NOVEMBER: MATT DOWDLE
MEET: MATT DOWDLE
LOST ZEALAND
Matt is a great friend of ours that we met on the Te Araroa, from Auckland, NZ. We wanted to take some time to share an event he has coming up, as well as a little interview we had with him!
He inspired us throughout the trip with his determination. If he says he's going to do something, he does, with no hesitation + a full heart. He motivated us during some of our harder times + was there to laugh with/at us when we needed a boost.
His determination through hiking reflects in all that he does, especially his photography. Directly after the Te Araroa, he started working on a project that is now complete + ready to be shown to the public. His Lost Zealand Exhibition will be held at the Allpress Studio Auckland from November 20th - December 2nd. It is a personal photography project, showcasing the time he spent walking 3000km through New Zealand, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. For more information about the exhibition, follow the link above. We SO wish that we could attend this event, but unfortunately our wallets aren't agreeing on a short trip to New Zealand right now. We encourage anyone in the area to head over + check it out. Here are some of his stunning photographs:
THE INTERVIEW:
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name's Matt Dowdle, I’m a 25 year old creative + photographer living in Auckland, New Zealand. I love the outdoors + have spent much of this year walking New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail.
How did we meet?
It was at the beginning of the year when we met. After a gnarly hike through the Kaimanawas-Kawekas-Ruahines, I rejoined the Te Araroa Trail in the Tararua Ranges. We bumped into each other at Te Matawai Hut + then went on to spend some time together at Nichols Hut.
Why did you decide to hike the Te Araroa?
I was looking for an adventure + wanted to see more of my country, so it only made sense to see it all on foot. Plus I wanted to get some killer landscape shots!
What was the most important thing you learned?
The greatest thing I learned was to live in the moment. This meant enjoying the good + the bad moments + accepting plans weren’t always going to work out.
With the Te Araroa being only 6 years old, + thruhiking becoming so popular, do you have any thoughts or concerns on how the trail will develop or change in upcoming years?
This is something that is constantly discussed within the outdoor community here in New Zealand. A lot of people are starting to worry about the pressure Te Araroa walkers put on the backcountry hut system + the environment. With the growing demand I don’t think it will be long before there will be some sort of fee that goes directly towards the maintenance of the trail. I personally would like to see DOC create a Te Araroa backcountry hut pass where the revenue goes directly towards improving the huts/tracks on the trail.
Would you recommend the Te Araroa to others? Why? What is special about it?
Positivity is key on the Te Araroa Trail. There are times when the going gets tough + you just have to push on. I would recommend the trail to anyone who's strong minded + has a positive attitude. It’s a great way to see the country.
Do you feel this trip furthered your passion for photography? How?
I will always been in awe of our mountains + forests here in New Zealand. They are what inspired me to pick up a camera so many years ago. Spending 6 months on the Lost Zealand project definitely kept my passion for photography alive + well.
Tell us about your upcoming exhibition.
At the end of the month I’ll be showcasing some of my favourite shots from the trip as well as a 160 page publication at All Press Gallery in Auckland. It will be a good way to end the project + I look forward to catching up with friends + family who followed my journey.
What's your middle name?
Charles…Did Devon write that? haha!
What's next?
It’s back to the real world for a wee while, then hopefully more travel. Fingers crossed!
We also wanted to add that while Matt was hiking the TA, he was an ambassador for the organization- Trees for Survival. TFS is an environmental education program that involves young people with growing + planting native trees to restore natural habitats. This would restore natural habitats by helping landowners revegetate erosion prone land, improve stream flow + water quality, + increase biodiversity. He had been working with them since August 2016, working to rebrand + photograph at their tree planting events. While on the hike, his mission was to reach out to New Zealanders to pass on his knowledge + get them involved.
We were hiking in true native bush + even though it was a grueling task, it was amazing how lush + green it was. It's sad to hear about the ongoing destruction of trees, while it's evident that the country + it's species really need them. There are definitely changes that need to happen + it's important for people to get involved in organizations like this one.