Niuean family takes on 3000km Te Araroa trail

For Jaxon Tagavaitau, walking 3058 kilometres across Aotearoa New Zealand with his family is about much more than reaching the end of a famous trail.

The Auckland-born Niuean and former New Zealand Army soldier wants his two children to learn how to face whatever life puts in front of them, one step at a time.

Tagavaitau and his wife decided to take on Te Araroa after both turned 40, choosing the family adventure instead of the usual birthday celebrations.

Their motivation grew after they discovered another family had completed the entire trail with four young children.

Speaking with Inangaro Vakaafi on PMN Niue, Tagavaitau says they are documenting the journey through their social media channels under the name, We Are Guessing.

“We Are Guessing, we've made it our family brand. It's sort of based around walking through life. We're not given a blueprint to lead this life. Our first challenge is walking Te Araroa,” Tagavaitau says.

Watch Jaxon Tagavaitau’s full interview below.

“Some people can relate to that. Sometimes you come up winning. Sometimes you come out losing. But that's just life.”

Tagavaitau and his wife have nearly 40 years of combined military experience between them, but he says taking their children into the wilderness will bring a different kind of challenge.

“We know how to live in the bush but it's another story taking your kids with you on this walk. So that's a big challenge. I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited.”

Te Araroa stretches from Cape Reinga at Te Rerenga Wairua in the north to Bluff at Motupōhue in the south.

Known as one of the world’s most scenic long-distance treks, the trail takes walkers through beaches, farmland, forests, mountains and river crossings.

A full through-walk is a major physical challenge and usually takes between 50 and 80 days per island. The official site recommends walkers need to prepare for changing terrain and weather, navigation and backcountry travel.

For the Tagavaitau family, the preparation began in January. They have slowly built up their fitness, moving from short walks in everyday clothes to carrying heavily loaded backpacks.

Tagavaitau says the journey is also a way to honour his grandparents and the opportunities they helped create for the family.

“Just thanking my grandparents, probably like every other family. They migrated over here to New Zealand to give better opportunities.

“Big shout-out to my wife. She let me be a stay-at-home dad while she goes to work. Thank you very much, darling. [To] all the viewers following us, thank you very much for the follow. [I] hope it inspires you to do whatever you want to do.”

Tagavaitau says the biggest goal is what his children will take away from the experience.

“The story I want to get out of this is purely for my kids and what life's going to throw at them. On this walk, they're going to physically and mentally experience what tough is.”

He hopes their experience will encourage other Pacific families to challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zones.

You can follow their journey on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. For more information on the Te Araroa trail, click here.