Staunch local fans of the Warriors NRL side made the most of being able to get up close to their heroes when the Auckland-based NRL franchise flew into Kaitaia for a three-day pre-season camp on Tuesday afternoon.
A small contingent of loyal supporters were present when the main vanguard of the 50-plus strong touring party touched down at Kaitaia Airport onboard a DC3 which circled the town shortly before landing.
With newly appointed coach Stephen Kearney at the helm, the touring party called in to visit a couple of businesses in Kaitaia which had supported the team visit to the Far North, before being formally welcomed by a powhiri at Waimanoni Marae on SH1 just north of Awanui.
Later that night, the players engaged in a mix and mingle at local kura, Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, with selected dignitaries and invited guests, where the dress code required everyone to wear a lavalava.
Kearney proved cagey when asked about the side's prospects ahead of the Warriors' 22nd campaign in the NRL competition next year.
"I don't really have a goal to get a certain position," he said, on being asked if he aimed to guide the team into the top eight.
"For me it's about building the culture, maximising consistency. If we do that we will give ourselves an opportunity. Part of our journey that we are on is starting with who we are, looking for our identity. This [trip] is part of that journey," he said, referring to the bigger picture behind the Warriors' presence in the Far North.
"[We intend to] Connect to the Far North, what it has gone through, youth suicides...everyone who plays in a team has been touched by it. For us, it's an opportunity to give back a little bit of spiritual hope," he said.
The area was an important piece in the legacy of both Warriors and Kiwis sides, having produced local talent of the likes of Stacey Jones, Elijah Taylor and Adam Blair among others.
Warriors community relations manager Petrece Kesha noted the traditional approach to the pre-season camp was to split the side up into four smaller parties to visit four regions throughout New Zealand. However, the decision had been made instead to bring the whole squad north this year in light of the challenges faced by the Kaitaia community in 2016.
Also speaking on Tuesday night were Far North Mayor John Carter and doctor Lance O'Sullivan. Both emphasised the Warriors' visit represented much more than a mere team-bonding session.
Mayor Carter told the Warriors they had come to the "best part of ... the best country in the world. There is a lot of good things happening up here and there are some serious social issues. But there's people here who are on the outside, the outside of sport, the outside of the community of local politics.
"Their families don't have an opportunity. You are going to make a difference to someone's life, you will be part of their lives forever, I can't thank you enough [for being here]."
Former New Zealand of the Year, Doctor O'Sullivan spoke of a new leading edge health initiative he had just introduced which would have its greatest impact in Maori and Pacific Islanders in rural, remote and disadvantaged communities, and told the Warriors their visit was a "shot in the arm" for the Kaitaia community at the end of a tough year.
"It is a wonderful place to live but there are challenges here too. This is a heads-up on the important role that you play. Might help a young kid believe they are great, the next prime minister, lawyer or doctor beneficial to their community and their country."
All speakers at Tuesday night's mix and mingle also paid tribute to a group of local businesses for contributing above and beyond the call of duty to bring the team to the Far North town.
The Warriors put on a day of fun activities and lunch today for an estimated 1200 children from local primary and intermediate schools at Arnold Rae Park. A special flight on the DC3 was laid on by the Moko Foundation for local children unable to be at the session because of illness and/or disability.
Before heading home the Warriors will host a training session open to the public at Arnold Rae Park from 9am to 11am with a VIP area for local children. Before heading back to their Auckland base, the Warriors and their young guests will undertake a community project, cleaning up an abandoned sporting facility with the help of a Kaitaia contracting firm.