160: Hut Etiquette in DOC Huts and Exploring the Whitcombe Valley with Renee Cadigan
Renee Cadigan shares about how her love for the outdoors has evolved as her boys have grown older. Renee now explores solo, and loves discovering hidden valleys and remote huts close to home on the West Coast. She talks about her latest obsession, the Whitcombe Valley, where countless routes and huts go through rugged terrain and some of her favourite overnights and huts in the area. Then Renee dives deep into hut etiquette, sharing an awful and confronting (gross) backcountry experience at Rapid Creek Hut and what not to do when you are using public spaces like DOC huts. With humour and honesty, Renee offers practical advice on the unspoken rules that keep these special places welcoming for everyone. Renee also shares her love of the West Coast with other Coasters in her series Voices of the Coast.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itineraryThank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)Follow Renee on Instagram: instagram.com/reneecadigannz/Follow Renee on TikTok: tiktok.com/@reneecadigannzSubscribe on YouTubeRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
--------
55:50
--------
55:50
159: Exploring Northland and Living on the Road in a 12-Ton Unimog with Kyla and Louis
Kyla and Louis are the kiwi couple behind Out the Gate Off Road and live full-time in their 1988 Mercedes Unimog. With a background in carpentry and a shared love of adventure, they designed and built every detail of their home-on-wheels themselves. They share favourite Northland locations including Ahipara, Karikari Peninsula and Whangarei Heads, tips for travelling with dogs, and how they manage life, work and CrossFit training on the road. Next, Kyla and Louis want to visit the South Island, then Australia, and one day a road trip across the Americas. Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)Follow Out the Gate on Instagram: instagram.com/outthegateoffroad/Subscribe on YouTubeRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
--------
51:49
--------
51:49
158: Mountain Biking, Towel Ponchos and a Brain Injury with Debs Brockelsby
Debs Brockelsby is based in Rotorua and deeply passionate about adventures outdoors. After a traumatic brain injury, she realised that life is short - do cool sh*t. Debs shares about quitting her dream job at Cycling NZ, the long journey of recovery, and how mountain biking helped her rebuild confidence and joy. She talks about starting Stoked NZ, a towel poncho business inspired by her love for lake swims and riding in the forest. Debs offers advice for anyone wanting to get into mountain biking, including how to choose your first bike, where to ride, and how to find community. Her story is a reminder to chase adventure and make the most of every day.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today.Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow Debs on Instagram: instagram.com/stokednz/www.stokednz.co.nzRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
--------
53:12
--------
53:12
157: Setting the Fastest Self-Supported Record on Te Araroa with Billy Meredith
Billy "Wahoo" Meredith set the record for the fastest known self-supported time on Te Araroa in 2025. With a background in thru-hiking and trail running, Billy had set records in the USA on the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails - including completing all three in one year. He shares about the differences between hiking in the USA and tramping in New Zealand - the rugged terrain proving and lack of track markers proving challenging. Billy battled trench foot just 160 km away from Bluff, a mental and physical challenge with the time ticking on setting a record, as well as his visa running out. Other mishaps along the trail included opening a package with two right shoes, shin splints, thick mud and hunger. Billy shares about adapting when plans fall apart, the joy of discovering new landscapes day after day, and why tramping in New Zealand felt more rewarding than anywhere else he has hiked.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)Follow Billy on Instagram: instagram.com/billymeredith_/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
--------
1:02:10
--------
1:02:10
156: Taranaki Three Peaks Traverse and Supporting Families in the Outdoors with Jenn Julian
Jennifer Julian is an outdoor education teacher from Canada now based in Taranaki, raising two daughters aged three and five. With her experiences in mountaineering and LandSAR volunteering, Jenn shares about the Taranaki Three Peaks Traverse, a demanding mission linking Taranaki, Pouakai and Patuha. She reflects on completing this route after have children and the appeal of tough challenges. Alongside personal trips, Jenn founded Trails & Tots, a community to get local families outdoors - through resources, hiking groups and a gear library. She shares about barriers and benefits to getting outdoors and practical tips for tramping with kids.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Get my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayThank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)Follow Jenn on Instagram: instagram.com/trailsandtots/ www.trailsandtots.co.nzRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
About Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast
Explore New Zealand with Aotearoa Adventures - your ultimate guide to travel, adventure, and the outdoors.
Each week, host Abigail Hannah brings you inspiring stories from everyday people, covering tramping, vanlife, bikepacking, road trips, and so much more.
Get beginner tips and practical advice for every adventure, from camping under the stars to multi-week expeditions. Whether you’re a local, on a working holiday, or visiting, this podcast will inspire you to explore New Zealand deeper and connect with nature.
Listen to Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast, Stuff You Should Know and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
New Zealand