An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
WELLINGTON: President Tony Tan Keng Yam was given an official welcome at the Government House in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday (Oct 27), the second day of his state visit to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Before an assembled Guard of Honour, Dr Tan was issued a ceremonial Maori challenge, or Wero, as part of the proceedings. He was then welcomed by the Governor-General and with a traditional Haka by students from Rongotai College Kapa Haka Group.
During the meeting with the Governor-General, Dr Tan discussed the multi-faceted cooperation between Singapore and New Zealand. This included defence, people-to-people ties and New Zealand's close relationship with ASEAN. Governor-General Jerry Mateparae also thanked Dr Tan for Singapore’s assistance during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Later in the afternoon, Acting Prime Minister Bill English called on Dr Tan. During their meeting, Dr Tan thanked Mr English for allowing the Singapore Armed Forces to train in New Zealand.
They also lauded the recently-concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. They expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow in the years ahead. In between engagements, Dr Tan visited the Pukeahu National War Memorial and laid a wreath in honour of New Zealand's fallen soldiers.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/....html?cid=fbsg
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