Powhiri...Waiata...Hongi...Hakari...the events of Friday, March 18th dinner hosted by the New Zealand Embassy
March 18th “Aleethia’s Friday Night Dinner” was hosted by Rt Hon Mike Moore, Ambassador of New Zealand to the United States.
Rt Hon Mike Moore
Embassy staff members and other New Zealanders performed the “Pōwhiri,” the Maori welcome ceremony for the injured service members attending the “Hākari” (dinner feast).
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!
The indigenous Māori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as land of the long white cloud. Tables were decorated with items to represent the cites of Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury, City of Plenty, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Otago, Taranaki, Nelson, Marlborough and other major cities of New Zealand. New Zealanders (“Kiwis”) served as table hosts and provided informative conversations of the culture, food, customs, landscape, etc. of the various regions. A buffet of delectable New Zealand beef, lamb chops, vegetables, wine and, of course, Pavlova – a traditional celebratory dessert. The friendly and outgoing Kiwis made for a most enjoyable evening.
Commodore David Anson, Defence Air and Naval Attachè served as “Master of Ceremonies.” Guests were involved in a “quiz” of New Zealand facts! The Kiwis presented the injured service members with commemorative coins, Kiwi and Silver Fern lapel pins, a CD of New Zealand “hot list” music, a DVD of the sights and scenes of New Zealand and many other gracious gifts as mementos of the event.
RT Hon Mike Moore, Ambassador of New Zealand
Welcomes Service Members
RUGBY WORLD CUP
SEPTEMBER 9 - OCTOBER 23, 2011
NEW ZEALAND ---- GO KIWIS!!!!
