New Zealand Defence Force personnel paraded a 50-person guard of honour as part of the welcome for Vietnam's senior leader Nong Duc Manh at Parliament on 10 September 2009. Following a traditional Maori challenge, Prime Minister John Key and Speaker Lockwood Smith welcomed the General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party. The Vietnamese leader inspected the Air Force guard of honour and stood with his delegation and NZ politicians while both countries anthems were played by the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The ceremony attracted a large number of Vietnamese nationals, and involved a 19-gun salute fired from Point Jerningham.