New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
24 April 2008
Maori Welcome For President Of Singapore
Members of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Maori Cultural Group will perform a traditional Maori welcome for His
Excellency Mr S R Nathan, President of Singapore, at Government House at 10.00 am on Monday 28 April.
The powhiri and wero (welcome and challenge) will be part of the State Welcome ceremony supported by a 100-man
tri-Service Royal Guard of Honour and the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and will feature a 21-gun
salute fired by members of the Army’s 16 Field Regiment.
President Nathan, who will be in New Zealand from 28 April to 2 May, will be accompanied at the ceremony by their
Excellencies the Governor General of New Zealand, the Honorable Anand Satyanand and Mrs Susan Satyanand. Air Commodore
Steve Moore will represent the Chief of Defence Force at the ceremony.
Following the welcome ceremony President Nathan will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial and at the Tomb of the
Unknown Warrior at Buckle Street, in Wellington.
A catafalque guard comprised of Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel will parade in support of the ceremony.
ENDS