What happens when a seven-year-old sets out to walk the length of Aotearoa New Zealand with her mum? An unforgettable adventure begins – one filled with mud, magic, and moments of true courage.
Emilie Walks Te Araroa is a true story about young explorer Emilie Bruce, who completed the 3,000-kilometre Te Araroa Trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff over six months. Along the way, Emilie wades through wild rivers, climbs steep mountain passes, and discovers the wonders of the backcountry – befriending curious birds, watching whio ride the rapids, and learning how everything in nature is connected.
But the trail isn’t always easy. There are wasp stings, freezing rivers, endless mud, and tough days when giving up feels tempting. Through it all, Emilie and her mum walk side by side, building strength, resilience, and a bond that carries them all the way to Bluff – and beyond.
Told in Emilie’s fresh, funny, and heartfelt voice, Emilie Walks Te Araroa will inspire tamariki and whānau to get outside, explore the natural world, and believe in their own strength. Written by award-winning author Victoria Bruce – Emilie’s mother – this book is a joyful, empowering tribute to the wild places that shape us and the young people who will protect them.
Perfect for readers aged 8-12, and everyone who loves a true story of adventure, connection, and courage.

Victoria Bruce is a writer, adventurer and single mother who walked the length of New Zealand with her then-seven-year-old daughter, Emilie. Their Te Araroa adventure captured hearts across Aotearoa and inspired Victoria’s award-winning memoir, Adventures with Emilie. Now this mother-daughter team has co-written Emilie Walks Te Araroa to share the journey from Emilie’s perspective, written in her joyful seven-year-old voice. A passionate advocate for outdoor adventure and nature connection, Victoria writes to inspire tamariki to explore wild places and care for the environment. She and Emilie have completed dozens of remote multi-day hikes since their Te Araroa journey, and Emilie has visited over 400 backcountry huts before her 11th birthday. During their walk, they raised over $20,000 for the Mental Health Foundation and Federated Mountain Clubs. Victoria and Emilie are based on the West Coast.