A mother and daughter duo are walking the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa Trail to reconnect after years of living overseas.

The pair lived in Mount Maunganui for many years before mum Hannah Dickie decided to move overseas to teach at international schools in China and Thailand for 10 years and daughter Ivy Wallis moved to London where she works as a chef on super yachts.

Dickie left her job and Wallis took six months off to complete the trail.

On October 29, they began their 3000km journey from Cape Reinga Lighthouse.

On day one, they walked along the beach, up sand dunes, over streams and through bush while battling winds, only to arrive at their camp site at Twilight Camp to be greeted by pouring rain and thunderstorms during the night, they said.

“Luckily the tents weren’t damaged,” said Dickie.

Mother Hannah Dickie and daughter Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied

“On the first night at Twilight Campsite we meet our ‘trail family’ which are fellow hikers you see each night at the campsites along Ninety Mile Beach,” she said.

“We formed a special bond with ours, started a WhatsApp group and keep in contact, every now and then we meet up which is awesome.”

On day two, Wallis nearly lost Dickie as she had taken the wrong turn at a junction and turned up an hour and a half later.

As they made their journey down the North Island, they came across many other hikers from around the world.

Every day they walk for five to 12 hours – depending on the terrain – and during that time they listen to music, audio books and podcasts or just enjoy the peace.

Hannah Dickie hitchhikes to Kerikeri. Photo / Supplied

Wallis said walking for that long often leaves them getting a bit sick of each other.

“I’m a human snail,” said Dickie. She said Wallis is often looking around to see if she is still coming.

After long days of walking in mixed terrain and weather, they’re exhausted by the time they get to hit the hay.

With all the practice they’ve become quick at putting up their tents and their blow-up mattresses.

Hannah Dickie taking a break from walking through Waitangi Forest. Photo / Supplied

On day 30 of their journey, Dickie reactivated an old Achilles injury after slipping down a muddy bank.

They decided to take a five-day break visiting friends in Mount Maunganui to allow Dickie to get physio and let her Achilles heal so they could continue their journey.

Starting at the northern cape of Te Rerenga Wairua, to the southern bluff of Motupōhue, more than 2000 people will be walking the length of Aotearoa New Zealand on the Te Araroa Charitable Trust Trail.

The journey that can take up to five months to complete is one of the world’s most diverse long-distance walking trails, according to Te Araroa.

Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied

The trip will find the participants in high mountain passes, over volcanoes, across sweeping plains, alongside meandering rivers, and through bustling cities and rural towns.

The trail claims to unveil the unique beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes and communities.

Dickie and Wallis said they hope to have the trip done by April, however, they said Dickie’s injury may end up holding them back.

Ivy Wallis. Photo / Supplied

They said they had both been thinking about taking the trip for a while and when Dickie took the year off from working, Wallis thought it would be a good idea to tag along and do the trip together.

Along their way so far, they have learnt a lot, how to pack light, how to turn a gas cooker on, what to do and what not to do, and they’ve met some great people along the way.

Their favourite part of their trip has been meeting people along the way.

“We’ve heard a lot of stories from people,” said Wallis.

“We’ve met a lot of people and learned some really great tips.”

When asked whether they would recommend this experience to others, the pair said “Yes, definitely.”

Dickie said they have both been blown away with the support of friends and the kindness of kiwis.

To keep up to date with their journey follow the duo on Instagram @freshairfritters.