Kawerau calling here: Raro just like home
By Shona Pitt

Kawerau Harriers … they keep coming
back to Rarotonga because it’s just like home.

For six years in a row, this group of friends has returned to our shores to take part in the Round Raro Race.
This year the group from Kawerau consists of Dennis and Pam Jackson, Averil Edhouse and her granddaughter Jamie Huria. Plus the ‘odd one out’, Jason Moore, from Wellington.
Members of the Kawerau Harriers in the Bay of Plenty, they travel all over the world to compete in races.
Pam Jackson said they first heard of the Round Rarotonga Race when they were competing in a marathon in Brisbane six years ago.
“That was in the month of July, we heard about the race in Rarotonga, thought that it would be a good idea to compete, so we booked, came in September, and haven’t looked back since.”
EXCUSE
According to Pam the race is now just an excuse to return to Rarotonga.
“We all just love it here, we love coming here; it’s just like home.
“A lot of the things are the same, the money is the same, the language is the same and even the sense of humour is the same.”
The frequent visitors prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation where they can “chill out and hang out” together.
We aren’t hotel people,” Dennis Jackson said
“We prefer to stay somewhere that has a homely atmosphere to it.”
They rent push bikes as they say this mode of transport allows them to go at a slower pace around the island, which in turn allows them to take everything in. They made the comment that they feel sorry for the visitors who wiz around the island on motorbikes and cars as they miss out on a lot.
“We cycle up the back roads, stop and talk to people, admire gardens, the push bikes allow us to do that, just meandering around,” Pam explained.
BANANAS
They enjoy the fresh vegetables, and say the bananas are “to die” for and Dennis reckons that the women just come to shop for pearls.
Jason said that he just prefers to hang out with a beer and a book and catch up on his reading. He said that with his hectic lifestyle and job he very rarely gets the chance to relax, and that is why he enjoys his trips to Rarotonga.
‘I am quite happy to sit here all day reading.’
Another important reason why they enjoy coming back is because, of all the friends that they have made over the years.
“That really is the most important part, it’s the people that we have met and know, that would be the main reason we keep coming back here.”
So watch out. Kawerau will be calling next year. Again.

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