Tararua Fever

Welcome back to another episode of Scroggin — the bonus trail mix of the show, and we’ve got a bloody good mixed bag for you in this one.

As usual, we cover off a few of the hot topics, including the proposed Barnett Peak, the possible future of Tarn Ridge Hut, and an update on the Nichols Hut replacement.

We then sit down for a yarn with Pi from the New Orleans-style band, The Crashbandihoots, talking about their recent escapade, bush doofs at Powell Hut, and what it takes to clamber up with all that brass for a big Tararua mission.

As always, it’s a bit random, a bit tasty, and definitely not the place to be dropping crumbs on the track.

Got a Tararua story, question, hut yarn or something you reckon we should be talking about? Get in touch at tararua.fever@gmail.com or DM us on Facebook or Instagram.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Barnett Peak consultation:
New Zealand Geographic Board consultation⁠ https://www.linz.govt.nz/consultations/barnett-peak?

Crashbandihoots – Powell Hut trip & bush doof:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1274806997700006

Tararua Fever — anything and everything to do with the Tararua Ranges

This episode we're doing something a little different and venturing beyond the boundaries of the Tararua Ranges.
We're joined by returning guest Jonty Crane from The Tramping Life podcast to chat about his recent crossing of the rugged Aorangi Range. We hear what makes the range so unique, how it compares to the Tararua Ranges, and why this wild corner of the lower North Island deserves a spot on every tramper's bucket list.
Then in Walk N' Talk, we turn our attention back to the Tararua Ranges as we unpack the proposed Conservation Act Amendment Bill. Joining us is Nicky from Forest & Bird, who helps us explore what the proposed changes could mean for places like Tararua Forest Park and New Zealand's wider conservation estate.
If you'd like to get in touch, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at tararua.fever@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Links mentioned:
Greenpeace – Defend Conservation Land:
https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/explore/defend-conservation-land/
Forest & Bird – March for Nature:
https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/march-nature-launched-protect-conservation

Fresh out of the Scroggin bag, we're back with another bonus episode of Tararua Fever (thanks for waiting)!

This time around, we chat about the recent burst of winter weather across the ranges, the upcoming Hut Keeper film, a rescue on the Waiopehu Track, and a few interesting discussions from the Tararua Forum, including North Mangahao Biv and Punga Hut.

It's also our pleasure to welcome regular listener Rex to the podcast. He joins us to chat about a memorable mission to Maungahuka Hut via the Tararua Peaks, before we share his brilliantly written and hilarious trip report read by Jason Hoyte of Outrageous Fortune, What We Do in the Shadows and Alternative Commentary Collective fame!

So grab a handful of scroggin and settle in for another yarn about the Tararuas.

As always, if you've got a trip report, a story, or something Tararua-related you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch at tararua.fever@gmail.com.

Mentioned in this episode:
Hut Keeper official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQU_BzosFzw

Tararua Fever is back! And today we're diving straight into an episode that's all about one of the few things every tramper hopes they'll never need — search and rescue.
We begin by catching up with Graeme from TrailOff, who joins us to share the story of a day trip in the Tararua Ranges that ended with a broken ankle, a helicopter rescue, and a whole new perspective on being prepared in the hills. It's an honest conversation about how quickly things can change, even on a straightforward trip, and the lessons he's taken away from the experience.
Following on from that, we catch up with Alex Waterworth from New Zealand Land Search and Rescue. We lift the curtain on what actually happens when someone needs help in the backcountry, from the first emergency call through to the volunteers heading into the bush. Alex also shares practical advice on preparation, common mistakes, personal locator beacons, and what makes the Tararua Ranges such a uniquely challenging place to carry out rescues.
To round things out, Al returns with another tramping question in another instalment of What's it Al About? This time we're talking trip preparation — how to decide where you're going, what to take with you, and some of the simple planning that can make all the difference before you even leave home.
Whether you're new to tramping or you've been exploring the Tararuas for decades, we hope this episode leaves you a little better prepared for your next adventure and a taste of the Fever!
Remember, you can get in touch with your tramp stories, suggestions, complaints, or lavish praise via our DMs on Instagram and Facebook. You can also email us on tararua.fever@gmail.com.
We'd love to hear from you!

If you'd like to watch the TrailOff video that inspired our conversation with Graeme, you can find it here:
TrailOff – Broken ankle in the Tararua Ranges: https://youtu.be/_zGjS-hH9M0?si=Cu-xP8dMPxVxxdiP

Useful Resources:
Mountain Safety Council: www.mountainsafety.org.nz
New Zealand Land Search & Rescue – Prevention: www.landsar.org.nz/prevent/
Volunteer with New Zealand Land Search & Rescue: www.landsar.org.nz/volunteer/

Key Safety Reminders from LandSAR:
Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.
Check the weather forecast and track conditions before heading out.
Carry warm clothing, food, and emergency equipment.
Take a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator (such as an InReach).
Know how to use your equipment before you need it.
If you're injured or lost, don't wait too long to activate your PLB.

Whistle Recommendations:
Fox 40 Classic: https://www.fox40world.com/classic
Fox 40 Sharx: https://www.fox40world.com/sharx

CLASSIC | Fox 40 International
www.fox40world.com

In this latest Scroggin episode of Tararua Fever, we cast the net wide and delve into a few of the more miscellaneous corners of Tararua life.

From recent correspondence with listeners, to another visit to Kent's Cooking Corner and a discussion about one of the great comfort meals, we once again cover a lot of ground.

Along the way we also take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been getting in touch with stories, paintings and kind words. We really do appreciate it.

Finally, we're joined once again by long-time tramper, author and poet Mike Deavin. Listeners may remember Mike from our T-Files episode last year, where we delved into some of the mysteries and yarns of the Tararua Ranges. This time around he drops in for a quick catch-up before treating us to a few of his poems — a rather fitting way to finish off another helping of Scroggin.
Please enjoy!!

Remember, you can get in touch with your tramp stories, suggestions, complaints, or lavish praise via our DMs on Instagram and Facebook. You can also email us on tararua.fever@gmail.com.

We'd love to hear from you!