Owaka-born-and-bred man Dan Landreth recently completed the 3000km Te Araroa hiking trail, which runs from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
The 45-year-old Christchurch-based builder said he began the trail in October after an ankle injury, with "zero" hiking fitness, little idea what to expect, and perhaps carrying a few too many kilos.
But four months later and 20kg lighter, Mr Landreth said his achievement showed anyone with the right motivation could do it.
"A couple of years back, I’d reached a stage of life where my children had grown up, I had grandkids already and I’d worked as a builder all my life.
"I happened to pick up a Te Araroa trail book on holiday somewhere, and thought, ‘that’s a good idea for a few months off, to reflect and plan ahead for the next 40 years’."
He said his long-standing employer, wife and family had all been "massive" in their generosity in giving him the time and space to tackle the challenge.
"It’s a big thing to take four months off work and life in general, and I wouldn’t say it was a cheap thing to do either, but the benefits for anyone looking for a bit of perspective are huge."
"The beginning four to six weeks were the toughest. I had zero hiking fitness and had been recovering from an ankle injury, so was a bit on the heavy side.
"But I lost 10kg in the first month, then another 10kg through the remainder. Once I’d got the body into shape and worked out how to hike, it became easier, and the last month was a breeze in comparison."
Mr Landreth said he hiked an average of 28km a day for 114 days of the total 128 days of his trip, getting through three and a-half pairs of trail shoes in the process.
"Four months is pretty typical for the trail, so it was a steep learning curve. It’s a pretty social experience in the North Island, more solo in the South, so for those first few weeks I was asking everyone for their trail hiking tips."
He said he had been "blown away" by the kindness of strangers throughout the trip.
"I talked to the oldest man on the trail, doing it for the second time at 82. His advice was, ‘You can always travel lighter.’ My one luxury was a thick inflatable mattress, but outside of that, I don’t think I planned too badly."
Mr Landreth said he made no effort to eat healthily during his odyssey.
"Peanut butter, salami, Skittles and Hi-Chews. On reaching camp at the end of every day I’d eat half a block of Whittaker’s. You just burn through the calories."
Naturally sociable, Mr Landreth said the more solitary hiking of the South Island had been "tough, but rewarding".
"That was probably the leg that gave me that space to reflect and learn more about my character. I won’t claim to have solved every problem in the world, but it allowed me to gain some clarity and set a few goals."
He said he would recommend the challenge to anyone.
"Just make sure you have a goal greater solely than seeing the country, and you’ll find the inspiration you need."
