Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was welcomed to the National Remembrance Service in Christchurch in a powerful Māori tradition.
The Prime Minster was at Hagley Park on Friday where a service is being held to remember the 50 victims of the March 15 terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch - New Zealand's worst terror attack in history.
Ardern was welcomed to the Christchurch event - where thousands have turned up - by a traditional karanga, an exchange of calls that forms part of a pōwhiri, a Māori welcoming ceremony.
The Prime Minister wore a kākahu cloak as she walked alongside Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy. Ardern gained global attention for wearing a similar Māori cloak to meet Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace last year.
Ardern's partner, Clarke Gayford, walked behind her towards the service on Friday, as did leader of the National Party, Simon Bridges, and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was there too.
Dignitaries from the Muslim community, the Government and celebrities including Yusuf Islam - better known as Cat Stevens - are paying tribute to the victims of the Christchurch terror attack during the service.
Ardern will later meet with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who has travelled to New Zealand with Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, with their respective partners, to pay their respects.
A bilateral meeting between Ardern and Morrison will take place on Friday afternoon.
Newshub.
