A solemn welcoming ceremony was held for the foreign Head of Government’s official visit to New Zealand, including welcoming rituals according to the tradition of the Maori people.
The welcoming ceremony was attended by the leaders of the two countries’ ministries and agencies, especially the presence of the Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament.
Entering the traditional Maori welcoming ceremony, the Maori leader (Kaikorero) and the Kaikaranga Chief (Ceremonial Chief) welcomed and invited the Prime Minister and his wife to the area for the welcoming ceremony.
Maori warriors perform weapon dances to welcome guests, then place wooden swords in front of the Prime Minister and his wife. The Prime Minister accepts the sword and holds it throughout the ceremony. While picking up the wooden sword, the Prime Minister does not take his eyes off the Maori warrior.
After the Kaikaranga Captain delivers blessings and prayers; Maori artists perform traditional dances; then, the Prime Minister and his wife perform the Hongi (nose touch) ceremony and conclude the traditional welcome.
In the official welcoming ceremony, the Prime Minister of New Zealand and his wife, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Deputy Commander of the New Zealand Army welcome the Prime Minister and his wife in front of the honor podium.
As the Prime Minister stepped onto the honor podium, the Viet Nam national flag was raised and flew, accompanied by the national anthem of Vietnam, and 19 shots of salutes echoed to welcome the Prime Minister along with his wife and the Vietnamese high-level delegation. The honor guard captain of the New Zealand military invited the Prime Minister to review the honor guard; then the Vietnamese national anthem was played again and the welcoming ceremony ended.
After the welcoming ceremony, the two Prime Ministers will hold talks; witness the signing of cooperation documents; and meet the press to announce the results of the talks.
Over nearly 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the Vietnam – New Zealand relationship has continuously developed, upgraded to a Strategic Partner relationship since July 2020. The two countries maintain high-level exchanges and exchanges at various levels.
Vietnam is New Zealand’s 14th largest trading partner. Two-way trade turnover in 2023 reached 1.3 billion USD. New Zealand has 52 investment projects with a total capital of 208.35 million USD, ranking 39th out of 143 countries and territories with foreign direct investment in Vietnam. The Vietnamese community in New Zealand consists of more than 10,000 people and serves as an important bridge in the bilateral relationship.
During this visit to New Zealand, the Prime Minister will have working meetings with high-level leaders of New Zealand to discuss measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in key areas such as trade, investment, and especially in labor and education cooperation, agriculture.
The Prime Minister will also have discussions and work with leading associations and enterprises of New Zealand; visit and work with scientific, technological, and educational organizations in New Zealand to promote cooperation in deep, substantive, and effective areas.
