Te Araroa is a 3000km trail that runs from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
There are hopes the country's longest trail will become the world's first regenerative through-hike.
Te Araroa is a 3000km trail that runs from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
Te Araroa Trust executive director Matt Claridge said its new project was aiming to become more connected with the walker, local communities and the environment.
"It's the ultimate outcome that every walker will leave Te Araroa a better place for future generations to enjoy," Claridge said.
"We want a trail where walkers feel a sense of place and belonging."
Part of the process was finding out what the ideal number of walkers was, what infrastructure it needed to accommodate them, and how sustainable the trail was, he said.
"You don't create change without knowing what motivates people, what their values are and why they do things.
"With that understanding we can then move towards changing people's attitudes, changing people's behaviours."
Claridge hoped to encourage walkers and trail partners to invest in environmental initiatives including predator trapping, maintenance and tree planting while providing better facilities and services.
"I think most importantly, we'll engage with local iwi, trail communities and volunteers so that we take a broader view, and we deliver a far greater experience for those involved and connected to Te Araroa."
Claridge spoke at the fifth annual University of Otago Tourism Policy School this week.
