Great Walks of New Zealand
Safety Gear
The Great Walk tracks are well maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC) with numbers of hikers regulated during the Great Walks Season to protect the environment.
To complete a Great Walk you will need a hut/campsite booking. There are usually DOC rangers at the huts during the Great Walks season who have communication devices in cases of emergencies. Before you head off you will need to drop into the DOC offices to pick up your passes where staff will discuss the track, expected weather, and provide further information. Sign the visitor register at each hut so you can be tracked in cases of emergencies.
Great Walks are in remote locations and it is unlikely you will have cell phone coverage although this is changing with OneNZ launching the Satellite TXT Service. This service will soon allow customers with eligible plans and phones to txt anywhere in Aotearoa where they have a clear line of sight to the sky. For now, consider hiring a personal locator beacon especially if you are hiking solo in cases of emergencies.
Follow the Land Safety Code
Here are 5 simple rules:
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Choose the right trip for you - Know your limits. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
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Understand the weather - It can change fast. Check the forecast and change your plans if needed.
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Take sufficient supplies - Prepare for bad weather and an unexpected night out. Pack warm clothes and extra food.
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Share your plans and take ways to get help - Telling a trusted person your trip details and taking a distress beacon can save your life.
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Take care of yourself and each other - Eat, drink, rest, stick with your group and make decisions together.
Remember
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All wildlife and plants in the parks are protected. Possums are a pest, do not leave open food around.
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Please don't use any soap in the lakes or streams.
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No dogs are allowed on the walks to protect our native species.
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Fires should only be lit in designated fireplaces. Please make sure fires are extinguished properly before you leave.
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Smoking is not permitted in the huts and shelters.
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Ensure you carry all rubbish out of the track with you.
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Wasps and sandflies can be a problem. Carry insect repellent and antihistamines in your first aid kit.
The NZ Mountain Safety Council has created the free Plan My Walk app which is incredibly useful and provides a directory of hikes in NZ including maps. The app provides information with details of track distances, intensity, and any important alerts. The app can help plan your hike with gear lists and has reviews from other hikers who have completed the track giving an idea of recent conditions.
Safety Gear
First Aid Kit & Emergency Kit
At least one person in your crew should carry a First Aid Kit and Emergency Kit. There are lots of rubbish emergency kits out there that don't contain a lot of important gear you need or are cheap and of poor quality. The original first aid kit we purchased was so substandard. The scissors wouldn't even cut paper let alone the plasters we needed at the time.
An emergency kit should contain a minimum of - survival blanket or bivvi (if not carrying a tent), spare food, paper, pencil, whistle (many backpacks have whistles built in), and matches/lighter. The kit should be stored in a waterproof container. We have found adding a couple of cable ties to your kit comes in really handy to help repair gear on the trail.
If you don't have time to make your own kit and are looking for a ready-made first aid and/or emergency kit, check out some options below.
Life Systems
Life Systems make decent lightweight first aid kits that have most things you need for basic first aid and come in a waterproof bag. Most first aid kits are only designed to really help with minor injuries and basic first aid, not serious injuries requiring emergency services. The kit needs to contain appropriate gear for most basic first aid scenarios without taking up a lot of room and weight in your pack.
Life Systems offer lots of different First Aid kits depending on the activity but make sure to check the contents to ensure it meets your needs.
Kea Outdoors
For more extensive and good quality First Aid Kits and survival gear check out Kea Outdoors. Kea Outdoors has options for 'Ready to Go' and 'Build Your Own Kits' to suit any adventure. A bit more expensive but if you did find yourself in an emergency situation do you really want a cheap and nasty kit keeping you safe?
Personal Locator Beacon
For the most part there is very little if any reception on the Great Walks. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) can significantly increase the chances of getting rescued quickly when activated during an emergency. Consider hiring one especially if you are hiking alone. PLB's are expensive to buy but can be hired from Macpac outdoor stores for approx $15 per day. It can save your life.
Weather
It's important to check for any track 'alerts' to ensure you are aware of any issues before beginning the Great Walk. Track alerts can be found on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website and the Plan My Walk app. Although, it is important to be prepared for all weather, check the weather and temperature to ensure you are carrying appropriate gear for the conditions.
MetService and NIWA - provide reasonably accurate weather forecasts for the National Parks in NZ, where all the Great Walks are situated.
Plan My Walk - the Plan My Walk app also provides information on track alerts and gives reviews from recent hikers' experiences of the trail. It gives you an idea of current track conditions and hikers' opinions of whether the track was easier, as expected, or harder than anticipated.