Friday Staying at the Big Bush Camp, near Onepoto, served us well. Nineteen trampers participated in the Day Walks. Four arrived in the first van on Thursday evening  and prepared for the Friday morning arrival of the others (after their overnight stay at Te Whaiti). After we delivered the pack carrying group to the Onepoto start of their track, we set off for Lake Waikareiti.  It took one hour from the Visitor Centre to the Shelter, on the well-formed and graded pathway. We lunched at the Shelter area, many of us inside the upgraded enclosed shelter, with cool outdoor  temperatures, on a cloudy day. Finders of fungi Rose and Mary were delighted with the many varieties seen. We then followed the tramping track among lovely forest ferns and trees, with views of the lake for one hour before returning the same way back to the vans.  A short stop at the Visitor Centre and back to base. Mark led us in a heart-felt and impacting delivery of  Philippians 2 – the humanity, humility and majesty of Jesus, which silenced us as a group in awe of Him. Saturday Rain delayed our departure, but not for long! The sky cleared and we had a pleasant and enjoyable morning  climb of the Panekiri Bluff, all the group ascending  in 1.5 hours.  The view was clear and we lunched in sunshine enjoying the broad expansive lake vista!  Following our descent we drove to Lou’s Lookout. This was a short steep track with incredible rock fall evident, from the time when the landslide blocked the river, forming the lake. The path veered below rock overhangs, and at one point was totally enclosed under a rock, needing time for the eyes to adjust to see the way out.  A few of the group reached the viewing platform before the rain reached us, but most encountered a wet minimal view on arrival at the top. We hurried back down to the vans. Leila led us in devotions with the theme of Denial and Betrayal.  Beginning with the Biblical account  of Jesus, she went on to relate this to the history of the NZ Maori people, who were betrayed, but yet  who in fact, in early days,  embraced the gospel because it brought peace without retribution. This  links with the 2014 celebrations of the first gospel message in NZ by Samuel Marsden. Betrayal was related to the Turkish Christians, quoting group who were killed by some apparently’ sincere seekers’ who turned on them, in a country dear to Leila. We prayed in groups in response. Sunday An early 8am van drop-off for the group, led by Murray, taking the longer Lake Kaitawa track to Mt Ngamoko. We appreciated seeing the Power Station near the track start. The group reported some challenging terrain and reached the top in 3-3.5hrs. A second group began from Whaitiri Point, ascending first to view the 800-1000yr old Rata tree.  Four returned to do some shorter walks, but a group of six led by Barbara Langridge, ascended the steeper approach to the summit of Mt Ngamoko, arriving at the top in exactly 2.5 hours. We were grateful for a recently cleared track with plenty of loose-cut fern and flax! The steeper upper sections, and a few easier ridges were exposed to cold wind, but a lovely sheltered spot beside the summit provided a warmer lunch spot.  We descended carefully especially on the steep rocky sections.  Then went to the Motor Camp to fill vans with petrol. Devotions in the evening were led by Katherine. A Biblical account of the Resurrection was shared, and evidence in the lives of Christians today attest to our Risen Lord! We were challenged to ask ourselves – What does the Resurrection mean to us today? Monday An efficient pack up routine and away we went to the Visitor Centre area, where we enjoyed a number of short walks. The Hinerau Walk (30 min) and the Aniwaniwa Falls Track (30min) enabled us to view the Aniwaniwa  (Rainbow) Falls, The Bridal Veil Falls and the Momahaki Falls. After a snack stop we walked along the Aniwaniwa Road to the Papakorito Falls (30 min each way in warm sunshine). Their higher 20m drop was spectacular. All waterfalls were in high flow and were most impressive!  Soon after 12 noon we departed for the pick-up for the overnight trampers at the Hopuruahine Landing. All were on the roadside ready for the lunch we brought and shared, before departure for Rotorua and Auckland. COST: $250.00