With a heavy pack and a lot of nerves, Bruce is underway, measuring the length of 90 Mile Beach and recalling dangerous days fishing off the Northland coast.

Loaded down under way too heavy a pack and with no small amount of nerves, Bruce Hopkins is underway!

During his first five days on Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail, Bruce measures the length of 90 Mile Beach and meets a long distance cyclist.

He almost certainly doesn't find treasure on the beach but definitely does find some good kai moana. And the sandflies find him.

And he recalls some dangerous days as a commercial fisherman off the Northland coast.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week One, 14-21 October 2017
Cape Reinga - Puketi Forest.

"Five days on 90 Mile Beach done. I am taking an early rest day here at Ahipara on Day Five, Wednesday 18 October 2017.

Including myself six walkers of Te Araroa (TA) showed up here after a rugged 31km slog into a nasty wind that blasted sand into my face for eight hours at about 30+ knots.

But the journey is underway and I will not be taking anything for granted. I am already uncovering some wonderful moments of connection with people and nature as well as some brutal encounters with what will be required in terms of perseverance over the next few months. It does feel great to have first 100km of coast & beach done & dusted.

Five days of slogging it through Northland forests from tomorrow to get to Kerikeri."

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details