He may be out of the All Blacks with a leg injury, but that didn't stop ABs great Dan Carter being the centre of attention when he and fellow ABs Jerome Kaino and Charlie Faumuina visited the Bay of Islands this week. The trio took time out from their schedules to visit Opua, Paihia and Russell schools on Thursday and they were mobbed everywhere they went, including on the passenger ferry from Paihia to Russell. And even a limping Carter was still a treat for fans following his leg injury in last weekend's Super Rugby final that has ruled him out of the next few tests. For Carter the visit brought back childhood memories of his life in a small town, dreaming of one day becoming an All Black. And no doubt the visit has left life-long memories for the children - and adults - they met in the Bay.
Northern Advocate photographer John Stone went to Paihia to catch the action.