The Long Way Home

Bruce Hopkins takes his father and brother's ashes back home to Stewart Island. But he’s taking the long way there; walking the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa trail.

Hosted by Bruce Hopkins

Illustration of the country New Zealand with a dotted walking line from the top of the North Island to Stewart Island. The text in front of this reads "Bruce Hopkins, The Long Way Home". The 'O' in 'Long' is an illustrated compass, and an illustration of a tramping pack sits under the word "Way".

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The Long Way Home

Episode 1
Whenua, whakapapa, whanau. Bruce Hopkins walks Te Araroa to take his father and brother's ashes back home to Stewart Island.
A portrait of Bill Hopkins, Bruce's dad.

90 Mile Beach

Episode 2
With a heavy pack and a lot of nerves, Bruce is underway, measuring the length of 90 Mile Beach and recalling dangerous days fishing off the Northland coast.
An image of a fellow trail walker in the distance on 90 Mile Beach.

Four Forests in Four Days

Episode 3
Dreaming of ginger beer and ice cream, Bruce climbs the high hills of the Northland forests to get back to his old home in the Bay of Islands.
A head and shoulders shot of Bruce Hopkins huddling in his rain jacket.

Lost and Found

Episode 4
Bruce meets old friends and new on the trail south of Russell but an unexpected event puts the future in doubt.
A view up the trunk of Tane Moana.

Bung

Episode 5
After an accident on the trail, The Long Way Home gets just that little bit longer for Bruce Hopkins.
Bruising and cellulitis brings the trail to a temporary halt.

Blue and Fortunate Water

Episode 6
While he recovers from injury, Bruce recalls a conversation with Te Araroa founder Geoff Chapple.
Geoff Chapple crossing a river on Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail.

Take Two

Episode 7
After a frustrating injury break, Bruce Hopkins is back on the trail once more, beginning again from where he was forced to stop.
Bruce tests out his injury on a walk around the Auckland waterfront.

Have You Seen My Father and Brother

Episode 8
On a rest day in Auckland, disaster strikes when Bruce loses something irreplaceable.
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High and Dry

Episode 9
Bruce has a brainwave - but it's a bit too late.
Bruce pulls a face as he poses in front of the Waikato river.

Hop, Skip and Jump

Episode 10
Bruce Hopkins hunkers down in Te Kuiti and meets a couple with a fascinating tale to tell.
Bruce goes eye to eye with a replica bull in the town of Bulls.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Episode 11
Bruce Hopkins beds down in a DOC Hut - in someone's backyard!
Whiowhio Hut, in the backyard of Fiona and Anthony's home in Palmerston North.

The 1000 Yard Stare

Episode 12
Bruce Hopkins takes time out from walking Te Araroa to catch up with RNZ producer Justin Gregory.
A portrait of Bruce Hopkins at home in Auckland, staring into the sun and wondering when he will get back on the trail.

Another World

Episode 13
4th generation Stewart Islander Bruce Hopkins chats to 3rd generation Islander Colleen Hopkins - his mum.
A young Colleen poses for the camera. Taken on Stewart Island.

A Bit of a Jigsaw Puzzle

Episode 14
Bruce Hopkins fills in some of the missing pieces of Te Araroa jigsaw puzzle.
You can't beat Wellington on a good day; the view from Mount Kaukau,

A Bit of a Dogleg

Episode 15
Bruce Hopkins faces yet another setback. This one might be a bit more serious.
It's been a tough few weeks but Bruce can still smile.

Dances with Bulls

Episode 16
After an extended layoff Bruce is given a roaring send off when he resumes his journey.
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As if the Jigsaw Puzzle Wasn't Hard Enough

Episode 17
Bruce Hopkins fills in more of the bits he has missed on the Te Araroa trail.
Call me crazy but this young Dutch couple have done over 4,000 kms on the Trail on fixed frame bikes!

Mist and Magnificence

Episode 18
Bruce Hopkins takes on the Tongariro Crossing against the flow of trampers coming the other way.
Tongariro looms large

Whanganui Whānau

Episode 19
Bruce Hopkins spends five fabulous days on the Whanganui River. He finds some amazing friends and (not-so-amazingly) retains his reputation for losing stuff.
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A Tumble in the Tararuas

Episode 20
At last Bruce finishes off the North Island section of Te Araroa Trail - but not without a close shave in the tops of the Tararuas.
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Queen of the Cicadas

Episode 21
Bruce Hopkins is in Te Wai Pounamu, beginning the second leg of Te Araroa.
Bruce on the jetty at Ship's Cove, ready to start the South Island leg of Te Araroa.

Late Starts and Duck Farts

Episode 22
The big climb begins! Bruce takes on the Richmond Ranges.
An image of a rock cairn, high on a ridge line, very useful for identifying the trail.

The Smell of Fear

Episode 23
As he traverses the Richmond Ranges, Bruce Hopkins solves an age-old mystery.
An image of a sheer scree slope with a barely-there trail on the side.

Eat All the Pizza!

Episode 24
Bruce Hopkins begins his crossing of Waiau pass, but is dreaming of other things.
A view of Blue Lake from high above.

The Big Three

Episode 25
Bruce Hopkins ticks off the last of three big challenges on Te Araroa.
A view looking up to a high and sharp peak in Waiau Pass.

Reaching the Topp

Episode 26
Bruce meets up with some hunters in the hills before finding a long lost friend and then dropping in on Lynda Topp.
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Ford Every Stream

Episode 27
50 rivers in one day? That's nothing for Bruce Hopkins.
TA walker Abbie shows off her sandals.

Going for the Record

Episode 28
Weddings and wading knee-deep in snow on the way to Wanaka... it's been a bit of a week for Bruce Hopkins.
A view across Lake Ohau with a snowy peak in the background.

Come On Over

Episode 29
Bruce Hopkins is still hoping he'll meet Shania Twain. It's not looking likely.
Bruce Hopkins contemplates the future, with a pancake hanging half out of his mouth.

Southland Slog

Episode 30
Bruce Hopkins does not love the mud in Southland.
A portrait of Bruce Hopkins in heavy rain in Southland.

Home

Episode 31
Is this it? Has Bruce Hopkins finally made it all the way home?
Bruce Hopkins poses underneath the Bluff signpost, the official end of Te Araroa.

Haere ra

Episode 32
The final episode of The Long Way Home.
Sub zero sleeping on Tongariro

Introducing The Long Way Home

Trailer
Whenua, whakapapa, whanau. In a new podcast series available from 16 October, Bruce Hopkins walks Te Araroa to take his father and brother's ashes back home to Stewart Island.
Bruce Hopkins.

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