4 May 2018
More than 400 participants and support crew descended on the picturesque Central Otago settlement of Ophir to take part in the Great New Zealand Trek in early March. The trek wound through beautiful Otago countryside on foot, horseback and bicycle, ending up in the town of Lawrence.
Professor Anne La Flamme, whose multiple sclerosis research is supported directly by funds raised by the trek, took part again this year. “As always, the trek was fantastically organised thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Trustees and volunteers.”
The 2018 Great New Zealand Trek was bittersweet with the passing of Hepa Paewai in late February. Hepa was an integral part of the trek for over ten years, scouting out and planning the route months in advance and helping guide trekkers during the event. The Malaghan Institute would like to thank Hepa and his partner Kitty, for all their hard work and dedication to supporting MS research in New Zealand.