By PAUL YANDALL
NGARUAWAHIA - They came from near and far to pay homage to a Queen - and most of them left a little shaken, but stirred.
Thirteen of the country's newest foreign ambassadors and high commissioners met the Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, at her official residence, Turangawaewae Marae, at Ngaruawahia yesterday.
Escorted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials, they were met with a traditional Maori welcome and a challenge some said they would never forget.
"It was so frightening. They were very, very fierce," said the new Singaporean High Commissioner, Tan Keng Jin, referring to the warriors who laid down the traditional Maori challenge at the beginning of the powhiri.
"But it was fantastic. Once you know the history, you understand. It was very moving."
The dignitaries, from as far afield as Russia, Germany, Peru and Brazil and as near as Samoa and the Cook Islands, formed the largest group of foreign diplomats ever to call on Dame Te Ata.
Foreign Affairs chief of protocol Tim Hannah said the visit was part of the ministry's Outreach programme, which had lapsed over the past few years and was now undergoing a revival.
"We've placed some emphasis on renewing this sort of contact within Outreach.
"It's about bringing cultures together."
Mr Hannah said it was the first diplomatic group of its kind to visit Dame Te Ata in four years.
The envoys enjoyed a tour of Dame Te Ata's residence before visiting the Tainui tribe's Kauhanganui (parliament) and endowed college at Hopuhopu.
Cultures meet on royal marae
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