Champion boxer Joseph Parker arrives for 4-day Whanganui visit.
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Joseph Parker spent his first day in Whanganui with non-stop events as hundreds of his fans welcomed the boxer and lined up for autographs and photos throughout the city.
The first act for the champion boxer after arriving on an Air Chathams flight was posing for photos after he was met by a number of fans at the airport.
Four-year-old Brylie surprised Parker by jumping into his arms for a hug while he was talking to fans.
"I don't go out a lot. I don't travel too much. But when I do travel I see the amazing support and love that we get. It's just great to give back," he said.
"Great to come and see them and actually meet them. Meet those who support us from afar when we're fighting overseas or Auckland."
Parker was given a quick explainer in flying by Air Chathams general manager Duane Emeny, who was the pilot.
"My flight was good. I sat up in the front and the pilots Duane and Andrew showed me how things were controlled up there.
"It was an enjoyable flight ... little bumps towards the end but it was good."
Parker and his entourage, which included his promoter David Higgins from Duco Events, and his brother John Parker, then traveled to Putiki Marae for a powhiri and some food.
Whanganui intermediate student Angus Dawson gets his gloves signed by Joseph Parker.
After that Parker visited Whanganui High School where he was presented with a Samoan song and dance performed by some of the students. At one point Parker got up and joined in the dance.
The gym was filled with many of the school community. Parker took questions from the students after talking to them about his journey in boxing.
He then went to a car dealership across the road from Whanganui Intermediate and students gathered there for autographs. One of the students, Angus Dawson, had brought his boxing gloves and had Parker sign them.
Parker spent the evening at a charity dinner at Frank Bar + Eatery where an auction raised money for the Awa Kings boxing club. The food was cooked in a hangi which was laid down in Majestic Square during the day.
This morning Parker will be the guest speaker at a Whanganui Māori Business Network breakfast at Parnell's Cafe.
He will then go through some firearms training at a local range before being taken to the International Commercial Pilot Academy for a flying lesson.
Joseph Parker is surprised by four-year-old Brylie at the airport.
He'll finish Thursday by visiting the Awa Kings and running a boxing training session.
A large part of Parker's trip is reserved for going bush and learning about hunting. He'll go hunting for pigs, deer and goats.
"I love fishing so the only other thing missing is the hunting," Parker said at the airport.
"So I'm looking forward to actually getting out there doing some hunting, camping out where we are going and actually learning."
He'll finish his time in Whanganui with a bit of jet boating on Saturday.
Local business owner Chris Kumeroa, Hayden Potaka from Te Manu Atatu and Lequan Meihana from Rātana Rangatahi have been the lead organisers for Parker's Whanganui trip.
