Dream trip to Rotorua for battler Anaru Young

Terminally-ill Anaru Young, 30, and his siblings were given a weekend in Rotorua by Race4Life Trust. Yesterday they enjoyed a lunch at Capers Epicurean Restaurant. Photo / Stephen Parker

It was an action-packed stay for terminally-ill Auckland man Anaru Young during his weekend in Rotorua, having been gifted the trip organised by the Race for Life Trust Wish-List Service.

He was joined by one of his sisters, a nephew and two brothers.

Visiting the city was a dream Mr Young had for his 30th birthday - a date he didn't think he'd make, having been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and after suffering his first heart attack six years ago.

Rotorua's healing waters at Polynesian Spa did their soothing trick, although his much anticipated ride on the Shweeb at Agroventures proved more difficult.

Mr Young said he didn't quite have the strength required to power the cab and thought he wasn't going to make it around the track: "It was a bit too much on my body, but I got there in the end and after I recovered I really did enjoy it."

Younger brother, Herewini Moki-Young from Wellington, took up the opportunity for the last ride.

"I've never been to any theme parks before so it was real fun - the most heart-racing thing I've done."

It was the behind-the-scenes tour at Rainbow Springs Mr Young enjoyed the most, getting up close with a tuatara. The encounter was his first with New Zealand's prehistoric descendant having only dealt with snakes before in Australia.

"The skin was soft like an old person's hand, whereas an Australian lizard's skin is snake-like and hard," he said.

All the weekend accommodation was put on thanks to a two-night stay at Millennium Hotel Rotorua, with dinner at Rydges Hotel, and on a clear Saturday evening the family felt on top of the world dining and taking in the view from the Stratosphere Restaurant after a ride on the luge at Skyline Rotorua.

"The view was nice and it was very good being with my siblings," he said. "People have been wonderful. I can't thank the community enough - even the public in general have been very nice," he said.

Wish-List Service co-ordinator Viv James said it was fantastic how the Rotorua community had got behind Mr Young: "He's a wonderful example of someone being able to embrace the moment. He was told he wouldn't make last Christmas and it's his wonderful energy and human spirit and determination that has made the difference."