A week and a half full of activity greeted the students, as orientation commenced.  They spent time getting familiar with their new hometown and its friendly locals, starting with a photo scavenger hunt.  The goal was to explore Kaikoura to find many goods and services they might need such as "gum boots" and a cheap place for mom and pops to stay when they come to town.  Later on, they went tramping around the Kaikoura peninsula, led by Ranger Paul (aka Heartthrob Paul), where they saw Hutton's shearwater habitat reconstruction, sunbathing seals, and perfect panoramas.  As if getting to know the place and locals weren't enough they got to know each other better too during "Big Red Stool", our version of a 4-minute-random-question-hot-seat.  The week ended with a trip off campus to a destination of their choosing.  Most travelled to Christchurch to check out the city life while others carved up the slopes at neighboring Mt Hutt.  

Sunbathing seals, as well as people, like to pose for pictures