Kaitaia was the focus of the first day of the visit of Dame Patsy and Sir David to Northland, and they were very impressed with the warmth of the welcome they received at all six engagements.
A powhiri at Te Ahu Centre was followed by a citizenship ceremony for 17 new New Zealanders. The Murray whanau welcomed them next to Kai Ora Honey, one of a number of whanau-based honey operations in the Far North. Kai Ora Honey produces high quality manuka honey, mainly for the export market, and is constantly looking for new ways to use honey to create niche products.
Kaitaia Primary School students welcomed Their Excellencies with a powhiri and visits to two classrooms, and then the next stop was the He Korowai Trust, where Ricky Houghton and his colleagues are transforming lives with housing and employment initiatives.
The final stop was to the Moko Foundation, where Dr Lance O'Sullivan and his team are revolutionising health care for children, using digital technology to allow greater access.
