Max Pearson

It was reported as the largest open air mass in New Zealand at the time.

It was sort of...

What would you call it?

Apprehensive, I suppose, you know?

What would he do?

What would he say?

What did he look like?

I remember we talked about, you know, was he tall?

Was he small?

Was he big?

You know, all those sort of silly things you think when somebody important's coming along, you know, sort of thing.

Are they going to stop and talk to you?

What do they say?

What do you say to them?

You know, all those sort of things.

People were just really getting into the groove, enjoying the fact that this person had come, you know, the head of the church.

But people came from miles around, literally, to the domain.

There's special trains run from Hamilton and things like that.

Buses came from all over the place bringing people.

There is also traditional dancing by members of the Polish community, which means Michael is only yards away from Pope John Paul II as he walks to the stage where the mass will be celebrated.