Otago Polytechnic nursing student Kazushi Noiri (29) said while he would not be joined on his walk by Lorna Strickett (90), his friend's battle with arthritis was the reason he would attempt the challenge.
Mr Noiri set off from Bluff yesterday to raise funds for the Arthritis New Zealand.
He had been made aware of the effects of arthritis both through his studies and his friendship with Mrs Strickett, who he met six years ago while volunteering for Age Concern.
''Her dexterity, having control of even small things like opening bottles and picking up things in a normal day can be hard.
''On nursing school placements, I realised arthritis is not an ageing problem. Rheumatoid arthritis can happen at any age.
''I do feel how hard it would be not to be able to do active things.''
Preparations for the walk began about a year ago. The start yesterday coincided with World Arthritis Day.
He felt ''very excited'' to be able to put his training, which included a walk from Dunedin to Gore, a marathon and a ''freezing'' night in -5degC temperatures, to the test.
Arthritis New Zealand had given Mr Noiri donation buckets so he could collect funds for the organisation during his journey.
As well as the motivation to help a ''really good cause'', he would be armed with an 11kg pack, a bivvy and a list of couches he could sleep on.
Mr Noiri intended to send Mrs Strickett postcards, as well as making occasional phone calls to assure her he was well.
''She is very excited for me but she was very frightened when I first told her, so I need to ring her so she knows I am all
right.''
He hoped to arrive in Cape Reinga by December 16.
