Rachel Setters - head of PE and Assistant Principal of Ficino School in Mt Eden greets the co-ordinator of the South Pacific Peace Run, Stacey Marsh.
At the Ficino School assembley - we sing a song with actions; the "World Harmony Run" is a favourite.
Teachers and children know where to feel peace.
Ficino offers the Peace Run team their own daily way of feeling peace, with a prayer in Sanskrit.
Poppy and Krish are members of the school running club - they run every Thursday before school starts.
Here we are at Newton Central School! Children carrying flags of different nations form a welcoming committee.
Students present their aspirations for a peaceful world.
And lots of great ideas from inquisitive minds. Some of the international runners give clues and the children can guess their country.
Anika leads a stirring waiata (song) and the students sing and act beautifully. She is inspiring all the children at the school to learn the Maori language, Te Reo.
Boys from the class accept a certificate of appreciation from the Peace Run, as well as a piece of artwork by Sri Chinmoy on the theme, "World Harmony".
Time to run!
Students carry the torch in a relay across the sports' field.
Who wants to go next...?
...let's go together!
New friends and old friends.
Big thanks to Newton Central and especially teacher, Sally Wallwork (far left), who was inspired by the message and invited the Peace Run today.
High fives by the different countries represented as the runners take the children's well-wishes to the next school.
Sandro of Italy leads the group...
...but as a photographer cannot resist an artful picture opportunity.
A gentleman going for a run is curious and enthralled by the Olympic-style peace torch. He recognized us from the monthly Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team public races.
And the team arrives at St Joseph's of Grey Lynn.
At St Joseph's hall, we turn the lights down to watch a video showing some of the Pacific Island nations this team has visited.
Abhejali takes guesses as to which country (Czech) she comes from. A prolific athlete - she is in an elite group of swimmers that have completed the Oceans Seven, that includes the Cook Straits.
Australian runners give clues that imitate their unique wildlife: guess where I'm from if I jump like this!
Skits on stage illustrate peaceful or not-so-peaceful scenarios. This hilarious skit involves a foot race and under-handed tactics to win.
Principal Aron Sa humbly offers a prayer and blesses the torch as it is carried to a school the following day that he knows so well: Nuie Primary School, in Nuie.
It's a tour of the playground with Mose leading the way.
That evening, to welcome supporters and friends, the Peace Run highlights the South Pacific Peace Run event. The relay started in Tahiti 2 weeks ago, then visited Rarotonga, today New Zealand and will finish next week in Nuie.
A delicious Indian meal is provided by a local caterer, Arpita.
The sweet smelling Manuka flowers decorates the tables.
Aron Thompson is an excellent runner, and sincerely expresses his gratitude for his association with the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run.
The highlight of the evening was the receiving of the Peace Run Torch Bearer Award by Harper Spurway. she is 12 years old but this Kohia Terrace School Head Girl has been prominent in the local news for her in-depth research and publicizing the urgent need to improve our coastline's water quality.
An eloquent speaker and a humble champion of Aucklanders for a better and more inspiring environment.
Other Torch Bearer recipients include NZ high jump record holder Sarah Cowley-Ross and marathon great, Allison Roe.
From left to right is Kohia Terrace principal Alison, Harper, mum Jacqui and father, David.
The torch is passed around as guests listen to songs by the Peace Run choir.
