Whakatāne teenager Jack Karetai-Barrett is more than half-way to Wellington, raising awareness for Māori wards.

The 15-year-old Whakatāne Youth Council member is cycling the almost 900 kilometres over 12 days with the aim of delivering a letter of support for Māori wards to the Prime Minister.

The ride is a continuation of a hikoi he made to Tauranga in the last school holidays.

Jack left Whakatāne on Saturday, supported by his mates on the first leg of his journey, which ended in Waiotapu.

Day two, from Waiotapu to Pureora, was longer than it should have been with Jack getting a little lost and having to backtrack.

His mum and “roadie” for the first few days, Mawera Karetai, said there were some good lessons learned that day with the challenges bringing Jack’s problem- solving skills, resilience and determination to the fore.

From Pureora it was onto the Timber Trail for a couple of days

Day five, from Taumarunui to Raetihi, was a tough one with some big hills but Jack survived with a smile, enjoying the benefit of a tail wind and seeing lots of snow, deer and goats.

With incoming bad weather, Ms Karetai was inundated with messages yesterday morning from people wanting to know Jack was safe.

She said she appreciated the concern but there was no need to worry.

“He is a smart sensible young man who has done so much risk management work through his Duke of Edinburgh award training that he could do it for a job,” she said.

Yesterday, Jack was travelling from Raetihi to Whanganui where there was a community dinner planned for him last night.

With the road works closing the road from Raetihi and an incoming storm affecting visibility, his host from the previous night decided to drive him to Whanganui instead. The earlier arrival gave him time to meet with local media and have his bike serviced before dinner.

Ms Karetai told the Beacon yesterday that Jack was feeling great, physically and mentally.

He had been riding five-to-six hours a day with no adverse effects. Family friends who were riders were in daily contact, coaching him on the physical and mental aspects of a long bike journey.

“He is so happy and meeting amazing people,” Ms Karetai said.

“The generosity and kindness of people has been big suprise to me; people have opened their homes and hearts ot him.”

She said Jack had told her he was feeling “joy”.

“He’s on his bike and feels the joy of being on his way to do something that matters to him.”

Jack expects to arrive at the steps of Parliament on Wednesday next week, following further overnight stops in Hunterville, Apiti, Palmerston North, Masterton and Featherston.

The plan had been to hand-deliver a letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon outlining why Māori wards mattered to him, but Jack knew before he left that Mr Luxon would not receive the letter.

Ms Karetai said Mr Luxon had said he would not be receiving the letter and had not offered anyone to receive it in his place.

However, Labour party leader Chris Hipkins had offered to receive the letter instead and hand it on to the prime minister.

The letter is a personal request, asking Mr Luxon to vote for Māori wards on Jack’s behalf, and on behalf of all rangatahi.