It is hoped that a price increase for overseas walkers on Te Araroa this season will inject more funds into the trail’s development and repairs.

“We’re thinking about the future of the trail, and the trail’s needs,” Te Araroa Trust executive director Matt Claridge said. “We’ve got a huge difference between what’s needed to service and develop the trail and what our reality has been.”

For those international hikers doing the full journey or just the South Island leg, the cost of the TA Pass is now $1350; for North Island or section walks it is $605. 

The international Te Araroa Pass includes registration and membership of the TA Trust, the Trail Pass (which provides access to accommodation on public conservation land) and a contribution towards the ongoing development of the trail. 

“We’ve got a responsibility to develop the trail, repair the trail, and this comes as a lot of climate events impact us now,” Claridge said. 

Claridge said about 70–75 per cent of those who register to walk Te Araoa are internationals. “We want New Zealanders to see that internationals are paying their way.” 

The trust is interested in growing the number of New Zealanders who tackle Te Araroa either for the whole walk or part of it. 

The TA Pass for Kiwis wanting to hike the length of New Zealand includes a registration fee ($60), the Trail Pass ($250) and an optional trail contribution – a recommended $10 per day. 

“We ultimately want New Zealanders to be connected to Te Araroa,” Claridge said. 

This pricing makes the trail more accessible for Kiwis, who are already contributing to its up keep in different ways, such as through taxes or voluntary work on huts and tracks.