16 February 2007
Members of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Maori Cultural Group will perform a traditional Maori welcome for the President of Finland, Her Excellency Ms Tarja Halonen, at Government House in Wellington at 9.30 am on Tuesday 20 February.
The powhiri and wero (welcome and challenge) will be part of a ceremony supported by a tri-service Royal Guard of Honour. The New Zealand Army band and will feature a 21-Gun salute fired by members of the Army’s 16 Field Regiment.
President Halonen, who will be in New Zealand from 17 to 21 February, will be accompanied at the ceremony by the Governor General of New Zealand, the Honorable Anand Satyanand, Brigadier Rhys Jones, representing the Chief of Defence Force, and officials from Finland and New Zealand.
This is the first time a Finnish President has visited this country.
On Wednesday 21 February at 10.30am President Halonen will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Buckle Street, in Wellington.
An eight-person catafalque guard comprising personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force will be paraded in support of the ceremony.
ENDS
For further information please contact Ally Clelland, Defence Public Relations
04 496 0273 or 021 569 130.