New Zealand – Great walks to celebrate history and identity

The Great Walks are New Zealand’s most popular multi-day hikes, providing unparalleled access to some of the country’s most incredible natural landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage. They’ve become a popular drawcard for both domestic and international visitors.

The Great Walks were created in 1992, to manage iconic tracks that were becoming overwhelmed with walkers camping anywhere near the track. The protections put in place on Great Walks include limiting numbers through a booking service for a set amount of hut and campsite spaces, limits on concessionaire activities and the introduction of by-laws that require people to stay in huts and designated campsites.

Efforts were also increased to protect and restore the biodiversity along these walks in partnership with mana whenua – iwi, hapū and whānau, community groups and businesses.