Tararua Fever

Tararua Fever is back! And today we're diving straight into an episode that's all about one of the few things every tramper hopes they'll never need — search and rescue. We begin by catching up with Graeme from TrailOff, who joins us to share the story of a day trip in the Tararua Ranges that ended with a broken ankle, a helicopter rescue, and a whole new perspective on being prepar...

In this latest Scroggin episode of Tararua Fever, we cast the net wide and delve into a few of the more miscellaneous corners of Tararua life. From recent correspondence with listeners, to another visit to Kent's Cooking Corner and a discussion about one of the great comfort meals, we once again cover a lot of ground. Along the way we also take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been g...

In this episode of Tararua Fever we have two fantastic interviewees!  First we have Sarah White from the Tararua Tramping club, who talks us through the challenges of leading a group tramp. Kent and Jerry discuss a testing time when having a leader would have been helpful, and reflect on their changing approach to leadership. We then have Anna Watson for Walk n Talk, who talks about her amazing jo...

You've waited long enough Fever fans! We're back with a little something to get you through the week. This bag of Scroggin may contain: The photo competition results with Ash Rockett!! (our selections are up on Insta and Facebook) Recipes from the last tramp in Kent's Cooking Corner A resolution to the latest drama with Nick Goodall The usual idle chit chat (but the good kind) The r...

We’re back again — and sorry for the wait folks! On this episode of Tararua Fever, we set out with plans to tackle the Dundas Range… but the Tararuas had other ideas. With the range throwing up its usual mix of weather and uncertainty, the trip quickly becomes about reading conditions, making calls, and figuring out what’s actually worth pushing for — with a bit of running commentary from us along...

In this Scroggin episode of Tararua Fever we dive into a few of the more… non-essential matters of the Tararua Ranges. From “Is it a bird of the Tararua Ranges, or is it my son?”, to Andrew Thompson absolutely sending it across the Northern Crossing on the way to a party (link below), and the legendary brass band gig recently held at Powell Hut by the Crash Bandihoots. Along the way we also unpack...

We’re back with our first full episode of 2026 — and the fever hasn’t eased. We kick things off with Kent and I talking about one of the classic Tararua dilemmas: how hard it is to go deep into the range, touch the tops, and still leave enough time (and legs) to get out again. On paper it always looks doable. In reality… it’s the Tararua Ranges. We’re then joined by Andrew Thompson, organiser of t...

We’re back! Hope you’ve all been enjoying some good time out in the hills — and maybe catching a bit of Tararua Fever along the way. On this quick Scroggin episode of Tararua Fever, Kent and I are just checking in to provide a small update on the photo competition and a look ahead at some upcoming interviews on the podcast. Photo competition entries are open — send your favourite Tararua (and beyo...

We’re rounding out the year with a Scroggin-style episode of Tararua Fever . Kent and I kick things off with a quick recap of the year that’s been for the podcast, reflecting on the season in a couple of minutes (give or take). We also announce a very loosely organised photo competition, so start sending through your favourite snaps from the Tararua Ranges and beyond — judges and prizes to be anno...

On this episode of Tararua Fever we’re looking at the Ladder in the Wilderness. That’s right — the peaks of the Tararua Ranges. We speak with two seasoned trampers about their experiences navigating the precarious nature of the steep ridgeline, and arguably the most remote ladder imaginable. Kent and I then bring things back down to earth (somewhat) with Al and Knob of the Week, where another knob...

In this episode of Scroggin, we’re tearing open the trail-mix mystery bag and diving straight into the good stuff. I’m joined by Kent this week as we cover some cool tramping-related podcasts, talk through a few of the significant slips from across the Tararua ranges, and debut a brand-new segment Kent’s bringing to the show! Trail mix in one hand, chaos in the other — that’s the Fever way. Podcas...

