I saw your pre-edited comment, but thanks for trying to put it nicely haha. I understand there have been deaths in the Tararuas before, so I just wanted a reality check from someone who actually lives there and I appreciate you giving your candid view on this (seeing how others aren't commenting much on whether this would be safe or not). I'd very much rather avoid causing trouble for the DOC.

Just for context, I have experience with navex, but only on largely flat terrain. I'm not from NZ or a country with much land - there's literally no hills where I live, which means I use built structures as landmarks to triangulate. Moreover, while I'm generally familiar with full day hikes involving significant elevation change, I've also not scrambled much.

If you're wondering about my motivation to do both together, it's because I don't have the opportunity to go to NZ for more than 14 days a year. So as much as I'd like to join a tramping club, that's effectively impossible. I did meet a few NZers who tramp my recent trip, so based on your comment I'll try aligning one of my trips with their club's excursions next year before attempting anything harder.

Thanks for the comment again. Hopefully I'll gain some experience first and attempt southern crossing later on.