Eric Diamond nearly at the end of coastal walk

Eric Diamond is walking the entire East Coast of New Zealand. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Eric Diamond's boots were made for walking - after 3800km he's worn out only two pairs.

The 63-year-old arrived in Whangarei yesterday, after walking most of the length of the East Coast of New Zealand, starting at Stewart Island in November 2011.

"I thought it would take a year [to walk the length of the country] but it took [more than] two, mainly because of a few injuries," Mr Diamond said.

He expects to complete his journey to Cape Reinga - a 400 to 500km trip following the eastern coastline - over the next few months.

"I go around the coast and peninsula. I love walking on beaches and there's so many lovely beaches around these parts.

"I don't have deadlines. I like to take my time."

Mr Diamond's health is all the better for it, despite a few blisters - "only when I get a new pair of boots".

"Physically, I'm feeling really good," he said.

Called 'Poppy' by his grandchildren, he hails from Hamilton and decided to do the walk after selling his house and leaving his job in 2011.

"I suddenly had no commitments, so I thought I would give it a go."

He's spent the past few years during his walk living off savings, picking up casual work here and there along the way.

Accommodation usually consists of friends' places or friends' of friends' places, he said. "I am on a quite tight budget."

His favourite places so far include the Catlins in the South Island, and the East Cape region of the North Island.

"In Northland I love walking up the beach from Pakiri [to Mangawhai]. That's my ideal walking environment," he said.

Despite staying longer in some areas than others, Mr Diamond always goes back to the point where he left off.

Today he is heading off to Whangarei Heads. Mr Diamond said he is always looking for places to stay.