Tim Dower: Why I'm feeling more hope

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · Dec 15, 2021 · 2m

I come to the programme this morning with a feeling of hope after seeing something yesterday that I haven't seen in well over a year.

Backpackers.

A group of four of them, in their 20s, walking the Te Araroa trail together.

All three thousand kilometres of it.

Te Araroa should be on every young New Zealander's bucket list, it stretches all the way from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

And bit by bit, as we recognise the value of it, old tracks are being improved, new ones built and little gaps are being closed with new connections.

I crossed paths with the group as they were about 400ks into the…