Starting a podcast enabled Abigail Hannah to feel like she finally belonged in Aotearoa when her own family was far away.
When she was 18, Abigail Hannah moved to New Zealand from India to study urban planning. She left her family in Tamil Nadu, where her parents worked in language development.
The culture shock was huge, and her mental health plummeted.
“I don’t think there are two countries that are further apart,” she says. “India is loud, colourful and energetic. New Zealand seemed boring and quiet. I found myself asking: How can I belong? How can I make New Zealand home?”
Getting into the outdoors, starting with small adventures around Auckland, was part of her journey back from depression.
“It was going to the local park, or popping down to Mission Bay to feel the sand on my feet. That led to day trips, then to getting a van and road trips, and I’ve gone from there.”
Abigail was already a photographer and blogger, and after a road trip around the South Island, she decided to start a podcast.
“I was going back to Auckland to start a full-time job, and I knew I’d miss the outdoors. I wanted to sit down with people and hear their stories – how they play in this playground we call Aotearoa.”
The 26-year-old describes her weekly podcast, Aotearoa Adventures, as “talking to everyday Kiwis” – trampers, photographers, parents, students, van-lifers, packrafters, hitchhikers and surfers – about their adventures and travel tips.
It started in 2022, and there are now over 85 episodes.
Abigail sustains the weekly commitment knowing that her online community is tuning in. She gets regular messages from listeners who have tackled new challenges as a result of her guests’ stories.
She also encourages listeners to get in touch if they have a story to share.
“I think everyone has a story, no matter how big or small … I love that people feel like they can approach me.”
Abigail says Aotearoa will always be home and, last year, she quit her urban planning job to focus on digital marketing for travel brands. She and husband Isaac Naylor have also started offering tours to Nepal, where Isaac grew up.
“Through the outdoors, I fell in love with New Zealand. I found my sense of belonging.”
Abigail’s favourite episodes of Aotearoa Adventures
Episode 062,
Pat Nolan
“Based in Christchurch, Pat Nolan’s adventures with his adult daughter serve as a heartwarming reminder of the power of nature in forging familial bonds. Pat’s daughter lives overseas, so her visits to New Zealand make their father–daughter tramping time all the more special and allow them to share their love of the outdoors. Pat’s favourite moment of the Three Passes Route was seeing the delight on his daughter’s face as she experienced the incredible views for the first time. When walking Te Araroa, Pat faced the challenge of inner-ear and balance issues. Instead of letting this get him down, he took it a step at a time and focused on the beauty and the good parts of each day – like the simple pleasure of beautiful birdsong.”
Episode 024
Russell Jennings
“Russell Jennings, a retired mechanic from Auckland, is a guest whose stories are hugely underrated. His passion for the outdoors started at high school when he explored the paddocks, bush and creeks around his house. At 19, a debilitating burn injury impacted both Russell’s hands, but he never let it stop his adventures, saying, “there’s always a way around”. He has since cycled and hiked across Aotearoa and beyond. Russell has traversed the North Island from Napier to Taranaki, surviving a near-drowning in the Whanganui River on the way, which he says was “a miracle”. He loves sharing the outdoors with his children, and has taken them on one-on-one trips to learn navigation and survival skills. His resilience in the face of adversity is an inspiration.”
Episode 037
Lauren Murray
“At 25, photographer Lauren Murray outgrew the beaches of Waiheke Island and moved south to the picturesque mountains of Queenstown. Her journey into the wilderness is as much about capturing the beauty of the landscape as it is about finding perspective in its vastness and stillness. Lauren describes nature as “humbling”: (she says) its expansiveness can make you feel unimportant and bring you back
to what you can control. She shares her first solo adventure to Earnslaw Burn, a lesson in under-preparedness as she had a sleepless night in the cold solitude of her tent. Despite the discomfort, Lauren found herself in awe of the sheer scale of nature.”
Episode 057
Germaine Srhoy
Germaine is a Canterbury paramedic who contemplated walking Te Araroa for years. She finally committed to walking the South Island section, which represented everything she loved about hiking – mountains, vistas and isolation. Her journey on the trail was transformative; she describes the mountains as “medicine”. Germaine faced physical challenges, including unrelenting foot pain. Mentally, her toughest moments came when she confronted her unresolved trauma from past sexual abuse. Te Araroa offered her a sanctuary to process these feelings. The trail became a canvas for her healing journey. Germaine’s advice for those wanting to walk Te Araroa is simple but powerful – make the decision, commit to it, and take the first step.”
Episode 015
Sonia Barrish
“Sonia is a dedicated adventurer and devoted mother who walked the Old Ghost Road with her husband Menzo, her 11-week-old baby and spirited four-year-old. Through Sonia’s candid storytelling, she transported me to the exposed ridgelines and lush native bush of the 85km trail. Each morning, the family followed a military-grade routine, with teamwork required to keep the kids dry, fed, safe and happy. The walk had its unique challenges with cloth nappy changes, midnight tantrums, and heavy rain on the final day. Their five-day adventure highlighted Sonia’s commitment to sharing her love of the outdoors with her kids.”
