A travel book of vivid encounters with the New Zealand's people and landscape along its famous long trail. When journalist Geoff Chapple wrote a newspaper article that set out a vision for a 2600-km hiking trail the length of New Zealand, he never imagined that he would become the trail blazer. Over five years he talked to farmers and landowners, seeing where the route might be possible. He then walked every step of an adventurous and remote off-road trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Chapple set up a trail-building and fund-raising body, the Te Araroa Trust, that has enlisted the support of mayors and councillors throughout New Zealand. Now hundreds of New Zealanders and overseas visitors walk all or part of the trail every year. This is the story of how an individual took up a dream and single-mindedly created a heritage for future generations to enjoy. 'I admire his energy and creativity and support the vision of a national trail. ' Sir Edmund Hillary ' A fine far-sighted quest.' Michael King