Kassius-Kage Petuha had never been to a farm, let alone seen an alpaca before.
When he did, his reaction was priceless.
In a moment captured by Kimi Ora Community School teacher Louise Taotahi, the 5-year-old along with classmate Julian Nelson, 6, can be seen hugging Barney - their arms tightly wrapped around its neck, their eyes closed, and their heads pressing against the fluffy creature.
"I hugged the animals," Kassius-Kage told Hawke's Bay Today with a big grin on his face on Friday.
![Five-year-old Kassius-Kage Petuha with Barney the baby alpaca. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2G6PIDLZNIHQTEGRFC4OAML5AU.jpg?auth=adf454d104bbb74f88d4a9da53453966b1b38d43e549c2f99515766531c37b44&width=16&height=22&quality=70&smart=true)