New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Advisory
Tuesday 7 December 2004

ARMY SUPPORT THE PRESENTING OF CREDENTIALS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

A 25 person Guard of Honour and a Maori Ceremonial Group from the New Zealand Army 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 Wednesday 8 December 2004.

Five Heads of Mission will present their credentials tomorrow. They are: HE Mr Lech Mastalerz, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, resident in Wellington; HE Mr Mikhail Nikolaevich Lysenko, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, resident in Wellington; HE Mr Meas Kim Heng, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia, resident in Canberra; HE Mr Peter Prochacka, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, resident in Canberra and HE Mrs Anca Roxana Visan, Ambassador of Romania, resident in Canberra

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 Government House Kaumatua, to symbolise the coming together of the overseas guest and the people of New Zealand, the Army Guard will offer a General Salute, while the appropriate national flag is unfurled. After the Head of Mission inspects the guard, their flag is brought down and they are escorted into Government House.

Ends.

© Scoop Media