Hazel Phillips shares her deep love for Tongariro National Park and the wild stories behind her new book Fire and Ice. Living in Ohakune, Hazel has spent years exploring Ruapehu and Tongariro, uncovering hidden huts, old memorials, and the impacts of receding glaciers. She talks about Ruapehu Crater lake’s surprising tourism past, the spiritual significance of Ngāuruhoe, and why intent matters when we explore sacred places. Hazel shares her Mallowpuff altitude test, favourite swimming holes, and tips on how to find off-track adventures using a topo map. This episode is full of practical advice for exploring the park for newbies and seasoned trampers.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Hazel on Instagram: instagram.com/hazelphilli/

Get her book: Fire and Ice: Secrets, histories, treasures and mysteries of Tongariro National Park

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Host Abigail Hannah speaks with her husband Isaac about their dream to live on the road full-time in a van. Their journey began in 2020, with a $2,800 Mitsubishi van and they have now completed their $60k home-on-wheels build. Isaac shares the process of self-containment regulations and how to build a basic setup with simple tools. They discuss their favourite features of each van and the lessons learnt through each design process. Abigail breaks down cost expenses for their current dream van and the products that have truly taken this build to the next level. They share their excitement to live off-grid, travel New Zealand slowly and explore in new ways.

This episode is brought to you by Dometic, the brand I’ve personally chosen for my own van build and off-grid adventures. Shop online now: ⁠www.dometic.com⁠

• Fridge: Dometic NRX 80C
• Induction cooktop: Dometic CVI1525
• Basin: Dometic VA8000
• eSYSTEM pre-wired board: Enerdrive eSYS-D
• Solar Panel: Enerdrive 190W Fixed Mono Solar Panel
• Battery: Enerdrive B-TEC 12V 200Ah G2 Lithium Battery
• Inverter: Enerdrive 2000W 12V True Sine Wave Inverter

Follow Dometic on Instagram: instagram.com/dometic

Follow Enerdrive on Instagram: instagram.com/enerdrive_australia/

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

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The Hump Ridge Track is New Zealand's newest Great Walk, and Helen Griffiths was pushed to her limits as she experiences the best and worst day of her life on the trail. Helen is a photographer, originally from the UK, and found herself stuck in New Zealand during the Covid pandemic. She has a love for slow travel and exploring deeply, rather than quickly. Helen shares about her experience on the Hump Ridge track, where she was challenged immensely, while also having the most incredible experience and memories. She shares her thoughts and advice around how to be mindful when you travel and the importance of connecting with the land around you.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Helen on Instagram: instagram.com/_helengriffiths/

www.helengriffiths.co

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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Ivan Polyntcev started ultra-swimming - an elite open-water sport - less than six years ago, after moving to New Zealand. As a professional dancer, Ivan wanted a new sport to get into competitively. He started swimming in the ocean and soon he was hooked. Ivan attempted to cross the Cook Strait two years ago, but didn't even get in the water to start. He shares about the mental and physical journey to return and attempt the crossing a second time. His accomplishment makes him one of 200 people in the world that have swum the Cook Strait and it is globally infamous for its powerful tides, unpredictable currents, wildlife, and hazardous conditions. Ivan shares the lows and highs of the crossing, the logistical preparation and what might be next for him in ultra-swimming.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Ivan on Instagram: instagram.com/ivan.swims/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Abigail Hannah had the privilege of being interviewed on the Kiwi Yarns podcast with Brodie Kane. Listen to the full episode on all major platforms.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYmBtr9kk5Y

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FEtXmUxF1gbzovTpKsGHO

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/kiwi-yarns/id1516048486

And follow Abigail on Instagram for some exciting news: instagram.com/abigailhannnah

Sophie Wakelin is a doctor, who quit her job in Wellington to spend time travelling. Over three months in the South Island, she slept out of her car and bagged 67 huts from Nelson Lakes to Rakiura Stewart Island. Sophie shares her top three favourite huts, including Mataketake Hut that required a second attempt to get to. She shares the challenges she faced while tramping solo, how to grow your confidence in the outdoors and plenty of ideas for your next South Island tramp or hut bagging mission.

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today.

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Sophie on Instagram: instagram.com/dr_sophs/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Please leave a review for Aotearoa Adventures on Spotify or Apple.

Find your next adventure inspo here: PODCAST EPISODE DIRECTORY

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Life is life-ing at the moment for host Abigail Hannah as she is in a period of transition both personally and in business. She is taking a break this week to go tramping with whānau and will be back next week with another epic guest episode.

In the meantime, go ahead and binge some previous episodes or re-listen to your favourites.

Until next time, keep adventuring!

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

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Jacq Nesbit started tramping in adulthood and she shares about walking the Heaphy Track from Karamea to Collingwood. Jacq managed to find last-minute tickets on Monday to start the Great Walk on a Thursday - and be back in time for work the following Monday. She details what to expect each day on the Heaphy Track. At 85km, it is the longest Great Walk and often overlooked due to the complex logistics. Jacq shares the best options for shuttle, what to take with you in your pack, as well as her favourite moments from the trail.

Heaphy Track bookings for the 25/26 season open on 15 May 2025: ⁠https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/online-bookings/⁠

Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip today.

• Get my NZ Map & Guide
• Book your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Jacq on Instagram: instagram.com/feet.first.nz/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Get my NZ Map & Guide