New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Advisory

Monday 20 September, 2004

AIR FORCE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

A Maori Ceremonial Group and a 25 person Guard of Honour from the Royal New Zealand Air Force will provide support to the Governor General of New Zealand, Her Excellency The Honourable Dame Silvia Cartwright, PCNZM, DBE, at a Credentials Ceremony being held at Government House on 21 September 2004. The Governor General will receive Heads of Mission at 11am.

Heads of Mission to be presented are the Ambassador for the Netherlands, Henrica E C M ter Braack; the High Commissioner for Malaysia, Dato' Sopian bin Ahmad; the Ambassador for Chile, Juan A Salazar Sparks; the High Commissioner for India, Mr Harish Kumar Dogra and the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Karel Pazourek.

The Maori Ceremonial Group will offer a wero to each Head of Mission, including offering them a 'dart' or small carved spear as part of the ceremonial challenge. A Karanga (call of welcome) and a haka will follow the wero. After a hongi is performed between the Head of Mission and the groups Kaumatua, to symbolise the coming together of the overseas guest and the people of New Zealand, the Air Force Guard will offer a General Salute, while the appropriate national flag is unfurled. After the Head of Mission inspects the guard, their flag is taken down and they are escorted into Government House.

Ends

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