This year we took 22 boys away with us to play at various schools in the South Island. Kaikoura was our first choice as, like us, they have been battling against the devastation of an earthquake.  

The tour started in Christchurch with a concert at Chisnallwood.  This was very well received.  Then we packed up in the pouring rain to go on to a concert in Cheviot. Valentino, Tasi and Gideon got the crowd going and the students got up and danced and had a great time. The drive through to Kaikoura was quite sombering as the destruction of the roads, hills and beach sides became apparent.

The two concerts at Kaikoura High – one for the Primary School and one for the High School – were seriously good and the appreciation from both the staff and pupils was palpatable. The whole school was dancing, Tasi leading a conga line and even the staff got into it dancing alongside their students. It was awesome and the principal of the school was so thankful for bringing joy to his students. 

We left Kaikoura in a howling southerly with the inland road to Waiau closed due to flooding,  and not fully knowing if the coast road was open or not! We eventually ended up going down the coast and then inland via the Leader Road. 

The boys loved the pools in Hanmer.  Then onto the next performance on Wednesday morning for Hanmer Springs Primary. We were there fairly early and, after the set up, the boys got to play with the primary students, the sight of three or four primary students hanging off some of our boys whilst playing touch was absolutely priceless. The tour ended in Hawarden at Hurunui College. 

Our boys were magnificent throughout the tour and showed great empathy and leadership qualities. A very successful tour, that would not have been as good without the trusty support of Ian Thorpe our bus driver/ jazz band director and general tour guide.