In early 2005, I registered the wildvista.com and wildvista.co.uk domain names. This was not long after I’d spent the best part of a year in New Zealand, latterly working, but having spent the first five months trekking (or tramping as the Kiwis have it) throughout this stunning country.

During that period, I explored landscapes as diverse as the 2500m ice-encrusted volcanic cone of Taranaki and the pristine temperate rainforests of remote Fiordland. With the best part of half-a-year unfettered by a full-time job and the associated frustrations and minutiae of the daily nine-to-five, I really got under the skin of New Zealand. And New Zealand got under my skin.

Taking a break at Crucible Lake, Aspiring, New Zealand.

With little interest in patronising the adrenaline-driven, meticulously organised, “adventure” tourism outfits that play such a large part in attracting thrill-seeking travellers to NZ, I’d instead set my mind on spending time trekking in the backcountry.

Though not so immediately accessible to all as bungee-jumping or jet-boat rides — safe, independent back-country travel away from the easier tracks and ‘Great Walks’ really does require at least some basic skills and experience in map reading & navigation, ability to cope with steep and rough terrain, river crossing techniques, and of course, fitness — the opportunities for trekking in New Zealand are virtually boundless. And anyone with, for example, hillwalking experience in the UK, can get out and explore this incredibly diverse landscape, getting away from the beaten tracks, and having a real adventure.

Now, I’d like to put my experiences to good use by putting together an online guide to trekking in New Zealand. This is still very much in the early design stages, but is intended to provide a useful starting point for those planning an independent trekking holiday in New Zealand. If you’ve got any thoughts about the types of information you’d like to see on such a site, I’d be interested to know!