Kia ora whanau,

Today we took a guided tour to Te Rerenga Wairua.  Our guide Alan filled us in on all the local knowledge, entertained us with his stories, and made us laugh with one or two jokes.

We saw a $55,000 couch made of 800 year old Kauri Tree that wasn't very comfortable to lie down on to watch tv.

Alan took us to Te Paki Sand Dunes where we exhausted ourselves climbing up enormous sand dunes and sliding down on plastic sleds.  As Matua Jamal and Matua Timiata found out, the lighter you are, the faster you go - so they actually climbed up faster than they slid down.  A great time was shared by all.

We had lunch at Tapatupatu Bay, enjoyed a stroll along the beach, and Matua Jamal and Matua Wiremu enjoyed a brief frolic in the waves.

At long last we arrived at the 'leaping place of the souls' and were awe struck by the awesome vistas.  Needless to say koutou ma it is an experience that everyone needs to do, share with your friends and families as mere words cannot do justice to what is there.

Arohanui,

No te whanau o Waikawa me Otauira 

Kia ano te whanau,

We have arrived safely in Te Rarawa and have been very fortunate to have been welcomed with much aroha from the tangata whenua.

Koraukore Marae is situated right on the beach in Ahipara and is huge.  We feel really spoilt to have such an awesome place to stay.

Today we spent the afternoon with Te Kaupapa o Pukemiro.  Kai,korero, kai, takaro, kai korero - ka nui te pai.  We are the first kura they have had in a long time that has been out of their rohe.  They also think we are a Kura Kaupapa.  How cool is that!  We were also fortunate enough to receive letters and cards from some of the classes which we will respond to when we get home.

We are off to the beach shortly for our Scavengar Hunt.

All is well, tamariki, maatua and kaiako :-)

P.S. Postcards on their way today.