Kawekakea decided yesterday that he needed to work on his fitness. After many weeks of watching Room18 go over the school confidence course he thought that he might have a go.

Up first was the climbing wall.

“Phew”, he said. “I’ve finally got to the top!” Next were the wobbly logs and oh how wobbly they were thought Kawekakea as he staggered off.

“I don’t think I’ll try that again!”

Kawekakea grappled with the p-bars. One…. two…… he lifted his arms - it was hard. After jumping off, Kawekakea ran zigzag through the trees and off to the monkey bars. It was very high up there and Kawekakea did not want to fall so he took his time. Then it was under and over to the tyre-wall.

“This is hard work! Man, I’m getting very dirty.” Kawekakea was so exhausted and glad to have a rest.

Early Saturday morning Kawekakea travelled with Ms H and her family to Patea. Now for those of you who do not know New Zealand very well, Patea is a little town on the West Coast of the North Island in between Wanganui and Hawera.

It took about 4 hours to travel by car to Patea from Napier. (Give or take 30 extra minutes or so for coffee stops for Ms H). Back in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s Patea had a rather large freezing works there. The works shut down in the early 80’s. The Patea Maori Club put Patea on the map with its hit single Poi-E.

Kawekakea was absolutely fascinated with the black sand at the beach. There were huge sand hills that Kawekakea and Ms H’s son spent quite a number of hours sliding down. The bottom of the bath that night resembled a sand hill all of it’s own! Unfortunately that sand can get in all sorts of little nooks and crannies!

Early on Sunday morning a trip to the neighbouring town was in order. Welcome to Hawera. In the middle of the main street, Ms H found this amazing stone sculpture called “Children of the Earth” by Reece Rongonui and just insisted that Kawekakea have his photo taken with it.
Check it out - what can you see?

All too soon it was time to return to Hawkes Bay. Thanks for having us Patea.