the Hauraki Gulf is right on his doorstep! Working as a sea kayak guide and instructor, Bennett spends his days off doing other personal trips and multi-day missions. He has explored most of the islands in the Gulf, with a goal to circumnavigate all the islands, including Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier. He talks about the best spots to explore in the Hauraki Gulf depending on what type of adventure you'd like. Bennett shares his advice for anyone that wants to start sea kayaking, covering gear, skills and how to overcome the biggest barriers to getting started.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Bennett on Instagram: instagram.com/benditto_/Auckland Sea Kayaks

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Get my NZ Map & Guide

Sarah Blair started tramping with her daughters, Jacinda (16) and Olivia (12) recently. In this episode, they share about tramping the St James Walkway over 5 days. They share about the route, suitable for beginner and advanced trampers, huts along the way and their favourite moments. They had an unexpected encounter involving an old hunter's hut, wild horses, the police and kiwi hospitality. The trio love getting outdoors together and find that their bond deepens when they see one another at their worst and they create so many special memories together. They share advice for other families with teens that want to get outdoors.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Sarah on Instagram: instagram.com/sarahblairadventures/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Get my NZ Map & Guide

Britt Spencer is the first person to cross the Cook Strait on a prone paddle board. She shares about her journey getting into surf life saving, her deep love of the sport and how she has competed at an international level. Despite the Cook Strait being notoriously dangerous and previous health challenges, Britt decided she wanted to attempt a crossing between the North and South island. Her community rallied around her, supporting her goal through the training, logistics and providing safety during the crossing. Britt talks about emotions she felt on the day, from the physical challenges to the high of completion. She shares awesome advice for anyone else working towards a huge goal that may feel unreachable.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Britt on Instagram: instagram.com/brittjayspencer/

Watch Paddle X on YouTube

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Get my NZ Map & Guide

One year on from quitting her corporate job, Abigail Hannah shares her journey of running a business. In this episode she covers:

VOTE for Aotearoa Adventures in the NZ Podcast Awards: ⁠https://www.nzpodcastawards.com/nominate

⁠Get my NZ Map & Guide

⁠Ellen Mackenzie’s Dishing Up Digital School⁠

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Kiri on Instagram: instagram.com/theslowroad_/

Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@theslowroad

Buy The Slow Road: The Complete Guide to Vanlife in New Zealand

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Get my NZ Map & Guide

Mark Jones is a well-known adventurer in the NZ expedition community. In this episode Mark shares about his most recent journey - sea kayaking the Fiordland coast. Due to the weather, they had to switch to Plan B, and started in Doubtful Sound, finishing in Jackson Bay. The duo were self-sufficient with their protein, fishing and hunting off the land. Mark shares about where they stayed along the way - at questionable campsites and historic huts. There were some incredibly challenging surf landings that damaged both kayaks, calling for DIY repairs to complete the journey. As an Outdoor Education lecturer at AUT, Mark is passionate about inspiring adventure and the connection between mental wellbeing and the outdoors.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Watch the film: Sea Kayak Fiordland 2024

Donate to the Mental Health Foundation NZ fundraiser

FREE resources for mental wellbeing

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/