Walkers get a touch of history and fitness

About 120 people tackled Mount Kahuranaki on Sunday for a health and education focused hikoi.
Maori, pakeha, young and old, took part in the hikoi which began in the morning with karakia and waiata at Kahuranaki Station, before heading up the peak.
On the way up participants learned the history of the mountain and its relationship with local people, as well as surrounding maunga (mountains) and the Heretaunga area.
Te Aute College gave a performance on the summit, while various representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries, Hastings police, Ngawhenua Rahui and Choices gave presentations to about 80 young people. Among the guests were some of the 12 locals who cycled the 300km from Hawke's Bay to Wellington last week. The hikoi was orchestrated to reconnect kids with local landmarks and continue education outside the classroom.
But organiser Zack Makoare, kaiwhakahaeri (support person) from Ta Taitimu Trust, said the hikoi was appropriate for all ages. "A lot of people don't know about the history. You may have lived here for 40 or 50 years and not known anything about this maunga. It was about making the real connection with the local landmark."
He said the day was "awesome". "They really enjoyed it and all of that inter-generational stuff. It's the new Whanau Ora plan, families getting together for activities like these." Mr Makoare said the hikoi also promoted a healthy lifestyle by "getting people off the couch".