coming ashore in my longboat
           gliding gently into the shallows
           the happy slap of ocean meeting land.

           feet splashing into the water
           hands drag the boat to rest
           high above the tide line
           a wave of driftwood and opened shells.

           gull prints etched in the slate grey sand.

           wind tugs our hair
           tattoos tell stories of who we are
           mullet waters- Waikanae –
           fire on the beach
           children playing  fish eaten and plans made.

           Kapiti – bold and mountain blue island
           where maori and european , whale and greenstone met
           symbol of our dreaming.

           like you we too are travellers here
           and call these islands home.