Making the long ride from Cape Reinga to Bluff to raise awareness about human trafficking, Naresh Kumar has pedalled into Rotorua on his tandem bike.
Mr Kumar, who has previously run the length of the country, wouldn't want to do it any other way.
"People don't understand what freedom really means," he said.
"Twenty one million people around the world have been trafficked as slaves and 4.5 million into sex work."
In partnership with Tearfund, Mr Kumar chose a tandem bike as the perfect way to show people what it's like to have their freedom taken away. During his ride south he is giving lifts to strangers along the way.
"One, you can't steer on the back, two, you can't stop and three, you just have to put your trust in this random guy," he said. "There's a curiosity that gets them on the bike, but I've seen even grown men absolutely freak out."
However, the journey that started out as a way to teach others had become a different story for Mr Kumar.
"The story has changed; it's become me riding kindness, fuelled by kindness," he said.
By yesterday when he arrived in Rotorua his efforts had already raised more than $7000 for the organisation, however he said he did not deserve credit.
"Yesterday I cried at how much I've got from other people," he said "I couldn't do this without them.
"I pedal into strangers' lives at my most vulnerable, with all my weakness. I tell them what I'm doing, and the next day I leave as family."
Haydn Marriner, general manager at Zorb, helped arrange Mr Kumar's stopover in Rotorua.
"I was unaware of the extent of the problem, until he brought it to our attention," he said. "We just wanted to offer him some hospitality, that's what we do here in Rotorua."
Rotorua Downtown Backpackers also stepped up, offering him a bed to stay in last night.
"For us it's just generally what we do, it's a great opportunity for him to spread his message with people from all over the world," said Emmeline Bradley, rooms manager.
Rotorua district councillor Tania Tapsell is jumping on the bike tomorrow as Mr Kumar makes his way through to Tamaki Village.
"It's such a great cause; I just wanted to help him on this small part."
To follow Mr Kumar's journey go to freedomseat.org.nz.
Tandem bike journey teaches important lesson
Naresh Kumar (left) with Haydn Marriner. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
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