After his arrival in Auckland from Papua New Guinea, President Pranab Mukherjee started his official engagements with a traditional Maori welcome.
“Maori warriors initially greet visitor with aggression not knowing whether he is friend or foe,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted.
They then placed a fern in front of Mr Mukherjee and asked him to pick it up if he arrived in friendship. On being convinced that he has arrived in friendship, they asked him to follow them.
Maori men and women then sang and danced welcoming the president as a friend.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional rubbing of noses in friendship between President Mukherjee and the Maori chief.
He was then received by New Zealand Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae at the Government House in Auckland and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
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