🗓️ October 25, 2025

🏁 Kilometers : 116

Nothing too exciting to report today. I have a 15-kilometer walk ahead of me along a main road from Ahipara to Kaitaia. I thought the traffic would be lighter on this road, but cars are passing every 30 seconds. There are no sidewalks, so every time a car comes, I step onto the shoulder. It's a pain, but I want to complete the entire crossing of New Zealand, every kilometer, so I'm going to try to stick to it. Originally, the trail went through the Herekino Forest directly after Ninety Mile Beach. One of the trees in this forest, the Kauri, is a giant between 30 and 50 meters tall, and its trunk circumference often exceeds 10 meters (13 to 15 meters for the largest). A disease affecting the Kauri trees is spreading due to movement (animals and especially humans), which explains the forest's closure for many years and forces a detour on the road.

Upon arriving in Kaitaia, I quickly do the laundry so it can dry as soon as possible. I also need to buy more supplies since I'll reach the next town after five days of walking. For dinner, I'll use the hostel kitchen to make homemade chicken nuggets. And then, off to bed!