Nga Tapuwae o Taneatua Tramping Club

Nineteen trampers walked over tracks on Garth Trafford's farm. We started at the bottom of the airstrip and waited until the topdressing plane took off before parking our cars up at the top of the road. The plane was returning every three minutes to reload two tons of fertiliser. The farm has dairy and beef, rearing 2500 calves. At lunch we received a drop of fertiliser on us. The distance walked was 7.07km with moving time 3.22hrs. This property will also lead us to explore other areas for tramping.
Report from Alan Mills, tramp leader

On Thursday 27th August 11 trampers led by Lee set off up the Pakihi Track. Morning tea was beside the river, then on over the new slip repair with gabion baskets to Nancy and Ron's camp. Lunch at the Kathy Sheldrake shelter, before the 5 day trampers turned back.
6 carried on to the hut arriving 2.30ish. A convivial afternoon and evening were had chatting and playing 5 Crowns.
Next morning Jessie a trapper with Tiaki Taiao took our photo before continuing on up the track on his electric motorbike to check the many traps along the track.
We left at 8.45am, stopping at the shelter for navigation app tuition, then at Nancy and Ron's for morning tea. We were out by 12.30 to enjoy lunchtime treatment at Opotiki's Bridge Street Café.

On 20 August an enthusiastic group of 15 Tramping Club members attended the first aid course run for us this week by Peak Safety. It was a good fun and very informative day, with a strong focus on practical exercises and scenarios relevant to our group. The trainer was excellent, her experience as a paramedic was invaluable, and her use of varying methods to present information, including group discussions, videos and role playing both indoors and outdoors meant everyone was engaged and learning throughout the day.
A very useful and highly recommended course for all club members. Thanks to Belinda for organising this for the Club.
Photos by Belinda and Faye.

16 trampers led by Stuart Slade went up the Pakihi Track on Sunday 23 August to Ron & Nancy's camp and nostalgically boiled a billy in the rain, as was done in the past, before everyone carried their own Thermos flask.

While some of the Trampers were on a first aid course, five Walkers did a little 5km circuit including the Bird Walk. Enough ups and downs to get the blood pumping. Photos by Warner.

A cold, frosty morning turned into a beautiful winter’s day for 28 trampers that walked the Te Waiti Track at Ōtara on Thursday 06August26.
There were a few slips and slides along the way but overall the track was in very good condition.
Traversing a big slip was carefully monitored for safety with helpers ready to assist at any time.
A hiking pole that went awol was gallantly retrieved with the help of others and a rope.
Much appreciation to the owners of Bushaven who allowed club members to park their cars for the day.
The distance was 12.27kms and the tramp was led by Alan Mills

Report of tramp to Otanewainuku on Thursday 30 July 2026 by leader Belinda Bird -
"A group of 13 came on this tramp taking in both the trig and waterfall walk. Great weather conditions and well maintained tracks although some very rooty steeper sections required a bit of care to negotiate. Some fairly impressive trees in the reserve including a number of large fallen trees. Just under 10km covered. Each track can be done as a single walk if wanting a shorter day."
Photos by Belinda, Lee and Pauline

Seven members of the Nga Tapuwae o Taneatua Tramping Club set to with chainsaws and other cutting tools and cleared four kilometres of trail on the Whakaumu Track, east of Opotiki, on Monday 27 July 2026. The track had become difficult to hike due to many fallen trees, a lot of fallen nikau branches and a recent slip. After the work was done the track was left clear with a few fallen trees left to navigate to make for an easy but interesting hike through attractive native forest. The voluntary service project was organised by Alan Mills.

Last Thursday's trampers at the Papaka lookout over Whakatane. Photo by Roseanne.