Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham was in the Bay of Islands on a beautiful Northland day, capturing the British and Irish Lions' rugby squad welcome.
![The wero (challenge) is underway.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/OZKJ7IGXVU756GGSFJC2GDITCA.jpg?auth=0994fa06dddeb9c9f814bf79fe8ab96cd929d61ea10dab959ca7563065b1d8a1&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![Protocol is explained to captain Sam Warburton and head coach Warren Gatland.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/LULAIMYRAT3PWGRXZYHJ72HHSA.jpg?auth=d31e843ef4c39a8f4216358aa7a3256d8092b75a824eb5dc790010fac37aef96&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![The welcome was conducted against the beautiful backdrop of the Bay of Islands.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FMQ6EBXYGTAWJJAGNBPAYC2JXY.jpg?auth=286a5f400eb48252ad469f6bbd76e1c22c42f0243fdfdc9e3070bbe77e46efa3&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![This morning's welcome followed the Lions' narrow and unconvincing win 13-7 over a provincial Barbarians team in Whangarei.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/PPQMGSKLODBAWLY3J3L5IERGQE.jpg?auth=14ce9f69901bc28b134611023e3b4f38eb32075e0ba5393d5fe92c292937eea0&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The welcoming party advance towards the visitors
Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham was in the Bay of Islands on a beautiful Northland day, capturing the British and Irish Lions' rugby squad welcome.
Originally from Whangārei, he's also an age-group BMX champion.