Hindu Women Forum's Tongariro Crossing Draws 20 Walkers After 2025 Fire

14 October 2026

Twenty people walked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on Saturday as part of a programme aimed at getting women from New Zealand's Hindu community into the outdoors. For several of them, it was their first time on the crossing.

It was the third crossing organised by Hindu Women Forum New Zealand, part of the Hindu Council of New Zealand. It drew the biggest group yet, after a crossing planned for last year was cancelled because of a major fire in Tongariro National Park.

The group took about eight hours to complete the 20.2-kilometre route.

Growing numbers

The programme was started in 2024 by Hindu Council president Dr Guna Magesan.

The council says the third crossing shows continuing interest in the programme.

The cancelled 2025 crossing gave Saturday's walk extra meaning for some. The fire broke out in the national park shortly before that event was due to take place.

A tough walk, not a stroll

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often described as one of New Zealand's best one-day walks. It is also a serious alpine route, crossing volcanic terrain between Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngāuruhoe, past steaming vents and the bright Emerald Lakes.

The track climbs steeply in places, and weather in the national park can change quickly. Photos from Saturday show snow still lying on the slopes and cloud closing in near the high point.

Organisers held a briefing the night before to go over safety, weather and final preparations. Volunteer coordinators in Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga and Rotorua handled registrations and travel. Participants paid for their own accommodation, meals and shuttle transport.

Family members were also invited to walk with and support the women. Photos from the day show some men in the group.

"My own little nirvana"

For many of those taking part, the walk was a personal test as much as a physical one.

Auckland's Apurva Sabadra, in a comment provided to Webfit News, said she never imagined she would trek that far.

"Standing amidst their breathtaking beauty, I felt as though I had found my own little nirvana," she said. She called it the best experience of her year.

Pooja Kaushal, the Auckland coordinator, said the crossing showed her she could do something she once doubted she was capable of.

"Sometimes, our greatest achievements begin where our comfort zone ends," she said.

For Sahana Kaidala Mohan Kumar, who coordinated the Tauranga and Rotorua group, it was her first crossing. She said what first seemed impossible became achievable with the group's encouragement.

She credited the forum's Stree Shakti programme. Stree Shakti is Hindi for "women's strength" or "women's power".

Friendship on the track

Wellington coordinator Anuradha Gupta said the group's support made the challenging sections manageable. She described laughter, singing and dancing along the way.

Auckland participant Priyanka Dobariya said the group had built lasting friendships and was already planning more outdoor trips with their families.

Magesan said walking together builds confidence and friendships.

"The Tongariro Alpine Crossing challenges participants physically while reminding us of the power of teamwork, determination and mutual support," he said.

Why it matters

Programmes like this can matter beyond one day on the mountain.

For migrant women in particular, New Zealand's outdoors can feel unfamiliar, and the confidence, gear and local knowledge to tackle a walk like Tongariro are not always easy to come by. Going as a group, with a briefing and people they know, lowers that barrier.

The forum says it will keep running initiatives that build women's leadership, wellbeing, confidence and community connections.

What happens next

No date has been announced for a fourth crossing.

With participation now at its highest, the challenge for organisers is to keep growing while keeping the group safe on one of the country's most demanding day walks. For anyone thinking of joining next time, preparation, good gear and a careful eye on the forecast matter as much as enthusiasm.

Photos: Hindu Women Forum New Zealand.

Source: Hindu Council of New Zealand.