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Nathan Hoturoa Gray

@nathanhoturoa

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Adventure journalist through 85+ countries, Penguin best-selling author and MSU study abroad lecturer. Books: https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/hoturoa/

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Great catch up with Jeanette’s wider whanau (family) including all her aunties, uncles and cousins at the cabin in Port Austen. Such a great reunion after so many years - enjoying the traditions of a Midwest Fall including pumpkin painting, cooking chocolate marshmallow ‘smores’ round the fire, eating donuts on a string and the infamous hayride. by @nathanhoturoa

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7 days ago

For those that are interested in reading my article showcasing the showdown for control over the Senate in this year’s midterm elections copy and paste or click onto my Substack link here:

https://substack.com/@nathanspictorials/note/p-218087396?r=1c4qe&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

If you are not on Substack then comment below or direct message me for a copy. by @nathanhoturoa

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14 days ago

Our final destination in Canada, (before crossing the border to the USA to go and cover the mid-term elections), was Point Pelee National Park - the southern most point in the country. Blessed with vibrant, life enhancing marshes and woodlands, the key drawcard is a 2.5 kilometre walk, (bike or tram), to a tapering sandspit that extends out magnificently into Lake Erie in southwestern Ontario.

Exploring the spit feels like heading towards the end of a continent as the Great Lake’s waves gradually submerge the narrowing sandy pathway. Enormous flocks of gulls and scampering dotterels feed on the fish that have beached themselves on the spit. The birds fly in a lined formation making a mesmerizing extension to the end of the land mass as if replicating a portal to another dimension. Much like the experience of visiting Cape Reinga at the end of New Zealand, the metaphor provides a powerful way to honour and spiritually learn from what it means to explore a country’s end point… by @nathanhoturoa

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21 days ago

Catching up on photos from Oli’s cousinly catch up on the serene shores of Lake Huron. Massive thank you to Jeanette’s brother Joey and his wife Bri for their incredible hospitality, especially at their wonderful home in Tecumseh, Canada. Always a treat to reconnect and get a chance to explore the region! by @nathanhoturoa

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a month ago

Devastating impacts from a tornado that recently hit Windsor about ten kilometres away from where we are staying in Canada. Widespread damage from the storm was visible throughout parts of Michigan, and an earlier storm in Toronto flooded cars in the main streets, destroyed a significant part of the seating at Roger’s temporary stadium and pelted communities with ten centimetre round balls of hail, breaking car windows.

Three more hurricanes are currently being monitored in the Pacific Ocean, the first causing significant flooding on the coast of Mexico and another lingering just south of Hawaii. Things are definitely ramping up with this year’s impacts from an enhanced El Niño due to climate change and ignoring its reality by some politicians is not going to stop these tragedies from occurring… by @nathanhoturoa

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a month ago

The Asia New Zealand Foundation celebrates 20 years of its leadership network this year. Having joined its ranks just over 17 years ago, the Foundation is showcasing me and some of the other amazing leaders that have been involved over the past two decades. For anyone that is interested in having a read and learning more about what the leadership network and the ANZF does go to the link below.

https://www.asianz.org.nz/how-asia-shaped-leadership-network-member-s-life-of-adventure by @nathanhoturoa

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a month ago

Our final base in beautiful British Columbia was the skiing and mountain biking Mecca of Whistler. Much like Squamish, visiting the peaks of both Blackcomb and Whistler provides one with a sense of undeniable peace, especially being surrounded by horizons of glacier clad mountains - fortunately with no wildfires in sight. However one only needs to see the biblical events unfolding with the recent devastating floods in Nepal, and the dangers from rapid glacial melt due to climate change is never far from mind. It’s so heartbreaking to think of all those lives lost in the rivers and valleys below while people (and other animals) simply toil away with their daily existence. by @nathanhoturoa

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2 months ago

Squamish screams scintillating scenery. Its irresistible terrain draws rock climbers and hikers from all over the world to become a part of its friendly, nature-loving community.

Protected by a myriad of rivers and waterfalls its lush green forests have so far avoided the furore of this year’s wildfires. The closest blaze was almost two hours drive north in Pemberton which was dealt with by a series of brilliant helicopter water tank runs by the incredibly brave firefighting teams in the region.

The beauty of Squamish to me personally is the acknowledgement by the Canadian government that the land was never ceded by the Squamish (Skwxwu7mesh Uxwumixw) Native Indian population and this is expressed in signs at the beginning of all forest and mountain trails. It enables everyone to respect and acknowledge the privilege of being able to visit these pristine places, paying homage to the original kaitiaki. by @nathanhoturoa

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2 months ago

It’s always an adrenaline rush heading off on international assignment albeit to cover the sobering impacts of this season’s wildfires in North America.

Our first two days in North Vancouver had smoke from the devastating wildfires in Spokane (which destroyed almost 700 homes in north-eastern Washington State) permeating throughout the surrounding peaks. The State of Oregon had already reached a wildfire record for burned acreage by August 3rd, (over 2.3 million acres) with technically two months left of the wildfire season.

Some Canadian locals we spoke to now call it the season of fire instead of ‘summer’ given the proliferation of wildfires throughout many parts of Canada, especially a few hours east of Vancouver with many thousands evacuated from their homes.

In order to escape the smoke, many locals head into the lush bush and swimming spots of Lynn Canyon just north of the city, and the sky cleared up perfectly upon travelling up the spectacular Howe Sound towards Squamish (which I will write about in my next post.)

Whatever your personal views on climate change, these wildfires are getting worse year on year and are very much part of the reality our planet and species must face moving now and into the future… by @nathanhoturoa

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2 months ago

Absolutely magical week immersed in the scenic delights and cultural warmth of Fiji staying at our favourite Barefoot Kuata and Paradise Cove resorts. Fiji airlines had an irresistible deal to Vancouver from Wellington for just under $700 NZ with the stopover as part of the package as Tourism Fiji backs their airline with financial incentives to attract more tourists. A great way for their country to celebrate the airline recently being awarded a top ten placement worldwide, and commence our trip back to North America for mahi. by @nathanhoturoa

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2 months ago

Final day of screenings today at Wellington’s Roxy Cinema before the Doc Edge festival moves down to Christchurch from July 31st to August 2nd. There will be a host of the best of this year’s documentaries showcased at the newly built Koawa studios - the South Island’s first ever commercial grade creative technology and screen hub based at Canterbury University.

One documentary not to be missed is Kim Webby’s ‘Unlikely Kin’ which looks at indigenous harvesting practices for stranded Whales and utilising the Whale oils to help save Aotearoa’s giant Kauri trees from the devastating impacts of Kauri dieback disease.

See https://docedge.nz/events/unlikely-kin/ for this and more exciting events taking place in the majestic Te Waipounamu.

There is also information regarding the online screenings available from the comfort of your home as the online Doc Edge cinema kicks off from the 27th of July for two weeks. by @nathanhoturoa

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3 months ago

Awe-inspiring excursion to Papatahi Hut situated up the Orongorongo Valley deep in the heart of the Remutaka State Forest. The 25km overnight trek takes you deep into dense native bush - essentially classic kiwi backcountry terrain with multiple river crossings surrounded by mesmerizing mountainscapes, (despite just an hours drive from Wellington’s creative capital). Huge thanks to Nico, my dear mate from our University days for the invitation to join his whanau on this unforgettable experience into the wonderous wild... #Remutaka #Orongorongo #explore #hiking by @nathanhoturoa

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3 months ago