Adventures with Emilie - walking New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail.

I'm Victoria and my seven-year-old daughter Emilie and I are about to walk 3,000 km across New Zealand, from Cape Reinga to Bluff, on New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail.

This journey is part of my recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition which developed in response to terrifying events in my teenage years.

I’m walking the trail as part of a project to heal these childhood hurts, restore my confidence in the world and myself, make wonderful memories with my daughter and spend time in the beautiful healing power of nature.

And along the way, I’m hoping to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation and Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ, two organisations dear to my heart.

I also want to connect with you and people all across New Zealand and show that while mental illness doesn’t discriminate, it is possible to heal, learn to love again and live your best life.

We’re asking you to partner with us as we spend six months on the Trail, starting in October of this year.

If you or someone you know and love has been impacted by sexual abuse, or has lived experience of mental distress, please dig deep for our causes and support our journey.

Whether you’re able to contribute financially, follow and share our journey on social media, send us some love and moral support, connect with us and share your story, or feel inspired to make some healing changes in your own life, we want to connect with you.