Anurag Sharma always imagined walking Te Araroa, one of the world's most diverse long-distance trails, in his 50s.
But life took a turn four years ago when his mother passed away.
"She was fit as a fiddle until her 40s," said Sharma, 36.
"That was a big trigger for me. Who knows where I'll be when I'm 58? So, three years ago, I decided to give it a crack," he said.
Now based in Wellington as an analyst, he only took up hiking in 2018.
Born in Patiala, India, his family moved to Auckland in 2002.
After three years of meticulous planning and saving, he set off from Bluff on 18 November and is now making his way north towards Cape Reinga.
Te Araroa spans about 3000 kilometres across New Zealand, weaving through mountains, volcanoes, plains, rivers, cities and rural towns.
According to the Te Araroa Trust, which looks after the trail, approximately 2000 walkers complete the trail each year.
"One of the most surprising facts I learned is that less than a quarter of Te Araroa walkers are from New Zealand," Sharma said.
"And the Indian community is even further behind. Out of the estimated 3000 people who walked the trail this year, I think I met maybe three other Indians," he said.
Sharma believed that cultural and economic factors played a role in this underrepresentation.
"I think if you're migrating to a new country, you're sort of in survival mode. You don't necessarily have the opportunity to do a trail like this," he said.
"I feel so privileged to be in a position where I could quit my job and do something like this," he said.
Te Araroa, spanning approximately 3000 kilometers across New Zealand, is one of the world's most diverse long-distance trails. Photo: Supplied / Anurag Sharma
Sharma noted that hiking had yet to gain popularity within the community.
He highlighted the immense physical and mental demands of the trail.
"I went through stretches of four or five days in the South Island where I didn't see another human," he said.
"For the first couple of weeks, it was the physical challenge," he added, "but to be honest, after that the mental challenge has been the hardest."
Asked what he missed most, Sharma didn't hesitate.
"My partner, definitely," he said. "But also, the simple comforts of daily life. I always tell everyone, the thing I'm looking forward to most is my pillow. And watching sports."
Despite the hardships, he described the journey as transformative.
"I've had moments - deep in an ancient forest, atop a mountain or wading through a river - where I just stop and think how lucky I am to experience this country like this."
Anurag Sharma will complete his Te Araroa trail in Cape Reinga. Photo: 123RF
Encouraging others to take on the challenge, Sharma said aspiring hikers should prepare thoroughly and start small.
"It took me three years of saving and planning. Start with multi-day hikes before tackling Te Araroa," he said.
"Definitely investing in the right gear is important," he said.
"Things like a personal locator beacon and even learning how to read a compass and a map - those things can come in handy because, again, the trail is quite good, but it is one of the most rugged through hikes in the world."
Sharma wanted to use his journey to raise funds for 10 charities: Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, The Fred Hollows Foundation, I Am Hope, Just Speak, KidsCan, Movember NZ, Oxfam Aotearoa, Te Araroa Trust, Wellington City Mission and Wellington Women's Refuge.
The 36-year-old is not the only hiker of Indian origin in New Zealand who has walked long distances for charity in recent months.
In February, Dinesh Ravi, in collaboration with Tamil Sangam Waikato and DK Fusion, walked from Hamilton Gardens to Auckland Domain to raise awareness about obesity, diabetes, heart disease and mental health.
Ravi, 38, works in IT and is also a part-time personal trainer at City Fitness Ruakura in Hamilton.
Dinesh Ravi walked from Hamilton to Auckland in February. Photo: Supplied
He said the walk was aimed at inspiring healthier lifestyles and to connect communities.
"I wanted to create awareness about fitness, and walking is the easiest way to get started," Ravi said.
"New Zealand has an obesity problem, and I want everyone to embrace fitness and exercise. I also love giving back to the community, so I thought walking to Auckland to raise funds would be a great idea," he added.
Born in Chennai, India, Ravi moved to New Zealand in 2017.
He completed the 140-kilometer walk from Hamilton to Auckland in three days.
"It was tough, but I think I'll do it every year," he said.
For Sharma, the experience is about more than just completing the trail - it's about shifting perspectives.
"I would love to see more people from the Indian community out here," he said.
He hoped more people from the community would recognize the benefits of outdoor exploration and adventure.
"We live in a beautiful country where the biggest animal you have to worry about is a possum," Sharma said. "There is one fantastic way to experience it, and that is to walk it."
This article was published by RNZ
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