First hand account of arriving in New Plymouth for Trans Tasman Kayakers

My sister in law Barbara McKerrow was at the landing in New Plymouth for the two Trans Tasman kayakers. Here is her story and above, two of her photographs. The first is James and Justin arriving, and below a Maori welcoming party. Thanks Barb.

Kia ora Bob

I have just returned from a great event at New Plymouth's Ngamotu Beach
where the intrepid cross-Tasman kayakers arrived just after midday. I was
part of the welcoming party with our Mayor and it was bedlam down on the
beach. The boys were in high spirits and seemed in good shape after such an
ordeal. They could walk (just) and I stood next the mother of one of them
(James)who wept to see her son arrive to such a fantastic Taranaki/New Zealand welcome. The Mayor said the estimated crowd up and down the coast out to greet them was 45,000. Attached are 3 of the better photos I managed to get - the arrival, the kapa haka group and the 2 men speaking to the media. They were overwhelmed. I hope this is useful to you.

Cheers

Barbara