Rural Women NZ Challenge to Walk The Length of New Zealand : Rural Women NZ

On 29 April Rural Women New Zealand members and friends will be pulling on their walking shoes and attempting to walk the length of New Zealand.

“It’s all part of a global challenge initiated by the international organisation, the Associated Country Women of the World,” says RWNZ national president, Liz Evans. “The aim is to raise funds for projects that will help rural women in developing countries step up out of poverty.”

At around 10 am local time, women’s groups from the four corners of the earth will begin walking, as part of this ‘Women Walk the World’ event.

Rural Women NZ members have organised some exciting walks, and will be tallying their total distances towards the goal of walking 1600 kilometres – the approximate length of New Zealand.

Some walkers are being sponsored, while other groups are charging a small entry fee to raise funds.

To help keep track of distances walked, the New Zealand Walking Access Commission has kindly sponsored a number of pedometers for each group.

Members of the public are welcome to join in. Here’s where we’ll be walking:

Lions Reserve, Blenheim;

Te Awamutu Walk of Fame and Pioneer Walk;

Te Awamutu 10km street walk; Scotts Ferry to Bulls relay walk;

‘The Hobbit’ area walk, Waikato;

Mt John Station to Lake Alexandrina South huts, Lake Tekapo;

Kainui Lake Walk, Waikato;

Hamilton street walk, Waikato;

Hamilton Lake walk, Waikato

Lawrence walk, Otago;

Golden Bay (Farewell Spit, Parapara Domain or Ferry Point depending on weather);

Carrington Way, Stratford, Taranaki;

New Plymouth Walkway, Taranaki;

Onewhero, Franklin;

part of the Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough Sounds

Taihape, Rangitikei Triangle

Marton, Rangitikei, 4km walk

All events will take place on 29 April except the St Arnaud walk, starting at Lake Rotoiti School, which is being held on 27 April.

Rural Women New Zealand is an affiliate member of the Associated Country Women of the World.

For further information about the walking events listed above, and local contact people, please email
[email protected] or call (04) 473 5524.