Day 6 - Mangamuka

I walked out of Kaitaia on the main highway which was unnerving because of how little space I had on the road. Everyone else hitched this 5km section and passed me.

No shoulders in this country 

Eventually however I reached the New Zealand country side and started my way over a mountain range, Takahue Saddle. I passed a group of 5 walkers who had very heavy looking packs and were resorting to scavenging bamboo stalks out of the ditch to use as walking sticks. Best of luck to them. 

11am photo. 

Yet again today there was a closure on a forest track forcing a diversion through two small towns. This time it was due to a winter storm that caused landslides and hundreds of downed trees. It even took out the main highway to the North.  

Beautiful backcountry roads

I reached the town of Broadwood and found the two Belgians who were setting out to hitchhike the long road section to the next town. I said I would camp here walk to the next town tomorrow. However, a while later, the local dairy(convenience store) owner came around and offered me a lift to the next town. Yet again I found it hard to say no to the generosity. But I felt guilty, like cheating, even though 95% of people do it. I’m not sure I’ll take a ride after this. 

I reached camp at the next town of Mangamuka where the locals were putting up the Te Araroa walkers in an old hotel turned radio station building. Normally walkers would not be in this town, but the locals were generous enough to put us up. The radio station as it turned out was entirely broadcasted in Māori.

My camp in the back.