Frequently Asked Questions
Where is this year’s Trek starting and finishing?
The Start and Finish areas will be loaded on the website once known. The general area will be up but if it doesn’t have a specific location then it is still a work in progress!
There are a few logistics that go into planning the route and we have to make time to head down there to work it out!
Can I be a volunteer?
You certainly can and we would LOVE that!! Events like this are not successful without our volunteers! We are always on the lookout for good Volunteers so please get it touch!
That’s a lot of travelling on Arrival Day - Can I arrive earlier?
Yes if you are travelling with horses then you can arrive on the Friday. However there are a few things to note:
Horses are not to be fenced in Camp. The horse paddock area will be marked, and you can paddock your horses in this area, but please note that the Wranglers will setting up horse paddocks on Saturday so we ask that you catch and tie your horses up in the morning (they will need to be vetted before you can register anyway)
You will need to provide your own feed if your horse needs it - the Dunstan Coolfeed and FibrePro will be available from Saturday afternoon.
You need to be completely self-sufficient. There will be no services (no toilets, showers or meals) so you will need to be prepared, and self-contained.
If you are not self-contained we prefer you to arrive on Saturday thanks.
What are the camping options?
Option 1: Camp in your own tent/swag. You bring your own tent/mattress/stretcher which you set up every afternoon and pack up every morning. You would need to pack all your gear up and load it into a numbered Luggage Truck to be transported to the next camp (for no extra fee), and then collect it when you arrive back at camp to set up.
Option 2: Rent a Camping Package Tent for an extra fee of $900. This is a large dome tent, for two people that is set up for you each day, with a stretcher, mattress and camp chair and your luggage is placed inside the door at each Camp. Then all you have to do in the morning is pack your bags and get ready to head out on the trail for the day!
Option 3: Camp in your Horse Truck or Float. If you have built in accommodation that you like staying in then great! If you do wish to sleep in your vehicle we ask that you bring a support person who can drive your vehicle from camp to camp. A support person is someone who is not riding, walking or biking, but is there to support you during the week. There is an extra charge ($1000) as they are not contributing as a volunteer, and we are not offering a shuttle service this year.
Option 4: Support Volunteer - you are driving a Trekkers Vehicle but must complete full volunteer role. This means you can only drive one trekkers vehicle as you will then be busy completing your role around camp. If you are shooting back to the previous camp to get another mates vehicle this takes you away from your volunteer job and lets your team down so therefore if you intend on doing this you will need to come as a full support person which enables you to do this. This will help us insure camp is smooth sailing. Most volunteer jobs start at 7.30am so you need to be available from then.
If you have a vehicle, but do not need it for the week, we ask that you take it to the end camp, and catch the End Camp Shuttle back to the start camp. Luggage is ok, however if you have horses please drop them to the start camp first. If you are bringing bikes and need them transported from End Camp to Start Camp please let us know so we can arrange appropriate transport.
What does a Camping Package Tent include?
The Camping Package Tents are that little bit extra! Each tent is a twin share, and comes with two stretchers, two mattresses and two camp chairs. Your tents are set up for you each afternoon and your luggage is deposited just inside your entrance by our team of lovely volunteers.
Please be considerate, we ask that you limit your luggage to two bags each, and if you cannot lift them then our Volunteers can’t either.
How do I get my vehicle from camp to camp
We ask that you only keep your vehicle with you if you really need it. Camp space can be limited in some areas.
If you do need your vehicle then we recommend that you bring a support person ($850) to transfer your vehicle between campsites. A support person does not walk, ride or bike, but is simply there to support you by transporting your vehicle/accommodation and ensuring your arrival and departure from camp goes smoothly. Unfortunately we have not built up a strong enough Volunteer base to be able to move all the vehicles that we require to run the Camp, as well as move your vehicles for you.
Otherwise, we ask that vehicles are left at the End Camp and you can catch the End Camp Shuttle back to the start camp, and we have dedicated Luggage Trucks that can move your gear from Camp to Camp.
What is the End Camp Shuttle?
The End Camp Shuttle operates on the Arrival Day (Saturday). It is a service provided so those who do not need their vehicles throughout the week can leave them safely at the End Camp, ready for their departure. It is a free service, however we do need numbers, and ask that your luggage is kept to a reasonable amount.
What is the Airport Transfer? What Airport do I fly to?
The Airport Transfer is by default return - so if you are collected from the airport, you will be returned there at the end. This is an additional cost, and you can choose this on your registration form. If you require a transfer please provide us with your Flight details and Flight Times.
