A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.

Te Araroa is a demanding tramp even for experienced parties. With two fatalities on the trail in 19 months and another hiker missing since 6 Feb, Nelson tramping club member Paula Garnham wants to warn trampers of the dangers to prevent other families from losing loved ones.

Garnham is particularly concerned that recent publicity surrounding Belgium ultrarunner Karel Sabbe’s recent speed record, alongside Brit athlete Russ Cook’s announcement that he will also run it in March, could be promoting the wrong message.

“It’s not the point of the trail. Walking trails are designed to go slowly and carefully and to go find yourself – not to find yourself dead.”

With over 2000 registered Te Araroa walkers this year (70% from overseas), Garnham wants to make sure it’s not marketed internationally as being as easy to walk as other popular hikes like the Camino Pilgrim trail in Europe.

Te Araroa trail executive director Matt Claridge said the trail requires a “high degree” of focus and concentration, but believes walkers are mostly highly prepared for the 3,000km journey. Read the full story from Stuff.

Three New Zealand islands join global restoration campaign

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and partners are joining the international Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC) to boost conservation efforts on subantarctic Maukahuka/Auckland Island, Rakiura/Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. 

The IOCC aims to restore at least 40 globally significant island-ocean ecosystems by 2030. An ambitious plan to remove invasive species, protect threatened wildlife, and restore the island ecosystems so they’re resilient to climate change has been agreed by DOC, Ngāi Tahu, Moriori, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri and community partners.  

DOC’s Director-General Penny Nelson says joining the IOCC will help New Zealand promote and amplify groundbreaking island conservation on the world stage. 

“For millions of years, New Zealand’s native species evolved separately from the rest of the world. They’re unique, they’re only found here, and once they’re gone from here, they’re gone from everywhere. 

“Partnering with the IOCC connects us with international donors who want to restore nature. It will boost government investment so we can scale up the most complex and challenging island conservation projects New Zealand has ever attempted.  

Each island is 4-15 times larger than the biggest New Zealand island (Campbell Island) previously cleared of pests. Read more from DOC.

DOC faces 30% shortfall in funding huts and tracks

DOC’s network currently includes 15,000 kilometres of track, longer than all the state highways in New Zealand combined as well as 950 huts, 300 campsites and more than 2000 toilets. And their future is in limbo, as the agency faces a 30 percent shortfall in funding to maintain them.

Director of heritage and visitors Catherine Wilson confirmed the department was reviewing its visitor network – the collection of huts, tracks, carparks, signs and public toilets – to address the lack of funding.

Budget 2024 saw a decrease in funding on previous years, with cuts to programmes like Jobs for Nature and the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, for a total reduction of $134m.

The agency was asked to find savings of 6.5 percent as part of government cost-cutting – $31.3 million per year from 2024/25 – and announced cuts to 124 jobs. Read the full story from RNZ.

Five knots every tramper needs to know

Backpacker interviewed Richard Hopkins, author of several knot-tying books to learn the best knots for trampers.

The bowline is considered the most versatile knot. The fixed loop at the end of a rope is useful for attaching tent guylines to stakes, hauling gear and many other uses. You can also use it to rescue someone who has fallen into a river or down a slope.

The tautline hitch is an adjustable knot that can slide back and forth. It’s a quick way to save you from undoing and retying knots to fine-tune tension.

The hunter’s bend is used to tie two pieces of rope together. It’s a strong knot requiring only about six inches at the end of each rope.

The Siberian Hitch is handy in cold climates because it can be tied with gloves on. Tie each end to a tree to set up a ridgeline for a tent or tarp. In the morning you can quickly release the knot with one pull of the end.

The alpine butterfly is a knot that comes from mountain climbing. Hikers in the middle of a rope team can use it to stay together along a ridgeline, on a glacier, or in low-visibility conditions.

Worm-like creature that shoots slime crowned ‘Bug of the Year’

The New Zealand velvet worm or ngāokeoke has been crowned bug of the year for 2025. The ancient gummy-looking worm, covered in velvety blue colouration and orange spots, is estimated to have been around in Aotearoa for 500 million years.

In that time it’s become a lethal predator of the forest floor with a hunting method that involves shooting sticky slime from its head that dissolves prey into soup.

Despite their name, the critters are not considered worms or caterpillars and instead have their own classification below “kingdom” and above “class” called Onychophora. Velvet worms are considered a missing link between worms and insects.

Around 10,000 people from New Zealand and around the world voted in this year’s competition, the highest-ever turnout. Bug of the Year committee member Connal McLean said it was a close result, with the whē or New Zealand praying mantis missing out on the top spot by just 110 votes. Rounding out the podium this year was the giant springtail. Read the full story from RNZ.