The view from our room...

Natural hotspot...

Meet some of the friendly locals.

Look, this is the World Harmony Run visiting us!

We began our day with all three teams together running to the amazing and inspirational Tairua School.

The children led a program of speeches and sang the beautiful “Sea Song” accompanied by a recording of whale calls.

This school’s preparation for our visit, understanding of the vision of the World Harmony Run, and overall reception of our teams was truly unprecedented.

There was a genuine atmosphere of peace created by the whole school when the children went silent for one minute with hands on heart. At least one teacher said that they will continue to do this exercise in the classroom to create ongoing peace in the school environment.

The teachers at this school have strong positive values and this is reflected in their students. "The children have been working on becoming “Global Citizens” and your team fits right in with this” the Principal said.

Tairua School presented a “Global Citizens Award” to us! We were humbled and overwhelmed by this honour and truly treasure the beautiful framed certificate given to us to take on our continuing journey…

The whole school took part as “World Harmony Runners” by running around the world with us and giving high-fives to different team members who represented each continent.

We ran out of Tairua School with a small group of students.

Thank you Tairua School for all your inspiration and encouragement. We do hope to visit again soon!!

Nelson stopping to enjoy a musical interlude

Native forest...

Horse and human share a moment of harmony

New Zealand's Pohutakawa "Christmas tree" is starting to bloom

A young journalist sizes up a good shot

Feeling peace inside

Showtime!

The live entertainment was great at this school. The students and teachers performed an amazing version of the World Harmony Run song.

Tomorrow's peace-builders getting ready to lead.

When it was time to run with the harmony torch and team around the perimeter of the school, these champion runners of the future really took off!!

An afternoon tea worth running around the country for!

Apaguha from Czech Republic is a media sensation

"I run because it's fun"

Many schools along the way have inaugurated a Peace Tree, which will become a focal point and reminder for children that they are the guardians of our planet.

At both Waihi East and Waihi Central Schools, the children inspired us with presentations about what harmony and peace means to them.

In the afternoon we had an amazing meeting on the road. Three children and their mother from Florida,USA stopped next to us. They knew everything about the World Harmony Run, because the team visited them in their school in Florida! What a great meeting! Thanks for stopping.

Special thanks to:

The Pinnacles Backpackers www.pinnaclesbakpak.co.nz

Tairua Beach House

Blue Water Motel www.bluewatermotel.co.nz

Tairua Beach Villa Backpackers www.tairuabackpackers.co.nz

Tairua Shores Motel www.tairuashores.co.nz

Golden Grove Holiday Park www.golden-grove.co.nz

– Hridayanee

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Distance: 125 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), Harita Davies (New Zealand), Shobhavati Davies (New Zealand), Hridayinee Williams (Australia), Malyavati Klapper (New Zealand), Shvastinee Ballantyne (New Zealand), Priyala Carvalho (Brazil), Suradhuni Anderson (New Zealand)

Gallery: See more images!

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