Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Summer holidays are here, and Kiwis everywhere are swapping office desks for camp chairs, laptops for loop tracks, and alarms for birdsong (the good kind, not the pūkeko screaming at 5am).
But before you lace up your boots and head for the hills, it’s time for a quick refresher on the fine art of naturing, that sweet spot where decent planning meets good vibes, and where you enjoy the outdoors without becoming “that person” in the hut book.
So, in the spirit of sunshine, snacks, and not annoying the wildlife, here’s your guide to what counts as naturing… and what absolutely does not.
Naturing is booking your huts or camp in advance.
Not naturing is turning up on Day 1 and asking if there’s “any chance of a bunk or campsite somewhere, maybe, kind of?”
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?fit=580%2C386&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?resize=580%2C386&ssl=1″ alt=”Photograph of a hut on raised timber above overgrown grass. There is a treeline behind the hutt and a mountain visible and a cloudy day.” class=”wp-image-58740″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?resize=768%2C511&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?resize=1536%2C1022&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?resize=2048%2C1363&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?resize=1200%2C799&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Boyle-Flats_Hut_St-James-Walkway_Ray-Salisbury_Hot-Pixels-Photography_O2.jpg?w=1740&ssl=1 1740w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>
Naturing is checking your gear and breaking in your boots.
Not naturing is discovering blisters the size of pancakes halfway up the track and pretending it’s “part of the experience”.
Naturing is packing for all weather, rain, sun, wind, snow, maybe a small tornado.
Not naturing is bringing only shorts and a smile because the weather app said “sunny”.
Naturing is enjoying the peace, the birds, and the quiet.
Not naturing is blasting your “Great Walks Vibes” playlist across the valley and wondering why the tūī looks offended.
Naturing is keeping a respectful distance from wildlife.
Not naturing is chasing a kea for a “funny photo” and watching it steal your lunch.
Naturing is staying on the track.
Not naturing is shortcutting through a bog because “it’ll be faster”. Spoiler: it’s not.
Naturing is reading the hut book and leaving a friendly note.
Not naturing is writing “ate all the snacks, send help” and blaming your mate.
Naturing is waking up early for sunrise.
Not naturing is hitting snooze three times, then pretending you “saw it on the way to the loo”.
Naturing is taking only photos.
Not naturing is wrestling wildlife into “the perfect shot”.
Naturing is finishing the track exhausted, proud, and a little bit wiser.
Not naturing is finishing with three wet socks, one missing tramping pole, and a strong urge to nap forever.
Naturing is respecting the track, the huts, and the wildlife.
Not naturing is trying to Instagram every step and missing the whole walk.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?fit=300%2C172&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?fit=580%2C334&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=580%2C334&ssl=1″ alt=”Photograph of a tramper wearing a hiking backpack with walking polls walking on the Kepler Track. The track is covered in native flora, including ferns and trees.” class=”wp-image-58742″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=1024%2C589&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=300%2C172&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=768%2C441&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=1536%2C883&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?resize=1200%2C690&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?w=2048&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120308_jtsg_5384_hjpg_7612097438_o_O2.jpg?w=1740&ssl=1 1740w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>
As you head off on your summer adventures, armed with bookings, boots and snacks remember that naturing is really just about experiencing our places with care, respect, and a bit of common sense.
If we all do our bit, the tracks stay tidy, the huts, camps and rangers stay happy, the kea keep their lunch-stealing reputations intact, and everyone gets to enjoy a classic Kiwi summer in nature.
So pack smart, tread lightly, laugh often… and may all your blisters be tiny.
Happy naturing!
