Tararua Fever

Welcome back to another episode of Scroggin — the bonus trail mix of the show, and we’ve got a bloody good mixed bag for you in this one.

As usual, we cover off a few of the hot topics, including the proposed Barnett Peak, the possible future of Tarn Ridge Hut, and an update on the Nichols Hut replacement.

We then sit down for a yarn with Pi from the New Orleans-style band, The Crashbandihoots, talking abo...

This episode we're doing something a little different and venturing beyond the boundaries of the Tararua Ranges.

We're joined by returning guest Jonty Crane from The Tramping Life podcast to chat about his recent crossing of the rugged Aorangi Range. We hear what makes the range so unique, how it compares to the Tararua Ranges, and why this wild corner of the lower North Island deserves a spot on every tramper's bucket list.

Then in ...

Fresh out of the Scroggin bag, we're back with another bonus episode of Tararua Fever (thanks for waiting)!

This time around, we chat about the recent burst of winter weather across the ranges, the upcoming Hut Keeper film, a rescue on the Waiopehu Track, and a few interesting discussions from the Tararua Forum, including North Mangahao Biv and Punga Hut.

It's also our pleasure to welcome regular listener Rex to the p...

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 prepared in the hills. It's an honest conversation ...

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 getting in touch with stori...

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 journey visiting (and ranking) ever...

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 repeated mispronunciation of a famous actor's name

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 the w...

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 a recent faux pas...

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...

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 beyond) snaps in ...

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 announced in the new ye...

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 of the ra...

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.

Podcasts ment...

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 Public Access Commission, to discus...

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 to episode 9, Shelter ...

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 and of course, Allen with a mo...

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 the run down of what t...

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 fact been to (I am wor...