Knife test in friendship dance

Interestingly, the chief of the Maoris, John Tahuparae, greeted PM Erdogan and his wife Emine at the door of their car when they first arrived. Erdogan and Tahuparae then touched noses, in a traditional Maori greeting style. For Mauris, the "Hongi," or nose to nose greeting is important, in that it symbolizes deep friendship, as in two people breathing the same air as one body.
 
Following this tradition greeting, a spear-carrying Maori warrior dance began, ending with Erdogan leaning down to pick up a knife that the Maori dancer had left in front of him, which also symbolizes friendship and trust.

We are not disturbing your graves with digging

Allegations that road work in Gallipoli has harmed some of the graves of New Zealand Anzac soldiers buried there entered the agenda of talks between PM Erdogan and PM Clark. When a question was posed to PM Erdogan on this subject by a reporter during a joint press conference with PM Clark, PM Erdogan said this: "We are a country which feels respect towards the heroes which are buried there. We have absolutely no intention of disturbing the graves there. I have sent three of my ministers to look into these allegations. There is meaning to the steps we have taken in Gallipoli. We have carried the memories of 1915 all the way to today, and so let's carry these feelings and memories on to tomorrow."
 
Greeks protest Erdogan visit
 
Greek Cypriots and Greeks living in New Zealand protested PM Erdogan's visit to the country in front of the parliamentary buildings yesterday. A group of around 20 people carrying posters and signs shouted slogans against Turkey during the visit by the Turkish delegation to the Wellington seat of government. PM Erdogan, smiling, waved at the protestors.