Stars come out for VIP event at Pamapuria

Warriors star player Kevin Locke shows his pukana style. PICTURE/PETRINA HODGSON

Stars of New Zealand's sporting and music worlds spent the day at a small Far North school recently, as the forerunners of what is hoped will become a regular event.

Warriors fullback Kevin Locke and Nesian Mystics frontman Te Awanui 'Awa' Reeder were guests at Pamapuria School for its inaugural VIP (Various Inspirational People) Day.

New principal Rikki Horlock said the aim of the day was "to inspire tamariki that they can be whatever it is that they want to be."

The guests arrived on Tuesday evening for dinner with the school community at a Kaitaia restaurant, then next morning shared breakfast with staff and pupils before presenting members of the new student council with their badges at a special assembly. They devoted the rest of the day ensuring that they visited every classroom, dancing, playing games, signing autographs and generally entertaining the children.

Te Awanui (Ngai Te Rangi) lives in Auckland, as does Kevin Locke (Tainui), although he has strong Far North links. His grandparents, Bruce and Anita Harold, live in Awanui, and he visits the Far North most summers.

At Pamapuria he kept the new entrants entertained by playing 'duck, duck, goose,' and an energetic game of bulrush.

"I do this for the kids. It's awesome. I love kids and working with kids," he said.

Children from Awanui School joined in, and other schools are reportedly keen to take part in the next VIP Day, Mr Horlock saying he was planning to stage one day each term. He had some rugby and netball stars in mind, but would be asking the children who they wanted to meet.

"The kids had a ball. Seeing how happy they were just about brought me to tears, "he said.

"I'm glad we can bring this kind of expertise to our school and show our kids what is possible for them."

There was no let-up for Kevin when he retreated to the staffroom in the hope of grabbing a spot of lunch, however; it was star-struck staff and parents begging for autographs there.

Meanwhile, Year 1 pupil Kahlia Lloyd said she enjoyed dancing in the classroom with Awa, while K'Dence Harrison (Year 4) said: "I got to meet Kevin Locke and Te Awanui Reeder in person, and they told me to follow my dreams."

Jayden Yates (Year 7): "It made me believe that I can achieve my goals and be anything I want to be."

Mr Horlock and his wife Lizzy (nee Igasan) are sporting celebrities in their own right. He is a former coach of the North Harbour touch team, and captained the national side that won the Touch Rugby World Cup in Auckland in 2001. Whangarei-born Mrs Horlock played hockey for New Zealand from 2001, competing in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, captaining the side in Beijing. She was player of the year in 2004, 2005 and 2008.