5 March 2007
The New Zealand Army will provide a 25-person Guard of Honour and a Maori Ceremonial Group in support of a Credentials Ceremony to be held at Government House this week.
The Heads of Mission - His Excellency Mr António Augusto Jorge Mendes of Portugal, His Excellency Mr Aturo Duarte Otiz of Guatemala, and His Excellency Mr Badre Eddine Allali of Morocco - will present their credentials at 11.20am on Tuesday 6 March.
His Excellency Tepure Tapaitau of the Cook Islands will also be welcomed at the ceremony which will formally introduce each Head of Mission to the Governor General of New Zealand, the Honorable Anand Satyanand.
The members of the Maori Ceremonial Group will greet each Head of Mission. They will offer a wero before performing a hongi to symbolise the coming together of New Zealand with each country.
ENDS
For further information please contact Ally Clelland, Defence Public Relations
04 496 0273 or 021 569 130