I walked 400km of the Te Araroa trail earlier this year. Compared to Australia, there is a marked absence of fauna. A number of other walkers commented about th

I walked 400km of the Te Araroa trail earlier this year. Compared to Australia, there is a marked absence of fauna. A number of other walkers commented about the same thing. The only encounters with animals I heard of that were possibly dangerous were a surprised goat and a falcon acting defensively about it's territory. You're more likely to die from cold exposure (I got very chilled one time) or crossing a river. Sandflies and spear grass will annoy you at times but they won't kill you.