Club of the Week: Enjoy outdoor pursuits with Tauranga Hikoi Tramping Group

Tauranga Hikoi Tramping Group members love getting close to nature, especially in their own backyard, and are looking for new members to join their fun outdoor pursuits.

The club was founded about 15 years ago by a group of people, some whom were originally members of the Tauranga Tramping Club.

Hikoi Tramping Group spokeswoman Ans Weber said members meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays on alternate weeks for a mid-week tramp to see more of the Kaimai Range.

Other times the group tramps further afield, she said.

For instance, the group was heading to Kohe Point, Whakatāne for a five- to six- hour tramp on Thursday, if the weather co-operated.

Weber said the yearly programme of events was decided on by members. It always included regular local and much longer expeditions at least three to four times a year.

"We are more of a social group of like-minded people who just love tramping, enjoying the wilderness, taking in the sights and learning from each other during the experience.

"Our group is quite different than some other tramping clubs which want to go hard out, we prefer to walk at a more relaxed pace but at the time still challenge ourselves."

Weber said the group also had a strong conservation aspect and it was associated with Kaimai Ridgway Trust and helped to maintain the track at least twice a year.

Members range in age from their 40 to mid-70s but anyone is welcome to join as long as they have a reasonable level of fitness, she said.

"We have about 50 members on our mailing list but most weeks we have eight to 10 people take part on the mid-week tramps, and often we have members' children or grandchildren join us during the school holidays."

Weber said to join there were no subscription fees, nor clubrooms to maintain, and the only cost was to help pay for transport costs to and from venues.

If anyone is interested in finding out more email ans.weber@hotmail.co.nz or call her on 07 577 0997.