The airport locations change depending on where the trek is that year so if you are going to book a flight please email us to find out what airport we will run the shuttle to and from before booking.
Why can I not trek and then move my car everyday?
The logistics of this are not ideal. We currently do not have the Volunteer capacity to offer a shuttle service, and in a lot of cases the distance between camps (for both you as a trekker en route, and via the road way) can be long and can leave little time for everyone to get back in time to set up, shower, relax and make it muster.
It also has so many chances for things to go wrong i.e. someone not getting in to camp on time, or forgetting their keys etc. and we are trying to make Trek life as easy as possible!
Plus, after a long day of trekking do you really want to shuttle back to get your vehicle? If you absolutely must have your vehicle then we are ask you to bring a Support Person.
Otherwise, we have dedicated Luggage Trucks to move your gear between Camps for you so you can enjoy your trek!
Why does my support person/driver have to pay?
The support personnel are there to do just that - support their people, and are therefore not asked to help out with the breakdown and reassembling of the Camp. They can do what they wish for the day until their person is back - their job is to drive their person’s vehicle from Camp to Camp. The support fee covers the services and food provided for people on the Trek - as even though the Support people aren’t actually trekking they are part of the Trek Whanau and very important to their people! If they feel up to it, we have a Support-Volunteer option which means your Support person can also help us out as a Volunteer!
How are the horses paddocked to ensure they are safe?
Horse safety is high on our priority list.
We paddock the horses into communal, colour coded paddocks divided by fences (if available) or electric tape within a larger paddock. We try to keep each paddock with no more than 30 horses in each. We do not have the facilities for individual paddocks or yards.
At registration your horse is given a coloured tag and it is expected that your horse is put back into the same coloured paddock every night. We have a team of volunteer Wranglers who do their best to ensure there are no issues with paddock arrangements, and on top of this we have a Night Watch team that keeps an eye out while you are sleeping to make sure all the horses are happy and resting up for the next day of trekking. If any accidents do occur, or you have any concerns, we have the Trek Vets available to answer any questions or fix any problems.
If your horse has known issues i.e. does not respect tape or does not socialise well - please contact us to discuss it’s suitability for this event.
Can I hire a horse?
Yes, there are horses available for hire. The Trek for Life Aotearoa/NZ Charitable Trust does not do this themselves, but we have a few trusted providers.
If you wish to hire a horse you can contact
Del Paewai on 06 374 8832
Jenny Simpson on 027 342 5224
Earl and Lisa Paewai 027 304 3649.
The cost is usually around $1000 but you will need to discuss this directly with your horse provider for exact prices and their terms and conditions.
Can my horse be barefoot?
We highly recommend that horses are shod, due to the fact that there is such varied terrains - including road riding on both gravel and tarseal.
If you choose to bring a barefoot horse please be aware that this is most definitely at your own risk and we ask that you seriously consider bringing boots such as Old Mac’s or Cavallo etc. Please ensure that you are knowledgeable and dedicated enough to use Hoof Boots appropriately, and have had experience fitting hoof boots, and can take them on and off where needed.
When planning the trek route we are unable to cater to barefoot horses all the time - hence the shoeing recommendation.
What and where do I feed my horse?
We will be supplying FibrePro and Dunstan Coolfeed (or similar products) for you to feed to your horse - this will be available from he Saturday afternoon once Camp is set up. If you are arriving earlier you will need to factor in feed and water for your horses and yourselves!
Please do not feed horses in the communal paddocks.
If needed, hay will also be supplied in the communal paddocks.
How fit do I (and my horse) need to be?
As fit as possible! We aim to keep the route to between 25-35km per day, however in the past (for various reasons) we have had to do up to 40km per day. It is also important to remember that this is multiple days of trekking (3 days, then a rest day, then another 3 days), and this can take a greater toll on the body. There is also varied terrain, which includes farmland, hills, mud and sand! we definitely recommend you try and do a few multi-day treks in the lead up to the Trek for Life so you (and your horse) get a feel for how fit you need to be.
I need to have my horse transported
There are a range of horse transporters available around the country. For Interisland travel the likes of Majestic Horse Transport and TFS Horse Transport have been used by Trekkers in the past, while in the North Island 5 Star Horse Transport can usually help.
Alternatively, you are welcome to post on our Facebook page as there might be others who are in the same position - or there may be people with a spare spaces who are travelling up and who would be willing to bring your horse up for you.