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6 Headlines In line with Brain Awareness Month which took place in March, Steve decided to complete Tour Aotearoa to raise funds for the Neurological Foundation. He was particularly moved by the reality of 1 in 5 Kiwis being affected by a neurological condition and wanted to do something about it. In total, he raised over $3,000! Once giving him some time to rest after his grueling journey, we interviewed him about the experience. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? With my wife Donna, I am a dairy farmer in the South Waikato. We have four children (14yo – 22yo) and take much enjoyment from producing nutritious and healthy food on land that is nurtured for future generations, with livestock that are well cared for. Like most rural folk, we have a strong sense of community, and our support of the Neurological Foundation is an extension of that. What motivated you to fundraise for the Neurological Foundation? The neurological conditions that can afflict in older age are very debilitating for self and family. I’ve supported the Foundation since my 30’s to help medical research in this area of health prior to reaching an ‘at risk age’ myself. What did the training leading up to Tour Aotearoa involve? Tour Aotearoa is not a race, it is more of a personal challenge in which participants each approach the event differently. I focused on enjoying the journey and looking for new experiences. Others wanted to finish the 3,000km as quickly as possible (Steve Halligan of Hanmer Springs finished quickest in 10 days, 11 hours). My training involved multiday rides of 80 – 130kms, back to back, between 2 & 5 days. The aim was to get comfortable with the physical requirements and equipment of living Raising hope from Cape Reinga to Bluff Earlier this year, Steve Hines, a Waikato dairy farmer, embarked on a 3,000km journey that spanned across the months of February and March. Named ‘Tour Aotearoa’, this is an annual 3,000km bikepacking odyssey with riders beginning in Cape Reinga, the very tip of the North Island, and then making their way down to Bluff, the very southernmost tip of the South Island.