Emma's walk through Tawa

Emma Daken is a 20-year-old Tawa-based student who has just completed her second year at Victoria University. On 1 November 2008 she started a solo walk of the length of New Zealand in a bid to raise awareness of and funds for CFANZ (Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand). Her 2240 kilometre 70-day walk began at Cape Reinga and will finish at Bluff on 9 January 2009.

These pics show Emma's arrival in and walk through Tawa yesterday, Monday 8 December. She took time off to head up to her old school, Tawa College, where several hundred Year 9 & 10 students 'saluted' her arrival and she took the opportunity to tell them exactly what her mammoth undertaking is all about. At this stage "Emma's Walk for a Cure" has raised more than $20,000. Details are available at: http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/EmmaDaken08 and http://emmadaken.blogspot.com.

At different points along the way people join Emma to walk a few or many kilometres. A party of around ten, mostly locals, accompanied her through Tawa and on to Johnsonville. One who walked all the way yesterday from Paekakariki to Wellington was the capital's former mayor and recently 'retired' MP, Mark Blumsky. Today, Tuesday, she will be starting the South Island leg of her journey. All the best, Emma, you're doing brilliantly!

	Entering Tawa from the north - alongside Linden Park. Emma is leading the pack, her driver Paul is at the back, with Mark Blumsky third to last.
	Like the sign says ...
	The shops in the centre of Tawa, passing the Pink Pineapple bakery.
	The very centre of Tawa, passing the kereru sculpture.
	A detour to Tawa College. About to head up the driveway.
	College students lining the driveway.
	Cheering on the former Tawa College student.
	Back to the Main Road. A short stop outside the library.
	The party had grown to around 10 at this point.
	Continuing in a southerly direction along the Main Road.
	By the BP petrol station.
	The bucket tree - world famous in Tawa.
	About to continue on from the bucket tree.
	Leaving Tawa and heading in the direction of Johnsonville.