​(Erica)
 I had some bad luck on this journey, I had accidentally locked my keys in my car that I left in Tauranga. Colin and I managed to get a ride back at night to break into it and bring the car over so I’d have a vehicle for the journey home.  However when we got there we found my poor car had been vandalised!  The windscreen was shattered, one wing mirror knocked off and front door stove in.  Aaaaarrrrrggggg!!!!  Lucky I had full insurance which also paid for a rental to get me home and to work while the car was being repaired.
 

Sunday, 2 September.
(David)
Father's Day ! A cloudy start to the day. Colin and Erica walked into Ngongotaha, some 9 kms .  We set up our first signature-gathering effort on the petition forms, in the open-air courtyard of the Essence Cafe there, thanks to a very obliging cafe owner. We had a second, rather grand breakfast, and gathered a good bit of attention and a quantity of signatures. The owner of the liquor store across the road from the cafe insisted on giving us free munchies and soft drinks to see us happily on our way to Rotorua.
 

Another 10 kms  we parked at Rotorua Lakeside where there was a Sunday Market. We set up for signature-gathering again and wished that we had arrived at the market much earlier as they were closing down.
Colin took us to the property of friends, Sylka and Richard, where we set up camp for our last night.
 

(Erica)
My sincerest thanks to Sylka and Richard for such an enjoyable evening. Lots of food and drinks and laughter galore!  Honestly I haven’t laughed that hard in ages.  Truly grand hosts!

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Monday, 3 September.
(David)
A dreadful, rainy, windy morning. Richard and Sylka served us up a mini feast at 7am which was most appreciated.

We set up a small table for gathering petition signatures, in a covered alcove between the Family and the District courts' entrances at about 8 am, but later on moved across the road which was better sheltered. Despite the bad weather, we collected a good number of signatures, and heard many more stories similar to Colin's.

We tried to get the local media to come and get an interview/photo opportunity, but no reporter showed. Sad.

All in all we did very well that morning gathering signatures despite the weather. And so ended this stage of our hikoi.  We were all exhausted, especially Colin who walked every single km so it was nice to arrive back to the comforts of home.

(Erica)
I would like to thank all those that took the time to listen to us, sign our petition, wish us luck and share their stories.  Thanks also to the owner of the Tandoori restaurant who also offered us refreshments.
We’ll see you all on 1st October when we restart our hikoi to Wellington!!!

 

See Colin's mihimihi on next page.

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