city too, and with the farewells of her own family, she could hear the shouts and laughter of the others. “Bring back a neat Pakeha wife Tom, but make sure she can cook kai!” “Don't forget your father's saddle Manu, and bring back some lollies for the kids.” “You fellas behave yourselves and don't drink too much of that beer stuff!” Soon the bus was speeding over the hills bound for the city, the new city, the Pakeha city. Mahu watched outside as the countryside shot past her window. She tried to imagine why she was leaving this peaceful Maori settlement for some strange Pakeha world. She saw some men planting kumaras in the hot sun, children playing on their horses, free and happy, and some others swimming naked and unashamed in the river. How heavy was her heart as she said “Haere Ra” to her old life. “Tena Koe, Mahu”. Mahu spun round and saw her old friend Jimmy, from the village, sitting in the seat next to hers. Amidst the grief of parting she had not noticed the dark good-looking boy beside her. “Tena Koe, Hemi,” she replied, surprised but pleased to see someone she knew. “E haere ana koe ki whea?” she asked, hoping he would be going to the city too. “To Auckland, to work,” came the reply, and soon the two friends were talking eagerly about this big city, comparing the opinions they had heard from others. “I am going to work hard!” said Jimmy, with an air of determination, “and gain a position of importance amongst the Pakeha, and show the Maoris that we still have some leaders.” “Kapai tena, Hemi,” Mahu replied. “I too am going to study hard and show the Pakeha what a ‘back-block’ Maori can do.” And so the conversation carried on, and the bus continued and the big city drew nearer and nearer. The bus stopped with a jerk and Mahu woke from her sleep. She had dozed off during the trip, and had dreamed that she was eeling with Peni, and her father. At first she did not know where she was, but when she saw Jimmy beside her she remembered. He whispered softly to her. “Look, Mahu. Look out of the window.” It was almost dark and Auckland had all her lights glowing. Mahu stared in bewilderment, her eyes transfixed on the strange surroundings. Buildings taller than kauri trees, cars and buses all new in appearance, and the people, there were hundreds, some walking, some running and some standing almost everywhere. Frightened, yet deeply excited, she climbed out of the bus.