Meeting Papa: A Journey On Te Araroa

by Michelle Campbell

Michelle is at the crossroads of her life - stuck in a 9 to 5 job going nowhere fast she suddenly decided to quit, handing in her lanyard ID to live out her dream of walking from Cape Reinga to Bluff on Te Araroa. With her ever supportive partner Jack the couple set off rapturous with newly found freedom and dreams of living their best lives. But less than a week into their journey they are faced with the true reality of what it means to walk the length of New Zealand. Emerging from the wild Northland Forests with blistered feet and wounded egos Michelle and Jack persevere - united with fellow walkers and kind strangers who encourage them to keep going, to try their luck at making it all the way to Bluff.

Genres: Adventure

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Michelle Campbell was born in Auckland, New Zealand and now lives in the small rural town of Owhango where she has a home right off Te Araroa on the fringes of Ohinetonga Reserve. Each summer she enjoys meeting new walkers on their 3,000 kilometer odyssey. Walking Te Araroa became a wānanga that continues today as she learns more aboutTe Ao Māori and traditional Māori healing methods including romiromi. Meeting Papa: A journey on Te Araroa  is her first book.  

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this at the start - great concept, and lovely personal touches - thought it tailed off.

[Patrice La Vigne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever hiked Te Araroa, you know it’s rugged and riddled with logistical and environmental challenges. Michelle tells the story about her 2016-17 thru hike with her partner with great candor and humor. There’s a healthy vulnerability when you are hiking, and Michelle succumbed to the personal growth and a stronger commitment in her relationship. I loved watching that unfold through the pages. I also loved that Michelle is a native Kiwi and still thought the trail was zany at times! I hiked in 2014-15, and Michelle paints a vivid enough picture that I felt like I was back on the trail with painful blisters, fierce wind and rain and boot-sucking mud.

[Holly Kipling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest, I did struggle to get through this book to start with. I really felt like the author focused so often on the negatives of life on trail and her experiences. Having done the trail and thoroughly enjoyed it, it was hard to read. However, it did pick up and the last quarter of the book I demolished in a single sitting.
My favourite quote was as follows: "I fell and it hurt-but I was OK. The mountains could harm me but left unmastered it was my mind capable of doing the real damage."

[Ali W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a copy of this book of Michelle when I stayed at Michelle and Jack’s airbnb earlier this year. An honest account of an amazing journey. I’m in awe of people who take this challenge on. Thanks for a great read Michelle!

[gnarlyhiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Papatūānuku: earth mother, the land-of which all things originate.

most excellent title for the book and adventure.

good luck

[Niall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. A brutal and honest account of what it's like to walk the Te Araroa Trail. We follow Michelle and her ever-loyal partner, Jack, as they go through the ups and downs of the TA trail. Very well written with frequent references to relevant cultural issues along the way and an education in New Zealand flora and bird life. Written with humour, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested in the Te Araroa.

[Aisling O Riordan Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading the honest review of the TA and the daily struggles they encountered.