In an emotional speech he said his Walk for Hope had become the Journey of Amazing People. He discarded a speech notes he had written and spoke from the heart about the extraordinary people he had met.
Mr Kuraia wanted the walk to raise awareness for alternative cancer treatments like Vitamin C - he credits with helping him back to health - after doctors told him he had weeks to live.
He was diagnosed in April 2013 with acute myeloid leukemia. After 10 weeks in hospital and two cycles of chemotherapy, he was discharged and told his cancer was too aggressive to treat.
He gave his diet an over haul and turned to juicing and combined that with high doses of vitamin C.
A biopsy 10 weeks later showed the cancer was in remission.
Northland police Superintendent Russell le Prou walked the last leg of the journey and said he had no doubt Constable Kuraia would finish.
"I had every confidence in him ... he is the most determined character. It hasn't been an easy 31 days with blisters and then the tragedy of his father passing away. It's a gutsy effort."
If you would like to donate to The 809 Foundation go to https://givealittle.co.nz/search?q=the+809+foundation
- More in tomorrow's Northern Advocate
