The Trail Pledge
He ki taurangi mo Te Araroa
Your plans are in place and you are ready to walk Te Araroa! Before you go, please take the Trail Pledge, he ki taurangi mo Te Araroa, and make the Tiaki Promise. This is about respecting the people, communities, landscapes and wildlife you will meet along your way and ensuring that everyone can enjoy Te Araroa for generations to come.
Tangata whenua, the indigenous Māori people of Aotearoa New Zealand, hold ancestral authority, known as mana whenua, over the lands the trail meanders through. Te Araroa journeys through many lands (whenua) of different hapū (tribes).
Te Araroa recognises the mauri, or life force, of the lands, mountains, forests and rivers of Aotearoa. Te Taiao, our environment is taonga, a treasure, and it is up to all of us to protect and preserve it.
As you explore the land, take time to learn about our people, history and culture. By taking the opportunity to understand our culture and customs, you’ll have a positive impact on the communities you visit and enrich your experience. In return, the people you meet will leave a lasting impact on you, fostering a deeper connection to Aotearoa.
Enjoy your time in Aotearoa New Zealand’s beautiful outdoors and commit to respecting the mana of people and place.
Environment
I pledge to respect & care for the environment by:
- Using marked tracks
- Camping in designated areas
- Only lighting small, controlled fires, and only if I have a permit
- Always taking rubbish with me
- Using designated toilets
- Not using any products when bathing or washing in rivers, lakes or seas.
- Giving wildlife space and not feeding wild animals
- Cleaning my gear to stop the spread of diseases like Kauri Dieback
Culture
I pledge to respect local culture and customs by:
- Actively seeking opportunities to learn and listen
- Never sitting on a table or surface where food is prepared
- Not entering Marae unless invited
- Checking which sites are wāhi tapu (sacred) and respecting customary practice
Property
I pledge to respect all property by:
- Sticking to marked routes and not taking shortcuts
- Only camping if it is explicitly permitted
- Not disturbing stock
- Leaving gates as I find them (open or closed)
People
I pledge to respect other people by:
- Keeping the noise down at night
- Removing muddy boots before entering huts
- Restocking huts with firewood
- Cleaning up and leaving huts and campsites better than I found them
- Helping other trail users if they’re in need