máj 4, 2017 Live from the road

Putaruru - Rotorua

Reported by Daniel Rubin, Don Kerr, Mark Harvey 49.0 km

Pania of Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park holds the torch. Thank-you so much for hosting some of our team. It is much appreciated!

The rest of the team is indebted to Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park for a truly comfortable stay.

Sean and Dan running

We visit Western Heights Primary which is also hosting students from neighbouring Aorangi School

One of the many colourful murals at Western Heights Primary School showing the school mission "E Tu Hei Maunga" -Stand tall as a mountain.

Inside the gymnasium we tell the children that the Peace Run has visited 140 countries over the last 30 years.

Can you guess which country I'm from? Clues...

...and answers

Actions to the song 'World Harmony Run'.

Preetidutta and Vera perform skits illustrating peaceful and non-peaceful actions

Skit of a running race: "Is this an example of peace"?

No, not peaceful.

Shelley joins the girls for another skit.

This skit ends peacefully as they all agree to play together.

In the next skit Danny can't find his glasses and Sean trips him....is that nice?

In the next scene and Sean points out Dan's glasses are on his head. Is that peaceful?

Thumbs up: yes that's peaceful

Vera asks "What does peace mean"?

...and follows up with an exercise to feel peace.

Peace is in the heart -just imagine...

Beautiful artwork. We will send some to an exhibition in Rome.

Our Torch Bearer recipient is Victor Mercep. Victor works with children in the Kiwi Daddy support group, helping them to become better men. He also tutors kapa haka, keeping culture alive and strong in the community.

Thanks to teacher Leanne from Aorangi for making today's wonderful event a reality.

Children from Aorangi hold the torch and make a wish for peace.

Preetidutta and Whaea Mel holding the Peace Torch.

Running with Aorangi children

Running to Aorangi with their top runners

We're there!

Lunch thanks to our super support crew: Pravera (she boiled eggs, made guacomole and brought buns and salad...plus she made a feijoa slice!)

Our next appointment

Prefects of Rotorua Intermediate give us the red carpet treatment! Thanks for your welcome and explanation of all the different nationalities that are represented at your school.

We are presented with colourful art which will take a proud place at the international exhibition at the Coliseum in Rome.

An uplifting and powerful haka!

See you next time!

A mural of the kiwi

Vernei of Rotorua Lakes Council hosts the ceremonial tree planting of a miro at Centennial Park. The council kindly sponsored a plaque. Visit these beautiful gardens!

Bob showing us how to plant the tree level with the ground surface.

The Peace Tree plaque

The Peace Tree is adjacent to the Ikeda Peace Garden where the words of peace visionaries are carved into rocks.

Is it a bird? It's Daniel !

Peace Runners Niryana, Mark and Sean enjoying the autumn colours of the maples.

Pravera, Preetidutta and our Russian runner Vera.

Niryana is really impressed by the tranquility of the Maple Grove.

A great end to the day!

Torch carried by
Daniel Rubin (New Zealand), Don Kerr (New Zealand), Niryana Marshall (New Zealand), Preetidutta Thorpe (New Zealand), Sean Abbott (Fiji), Shelley Palmer (New Zealand), Urdhacheta Yap (Singapore), Vera Sevastiyanova (Russia).  
Photographers
Urdhacheta Yap
The torch has travelled 49.0 km from Putaruru to Rotorua.

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