Complete the crossword and rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out the hidden solution. Send your answer, name and address by December 18 to: wildernessword@lifestylepublishing.co.nz, or WildernessWord, PO Box 251566, Pakuranga, Auckland 2140. All correct entries go in the draw to win one of five bottles of 2B sandfly and mosquito repellant.

Across
1. _____ __ Nowhere – part of Whanganui National Park (6,2)
6. Animals in wilderness are not this (4)
8. Top of mountain (6)
9. Essential tool when climbing to frozen 8 Across (3,3)
10. Charges for use of DOC huts (4)
11. Coated with protective oxide layer – tent poles are often this (8)
13. Money spent on basic outdoor gear, eg (6)
15. Mountain bikers (6)
16. Fearless in face of wilderness challenge (8)
18. Maori name for NZ stitchbird (4)
19. NZ shrub with yellow flowers (6)
21. Is not extinct (6)
22. Source of river or stream (4)
23. _____ Matangi Island – NZ nature reserve in Hauraki Gulf (8)

Down
2. Popular South Island tramping track (9)
3. Naturally formed rounded mounds (5)
4. Wide part of river where it nears sea (7)
5. _____ Bay – NZ bay in Coromandel Peninsula (5)
6. The call of ___ ____ – magnetic appeal of nature (3,4)
7. Trail ___ – another name for scroggin (3)
12. Brownish fungus that grows in leaf litter on forest floor (9)
14. Staggered unsteadily due to uneven terrain (7)
15. Introduced animal that causes destruction in NZ bush (3,4)
17. Direction marked on compass (5)
18. Raise sails on boat (5)
20. Rock that is mineral aggregate (3)

Hidden Solution: NZ Great Walk water setting (12)
January’s hidden solution: Tane Mahuta