On this 11th November episode of Tararua Fever, seeing is believing and I am joined by my co-host Kent where we are timing it within range of Halloween and discussing amongst other things, the Ghosts of the Tararua Ranges ! Join us as we go deep into some mysteries of the hills with our special guest.  We are then joined for Walk' N Talk with David Barnes from the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the...

Welcome to the first episode of Scroggin, the quick snack between the main Tararua Fever episodes to keep you satiated. On this first ep, I have a small update on the ‘expecting’ situation from the previous episodes baby shower tramp. I also cover a little bit of what we consider might be hot on the Tararua Facebook Forum by way of a photo library of huts current and historic and how it links well...

In this latest episode of Tararua Fever, the format is slightly tweaked again due to small-big announcement for my partner, Lex and I, that may change things for our tramping experiences for the next wee while. So, what better way to celebrate than by literally heading into the Tararua hills with a bunch of my best mates – so join us as we venture to Waitewaewae for the weekend with a few laughs a...

Welcome back to episode 9, ‘Shelter from the Storm’ - not the famous book, or the song, but it is all about the huts of the Tararua Ranges where we cover off some of the variables to think about when your trips involve the use of different types of huts and variables to take into account when tramping to them. We are then joined by the lovely folks from the Victoria University Tramping Club to get...

On episode 8, “The Best Backyard in the World (?!)”, is it a rhetorical question ? You bet your fever symptoms it is ! I am joined my mum and dad briefly to talk about some of the different things to think about for getting in and out of the access points and how logistics at times can be a little tricky. Allen also joins me for some Knob of the Week chat addressing one of the knobs that I have in...

For Episode 7, Getting away for the SK, I am joined again by Allen, where we get deep into why I prefer tramping with mates over solo tramping – and then I share a trip that I indeed did do by myself. A tramp I like to call the Western Crossing from Kapakapanui to Kaitoke !  I am then joined by Tararua adventure extraordinaire, Andy Carruthers for Walk n Talk, where we discuss his documentary, Tar...

Sorry about the wait Folks ! On this post-Easter episode (6), I am joined by another good friend Kent. We relive our adventure of river walking up the Eastern Waitewaewae River to Island Forks and recount all the reasons why, if you have not been there or have not heard of it, you should go check it out !   I am then, as always, joined by a special guest for Walk n Talk. This time it's a memb...

On this episode of Tararua Fever we are slip'n and slid'n to the Forks in more ways than one - We start with a quick and small Tararua101 on the main rivers of the Tararua Ranges - But do not worry, the 101 will extend a bit more each ep on different topics. I am then joined by my good friend Georgia about our Winter trip a while ago to Neil Forks and speak about despite it being a strai...

Join us for Episode 4, ‘Ampin for Campin’ where my best mate, Al, and I, go on a tramp and the camp out for the night. We face the literal ups and downs of the rugged Tarurua ranges,  stare down in to the abyss (cliff tops) from great heights, come face to face with possum monsters and more !  I am then joined by a very cool member of the Tararua Tramping Club to discuss a bit about who and what t...

In Episode 3 of Tararua Fever, I am joined by my lovely darling to discuss a ‘coast-to-coast’ trip we did a year ago that went from the Holdsworth road end in the Wairarapa, to up and over Maungahuka and out to the Kapiti Coast. We discuss the literal and metaphorical highs and lows of that trip and some of the particularly gnarly sections of coming off Maungahuka – Yikes !   I then turn to a spec...

In Episode 2 of Tararua Fever I explore the difficulty of planning a nice easy stroll in the Tararua Ranges. I speak of a previous trip with some friends where we had to slightly pivot on the original plan. I look into what we were looking for in an ‘easy trip’ for the weekend and a lesson learnt for me in not underestimating distances and difficulty that can come up with any trip.  I also host a...

In this first episode of Tararua Fever I introduce the concept of what this podcast is all about, who I am, why I love tramping in the Tararua Ranges and a segment on a previous tramp of the Northern Crossing. I then host the first interview with a very special guest about a another past trip we have done.  The quality of the recording is below average, and this is my first time as a podcaster, bu...