Fanny the flat cat woke us up at 8 today by trying to break into our room. She must be hungry. It was a good wake up call as we were supposed to get up soon to volunteer at a running and cycling race held at the Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, situated between Masterton and Eketahuna. Did contemplate not showing up as we were tired and it was raining but that would be rude. Rain got heavier on the way there. Reached around 9.30am and saw other volunteers already stationed at the carpark. Participants still turned up despite the rain. Andrew passed us rain gear and roughly briefed us what to do. Our duty for the day was to gesture to racers where the finish line was.


We've got an hour or so to chill out before the lead vehicle arrives so we stayed indoors and helped ourselves to


some light refreshments.


The famous white kiwi lives here and volunteers get free entry to the park heh heh


Waiting for the duathlon cyclists while trying not to let my matching Mitre 10 umbrella blow up again in the strong wind. I forgot about my wet and frozen feet for awhile when I saw them persevere till the end. Completing the race in this wet and wild weather is no mean feat!


A kind volunteer offering him a cup of hot tea


Asked the Pukaha staff if we could use the free pass another day as the weather was still rubbish but the answer was no. Too bad. In we go to find the kiwi. Heard boisterous sound of these kaka (native parrots) near the entrance.


Been here for awhile but I've not seen a kiwi before.


Kiwis are nocturnal and their habitats are kept dark. We watched Manukura and another brown kiwi nearby dart around looking for food. They look like big chickens without wings.