Team A

Mark and Elena of the Abel Tasman Lodge in Paihia looked after our team in superb comfort last night. Our gratitude to them for their kind hospitality.

Our team started the day by meeting with the principal of Kawakawa Primary School, Noelene Lemon, together with the school's cross-country running team for a run through Kawakawa with the children in the lead.

On entering the hall with the torch, no sooner had we greeted the massed students than the fire alarms sounded, set off by the smoke from our torch! Once this was rectified after a few minutes, the children asked many questions about the torch's journey around the world. We departed after wishing the cross-country team all the best in their inter-school races that day.

We then ran to Bay of Islands College where senior students greeted us with fantastic artwork and poetry on the themes of harmony and disharmony. The school's Kapa Haka (Maori cultural group) blew us away with tremendous singing and a fiery haka. The power and inspiration of this haka carried us through the final 26 kilometres of running on the road to our finish point for the day.

Team B

Our sincere thanks to Bryan and Jan Jones of the Pepper Tree Lodge at Paihia for our accommodations last night.

Whangarei Falls

Eight children, all House Captains, ran with us for the final one kilometre into Whangarei Primary School.

At Whangarei Primary School we were greeted by about 300 students in the courtyard, who joined us for a brief presentation, singing the World-Harmony-Run song with gusto.

Next we ran to Whangarei Intermediate School, to be greeted by about 60 students...

... and the Deputy Mayor, Kahuroa Sutherland, who gave a lovely speech at the conclusion of the meeting.

The next school we visited on our journey was Manaia View School. The children formed a line along the driveway to greet us on our arrival, all recorded by a TV cameraman. We were entertained by the school's really excellent Kapa Haka, who performed their own greeting song as well as the World-Harmony-Run song.

Some of the children read their thoughts and poetry on harmony, and showed us a video they had made on the subject of harmony. Their teacher, Rob, made a beautiful speech, concluding an unforgettable visit.

Team C

Last night our team was freely accommodated at the Bay of Islands Holiday Park on the banks of the Haruru River – our thanks to our generous host Gordon and Elaine.

Our first stop is 90 km away, the Ruakaka Primary School, where the children are waiting for us – we all enjoy a happy half hour sharing the spirit and message of the World Harmony Run.

Then south, 5 km stretches of alternate running across slow hills and the challenging descents of the Brynderwyns to the town of Kaiwaka – here at the primary school a wonderful ceremonial welcome, then an entire one and a half hours of enchanting activity.

Every class performs for us, either in poetry, song or recitation.

The great map of New Zealand is signed, the Torch passed through every hand. At Kaiwaka we have given out the 30th acrylic print of artwork by Sri Chinmoy on the theme of World Peace to our hosts, a permanent reminder and legacy of this moving visit.

An exceptional school...

Then another 20 km to the town of Wellsford and our finish for the day. All the vehicles are tooting on my long trudge up Wellsford Hill: as awareness of the World Harmony Run gathers momentum, more and more people are acknowledging the significance and symbolism of our journey,

Team Members:
Mark Harvey (New Zealand), Jogyata Dallas (New Zealand), David Wade (New Zealand), Karl Harris (New Zealand), Uddipan Brown (New Zealand), Nicholas File (New Zealand), Nigel Webber (Australia), Prachar Stegemann (Australia), Niribili File (New Zealand), Erika Pongracz (Hungary), Esme Howard-Anna (New Zealand), Alesha Thorpe (New Zealand), Gael Ballantyne (New Zealand)

Gallery: See more images!