These are the words to a Maori song about the area of Opotiki sung to us by the students of Opotiki School

Uddipan replies in Maori to the mihi (speech of welcome)

The students were happy to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Harmony Run team

Sean leads the students on a 'run around the world'

Opotiki School's best runners guided us to nearby Ashbrook School

The karanga, or call to enter the meeting place

Sometimes wishing for harmony can be hard work

Uddipan, a former student, receives a shirt commemorating Ashbrook's 50th anniversary to give to his father who was the school headmaster from 1960-1964

The staff of Ashbrook School treated us to a delicious morning tea

On the way to Te Kura O Torere (Maori school)

A family lunch by the side of the road

"Nipura, that's the last apple!"

Can you guess which harmony run team member this looks like?

Waiting at the gateway of Te Kura O Torere to be received in the traditional Maori manner

The hongi is the sharing of the breath of life between host and guest

Children and teachers enjoy the actions to the Harmony Run song

We gave our presentation under the shelter of a huge Pohutakawa tree

The children were so enthusiastic that they 'ran around the world' not once but three times

Breathtaking scenery on the way to Hicks Bay

Our first glimpse of the historic church of Raukokore

Simply beautiful

Is this a shoe or a sock?

Out from behind the lens...our chief photographer Apaguha makes a rare appearance

At Omaio School we received a traditional Powhiri welcome. In their prayers, the children asked for the breath of the mountain, the spirituality of the people and the land to carry us on our journey around the East Cape. The principal kindly taught us the Maori word "ngakau" - meaning heart of compassion - something which the members of this school expressed in abundant measure during our brief visit.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the school offered us a kete, a hand-woven flax bag brimming with delicious fruits and snacks. He explained that the flax weaving represents the coming together of humanity.

Te Whanau A Apanui Area School is located on top of a hill looking out over the coast. This is a dual language (Maori/English) school. The students welcomed us with a sweet song in Maori, which reminded us that music is a universal language which can touch the hearts of everyone.

The students then became World Harmony Runners by making a wish for world harmony and peace and running around their field with the team.

The teachers invited us for lunch, but unfortunately we were so pressed for time we were unable to stay. All the way around the east coast we have been touched by the generosity of everyone we meet and the feeling that we are now a part of their family, as they are now a part of ours.

We were warmly welcomed to Raukokore School which consisted of 22 students. There was a strong sense of community with so many people there to welcome us and join in our team's activities. The school last year was transformed into the set of the New Zealand movie ‘Boy’ with a number of the school's students acting in the film.

The Principal said she believed their school had the best location in all of New Zealand and we tended to agree. Their front yard was paradise! Everyone held the torch and went for quite a speedy run and then spent relaxing time sitting and chatting with team members. Tom and Nelson tried to race against the school's fastest runner but were narrowly beaten! Better luck next time...

After performing their school anthem along with hand movements as a farewell to us we were given a big box of bananas to set us on our way though some of the most beautiful running we have done so far along scenic ocean and mountain views. Raukokore students all ran as far as they could along the border of their school field to farewell us, cheering and waving. We loved their enthusiasm for the Run!!

Two good mates

Many thanks for helping us with the accommodation.

– Uddipan/Stacey

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Distance: 152 km

Team Members:
Uddipan Brown (New Zealand), Apaguha Vesely (Czech Republic), Moksa Wade (New Zealand), Becky Xerri (Wales), Pragunya Daly (New Zealand), Shumbhani Juarez (Guatemala), Tom McGuire (New Zealand), Nelson Myers (New Zealand), Sean Abbott (Fiji), Kallola Brown (New Zealand), Garbitashri Webster (New Zealand), Stacey Marsh (New Zealand), Shobhavati Davies (New Zealand), Hridayinee Williams (Australia), Malyavati Klapper (New Zealand), Shvastinee Ballantyne (New Zealand), Suradhuni Anderson (New Zealand), Nipura Brown (Cook Islands)

Gallery: See more images!

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