When choosing a proposal location, marriage planners recommend picking a location that is relatable to your partner’s personality and lifestyle. Luckily for trampers, Aotearoa’s stunning outdoors provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable proposal. If the New Year has you thinking 2024 is the time to take your relationship to another level, let these tramping twosomes inspire you.

Tricia and Adrian

“We share a passion for tramping,” says Adrian. “Our journey took a significant turn when we began building our own campervan, envisioning it as the means for our trips. 

“I had an engagement ring and was awaiting the perfect moment, which came when we decided to hike to Pouakai Tarns after finishing the van. 

“With my experience as a part-time video content creator, I have always wanted to make a video that is personal and dedicated to us, and I secretly documented our Aotearoa travels with a plan to make a proposal video. 

“I wanted to end the video with the Pouakai Tarns as the backdrop, nestled against Taranaki Maunga, which would be a reminder of our climbing interests. 

The journey began at 4am on a chilly autumn morning. 

We aimed to reach the tarns during the golden hour. Everything unfolded as if tailor-made. The sun came above the clouds; we had the landscape to ourselves. At the summit, with only the two of us present, I set up the tripod and convinced Tricia to pose for a photo while I secretly initiated a video. With trembling hands and an engagement ring in my pocket, I knelt down and asked her to marry me. Fortunately, she said yes.”

Fiona and Tony

Fiona Davies met her future husband Tony on the Milford and Routeburn tracks when they were guides. 

Tony proposed during an eight-day Nelson Lakes National Park trip.

“Tony said he didn’t really have a plan except to do it in a cool spot. A few days in, he decided Moss Pass was a great option,” said Fiona.

“At the top it was blowing a gale, so over lunch, I layered up. Tony was very picky about where we sat, but I just wanted to eat. 

“He was into photography and asked me to stand in a particular spot on the pass, then stood next to me. While we were posing, he told me it was a time lapse. 

“I thought this was all a bit weird, then he was down on one knee, asking for my hand and I gave him the wrong one. When we finally got the right (left) hand, I had gloves on, so it was all a bit of a laugh.

“Afterwards it was like, ‘right, well, I guess we better pack the ring away  and keep hiking’.”

The couple had Blue Lake Hut to themselves and didn’t see anyone for a few days. There was no one to share the news with.