Can Te Araroa Trail survive the influx of hikers?

[wayno]

New Zealand’s 3000km Te Araroa walking trail is becoming a major drawcard for hikers, but is it sustainable?

https://www.noted.co.nz/planet/planet-p ... -of-hikers

[kakaruwai]

Great article!

[wayno]

could be a dead duck next summer... no sign of a herd immunity happening in NZ any time soon, only 1300 infected, they wont be letting people in without going through lengthy quarantine till they can get the population immunised

[lseries92]

The NZ PM and FM has floated relaxing travel restrictions for Aussies going to NZ at some stage - whether this happens or not is another thing:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-16/ ... n/12153752

This means at least some people may be able to get into NZ without the lengthy quarantine but there will be other problems like a lack of track maintenance (which is probably not a priority during a pandemic) or potential for an outbreak which causes restrictions to be ramped up again leaving you on the wrong side of a lengthy quarantine when you want to return.

[wayno]

inter regional travel discouraged at Level 2. and because of social distancing rules , public transport could be a problem.
DOC wont' open huts until it gets to level 1, in the wilderness mag.
track maintenance maybe level 2, but could still be level 1