Annette Lees has been an outdoor and natural world enthusiast since childhood. “My writing explores the connections between people and place,” she says, “and seeks to encourage lifelong respect and care for the natural world.” Two of her books, After Dark: Walking into the nights of Aotearoa and Swim: A year of outdoor swimming in New Zealand, were longlisted for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
She shares the three trips that have had the greatest impact on her.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Take on this terrific three-day Tararua adventure.
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Quiz
Where in NZ are the Emerald Lakes?
A - Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
B - Fiordland National Park
C - Tongariro National Park
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
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Gear review: Sea to Summit Ether Light XR
Three-season trampers who crave comfort without stepping up to a luxury mat will appreciate this mat’s thoughtful features, reasonable weight and great packability without breaking the bank.
Current Issue - Oct 2026
Circling NZ’s sleeping giant, 22 walks across private land, applications open for the 2027 Shaun Barnett Memorial Scholarship, ultralight gear reviews, gear guides, the best places for field testing your lightweight kit and dozens more stories in our latest issue.
The weekend weather at a park near you…
You can check the weather anytime on our website. Updates daily.
| Location | Today | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Hut |
 -6°/2°
|
 -3°/1°
|
 -2°/4°
|
-4°/3°
|
| Aoraki/Mt Cook VC |
 1°/12°
|
4°/10°
|
6°/14°
|
 3°/8°
|
| Arthurs Pass |
-1°/9°
|
 4°/9°
|
4°/11°
|
1°/9°
|
| Ben Lomond Summit |
 -6°/1°
|
-2°/4°
|
-1°/7°
|
 -5°/1°
|
| Brewster Hut |
-5°/2°
|
-1°/5°
|
-0°/6°
|
-4°/3°
|
| Cape Reinga |
10°/14°
|
9°/14°
|
11°/15°
|
12°/15°
|
| Karangahake Gorge |
1°/14°
|
2°/14°
|
9°/14°
|
11°/16°
|
| Kaweka J Summit |
-8°/-0°
|
-4°/3°
|
-3°/6°
|
-1°/8°
|
| McKinnon Pass |
-2°/2°
|
 -1°/6°
|
1°/6°
|
-2°/3°
|
| Mt Heale Hut |
7°/11°
|
8°/13°
|
10°/13°
|
12°/14°
|
| Mt Pirongia |
 -2°/8°
|
1°/8°
|
5°/9°
|
5°/10°
|
| Mueller Hut |
 -4°/2°
|
-1°/5°
|
-1°/5°
|
 -3°/3°
|
| Pinnacles Hut |
1°/10°
|
3°/10°
|
6°/11°
|
8°/13°
|
| Pouakai Hut |
-3°/4°
|
1°/4°
|
2°/7°
|
2°/7°
|
| Powell Hut |
-3°/4°
|
-0°/6°
|
1°/7°
|
-0°/8°
|
| Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC |
-3°/11°
|
1°/9°
|
 1°/12°
|
2°/10°
|
| Roys Peak |
-5°/5°
|
-1°/5°
|
-1°/8°
|
-4°/2°
|
| Tongariro VC |
-5°/6°
|
-1°/7°
|
1°/7°
|
3°/8°
|
| Waitawheta Hut |
1°/11°
|
2°/12°
|
7°/12°
|
9°/14°
|
| Woolshed Creek Hut |
-3°/11°
|
2°/5°
|
1°/14°
|
-1°/8°
|
Report created on 24 September, 2026 at 7:02am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.
Quiz
Answer C - Tongariro National Park
The Emerald Lakes are a group of small lakes in Tongariro National Park. They are named for their distinctive colour which comes from volcanic minerals washed down from the surrounding landscape. The lakes can be seen by hikers on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Quiz provided by Pam Hutton/PuzzleBeetle.
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