Napier identity Pat Magill, 88, is passionate about the benefits of walking and has been wearing out plenty of shoe leather convincing others to join the cause.
Mr Magill, a veteran social issues campaigner in the city and driving force behind Napier's Pilot City Trust, is busy door-knocking government agencies and community groups, talking to them about sponsoring an organised walk he hopes will eventually span the length of the country.
The octogenarian says the 3000km Te Araroa walking trail - which runs from Cape Reinga to Bluff - is "New Zealand's best kept secret" and is an untapped resource that has the potential to improve health, education and employment if more people took advantage of it.
Aside from the exercise benefits of walking, participants gained emotionally, spiritually and socially from being involved in a trek along part of the spectacular trail.
A five-day "hikoi with a difference" from Cape Reinga to Ahipara in Northland, which he spearheaded in January, showed the potential for rallying communities through walking, Mr Magill said.