Talking the Wairarapa Walking Fest

Summer and Tilly learn, explore and connect on the walk.

“Learn, explore, connect! Ako, hōpara, hono!” is the motto of the Wairarapa Walking Festival, now in its third year. 

The varied November programme, with 26 walks, has been launched by Ra Smith and Gareth Winter, two awesome local speakers. 

Celia Wade-Brown, Festival founder says “everyone can learn plenty from these fascinating talks about early walkers.” Videos are available via our Wairarapa Walking Festival Facebook page.

Several walks have charter buses, thanks to Metlink and Transit. 

Tracey Higgins, co-convenor, says that “anyone who wants to relax, keep their carbon footprint down, or doesn’t have a car available, is welcome,”

Locations: Gladstone Wine & Olives, Castlepoint New Migrants, Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae, Wairio Wetlands, Homewood Storeroom, Putangirua Pinnacles, Pūkaha Lookout and Kaiwaiwai Dairies.

Registration is essential! Three walks on Fridays meet the Wellington trains: Gladstone Wine and Olives, Featherston Books and Coffee, and our Rainbow Walk. Several others tie in with the regular 200 bus.

This year we are reaching out to minority groups to get everyone walking and feeling welcome. Allies and friends are also appreciated. The Pasifika Family Walk is a gentle one-hour for families, starting from the Masterton Netball Courts. Rainbow connects with the Wellington train and is a short walk, followed by buy-your-own food and drink in Carterton, home to the late great Georgina Beyer MNZM. Wai-Blind is organising a short walk in Queen Elizabeth Park and encourages anyone with any vision or mobility challenges, and those who support them, to join in this super-accessible walk.

Dogs are especially welcome on the Wairarapa Dogwalk Club walk in Kiriwhakapapa. A highlight in Martinborough is the StoryWalk® led by Wairarapa Library Services.

This year we connect with several year-round groups: Orienteering Wairarapa, Ruamāhanga Ramblers, parkrun, Wairarapa DogWalk Club and Martinborough Friday Walkers. Three tramping clubs are leading more challenging walks to explore the wilder parts of the Wairarapa.

Several hospitality businesses are part of the 2023 Festival: Leafyridge Olives, Urlar and Ngā Pari vineyards, Homewood Store, The Marquis of Normanby and The Royal Hotel. A new sponsor is the Masterton Foot Clinic, which will keep your walking comfortable! There is also an interview with Walking Magazine editor, supported by WaiWord.

Most of our walks are free but do register so you don’t miss out! 

Find us at:  www.cartertonec.co.nz/walking