Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast

Ivan Polyntcev started ultra-swimming - an elite open-water sport - less than six years ago, after moving to New Zealand. As a professional dancer, Ivan wanted a new sport to get into competitively. He started swimming in the ocean and soon he was hooked. Ivan attempted to cross the Cook Strait two years ago, but didn't even get in the water to start. He shares about the mental and physical journey to return and attempt the crossing a second time. His accomplishment makes him one of 200 people in the world that have swum the Cook Strait and it is globally infamous for its powerful tides, unpredictable currents, wildlife, and hazardous conditions. Ivan shares the lows and highs of the crossing, the logistical preparation and what might be next for him in ultra-swimming.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

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 Ivan on Instagram: instagram.com/ivan.swims/ 

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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

Abigail Hannah had the privilege of being interviewed on the Kiwi Yarns podcast with Brodie Kane. Listen to the full episode on all major platforms.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYmBtr9kk5Y

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FEtXmUxF1gbzovTpKsGHO

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/kiwi-yarns/id1516048486

And follow Abigail on Instagram for some exciting news: instagram.com/abigailhannnah

Sophie Wakelin is a doctor, who quit her job in Wellington to spend time travelling. Over three months in the South Island, she slept out of her car and bagged 67 huts from Nelson Lakes to Rakiura Stewart Island. Sophie shares her top three favourite huts, including Mataketake Hut that required a second attempt to get to. She shares the challenges she faced while tramping solo, how to grow your confidence in the outdoors and plenty of ideas for your next South Island tramp or hut bagging mission.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today.

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

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 Sophie on Instagram: instagram.com/dr_sophs/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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

Please leave a review for Aotearoa Adventures on Spotify or Apple.

Find your next adventure inspo here: PODCAST EPISODE DIRECTORY

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Life is life-ing at the moment for host Abigail Hannah as she is in a period of transition both personally and in business. She is taking a break this week to go tramping with whānau and will be back next week with another epic guest episode.

In the meantime, go ahead and binge some previous episodes or re-listen to your favourites.

Until next time, keep adventuring!

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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

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Jacq Nesbit started tramping in adulthood and she shares about walking the Heaphy Track from Karamea to Collingwood. Jacq managed to find last-minute tickets on Monday to start the Great Walk on a Thursday - and be back in time for work the following Monday. She details what to expect each day on the Heaphy Track. At 85km, it is the longest Great Walk and often overlooked due to the complex logistics. Jacq shares the best options for shuttle, what to take with you in your pack, as well as her favourite moments from the trail.

Heaphy Track bookings for the 25/26 season open on 15 May 2025: ⁠https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/online-bookings/⁠

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today.

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

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 Jacq on Instagram: instagram.com/feet.first.nz/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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

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Naomi Arnold fulfilled a 20-year dream when she walked Te Araroa northbound (NOBO), from Bluff to Cape Reinga. What she expected to be a 4-5 month trail turned into 9 months as she juggled freelance work and writing a book on the trail. Her determination meant she pushed through all the physical and mental challenges, never for a moment wanting to quit, despite how tough it got. Her absolute favourite moment was the Tongariro Crossing and experiencing the forces of nature in the volcanic area. Naomi reflects on how hard the trail and physical challenges were day in and day out, and particularly the solitude she experience on the trail without meeting anyone else for weeks on end. Get her book NORTHBOUND available now.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

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 Naomi on Instagram: instagram.com/naomijarnold/

www.naomiarnold.net

GIVEAWAY: Email me at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram to enter the draw and win a copy of Northbound - 3 to give away!

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

Join the Broadcast Channel on Instagram for the inside scoop: https://www.instagram.com/j/AbYd1Flco4Sb02UP/

Sam the Trap Man is a bushman - he goes foraging, fishing and hunting - and at his core he is a conservationist, living in harmony with the ecosystems around us. Growing up in the East Cape, Te Uruwera feels like home to Sam. He shares about one of his favourite trails, the Koranga Tawa Loop, because of the mahinga kai the bush provides, and encounters with endangered birds. Now a parent, Sam loves to share his knowledge of the flora and fauna of New Zealand with his kids. They love identifying plants, fishing, mushrooming and learning to navigate the bush. He shares his best advice for people that want to support conservation and biodiversity, while stressing the importance of learning-by-doing and getting out there. Get his book Sam the Trap Man.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

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 Sam the Trap Man on Instagram: instagram.com/sam_the_trap_man/

Follow Sam the Trap Man on TikTok: tiktok.com/@samthetrapman

Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@samthetrapman4579

samthetrapman.nz

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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

FREEBIE: 14 Day South Island Itinerary

Jord and Tom quit their jobs 7 years ago to travel to the other side of the world. A few vans later, Jord and Tom have a caravan in New Zealand and share about Fiordland - one of their favourite locations. They stayed off-grid in Fiordland and loved Te Anau for fun activities like jet boating and helicopter trips. The couple share all their best advice for first-time and long-term vanlifers, from choosing the right size space to how to shower. They share travel hacks for the best apps in New Zealand for vanlife, which memberships are worth it and how to live on the road full-time and budget friendly.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

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 Jord and Tom on Instagram: instagram.com/tasmantravels/

Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TasmanTravels

tasmantravels.com

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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

Rich Soult has spent years exploring the South Island with 4WD adventures, turning his passion for off-road driving into a career. Having lived in the UK, New Zealand, and France, he started writing for 4X4 Magazine before launching his own guiding company in 2020. Now, Rich leads epic 4WD tours through some of the South Island’s most iconic locations. He shares about their two-week north to south route, covering the iconic Macaulay, Godley, and Hopkins valleys, Old Man Range, Mavora Lakes and more. From braided rivers to alpine passes, beaches to remote backcountry tracks, his trips showcase New Zealand’s world-class overlanding. He shares some of his favourite campsites, how to start overlanding, important skills and upcoming tours.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

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 4x4 Explorer Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/4x4exploreradventures/

www.4x4exploreradventures.co.nz

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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