RNZ: The Long Way Home

The final episode of The Long Way Home.

Is this it? Has Bruce Hopkins finally made it all the way home?

Bruce Hopkins does not love the mud in Southland.

Bruce Hopkins is still hoping he'll meet Shania Twain. It's not looking likely.

Weddings and wading knee-deep in snow on the way to Wanaka...it's been a bit of a week for Bruce Hopkins.

50 rivers in one day? That's nothing for Bruce Hopkins.

Bruce meets up with some hunters in the hills before finding a long lost friend and then dropping in on Lynda Topp.

Bruce Hopkins ticks off the last of three big challenges on Te Araroa.

Bruce Hopkins begins his crossing of Waiau pass, but is dreaming of other things.

As he traverses the Richmond Ranges, Bruce Hopkins solves an age-old mystery.

The big climb begins! Bruce takes on the Richmond Ranges.

Bruce Hopkins is in Te Wai Pounamu, beginning the second leg of Te Araroa.

At last Bruce finishes off the North Island section of Te Araroa Trail - but not without a close shave in the tops of the Tararuas.

Bruce Hopkins spends five fabulous days on the Whanganui River. He finds some amazing friends and (not-so-amazingly) retains his reputation for losing stuff.

Bruce Hopkins takes on the Tongariro Crossing against the flow of trampers coming the other way. Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory. Executive producer Tim Watkin

Bruce Hopkins fills in more of the bits he has missed on the Te Araroa trail.

After an extended layoff Bruce is given a roaring send off when he resumes his journey.

Bruce Hopkins faces yet another setback. This one might be a bit more serious.

Bruce Hopkins fills in some of the missing pieces of Te Araroa jigsaw puzzle.

4th generation Stewart Islander Bruce Hopkins chats to 3rd generation Islander Colleen Hopkins - his mum.

Bruce Hopkins takes time out from walking Te Araroa to catch up with RNZ producer Justin Gregory.

Bruce Hopkins beds down in a DOC Hut - in someone's backyard! Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory.

Bruce Hopkins hunkers down in Te Kuiti and meets a couple with a fascinating tale to tell. Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory. Executive Producer Tim Watkins.

Bruce has a brainwave - but it's a bit too late. Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory. Executive Producer Tim Watkins.

On a rest day in Auckland, disaster strikes when Bruce loses something irreplaceable.

After a frustrating injury break, Bruce Hopkins is back on the trail once more, beginning again from where he was forced to stop.

While he recovers from injury, Bruce recalls a conversation with Te Araroa founder Geoff Chapple.

After an accident on the trail, The Long Way Home gets just that little bit longer for Bruce Hopkins.

Bruce meets old friends and new on the trail south of Russell but an unexpected event puts the future in doubt.

Dreaming of ginger beer and ice cream, Bruce climbs the high hills of the Northland forests to get back to his old home in the Bay of Islands. Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory.

With a heavy pack and a lot of nerves, Bruce is underway, measuring the length of 90 Mile Beach and recalling dangerous days fishing off the Northland coast.

Whenua, whakapapa, whanau. Bruce Hopkins walks Te Araroa to take his father and brother's ashes back home to Stewart Island. Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory.

Whenua, whakapapa, whanau. In a new podcast series available from 16 October, Bruce Hopkins walks Te Araroa to take his father and brother's ashes back home to Stewart Island. Here's a quick taste.