Warships Showcase New Zealand To The World

Sailors from New Zealand warships TE MANA and ENDEAVOUR will showcase New Zealand culture, food and wine to a large and influential audience during a week long defence diplomacy visit coinciding with New Zealand Day at the Aichi World Expo, Japan.

On Thursday 2 June TE MANA hosts an evening reception onboard with Prime Minister, Helen Clark as the senior NZ host to a glittering guest list of 150 people, arranged by the NZ Embassy in Tokyo.

The Royal New Zealand Navy's Chefs will be on display as they provide Kiwi delicacies; the Stewards - assisted by volunteers from throughout the ships' companies - will show their skills as they keep the New Zealand wines flowing, and the two ships' combined Kapa Haka group will close the evening with their cultural performance.

Friday 3 June is New Zealand Day at the World Expo. An official party including the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal David Bamfield, and the Commanding Officers of both ships will travel to the World Expo to take part in events organised at the NZ Pavilion.

Closing New Zealand Day at the Expo, the combined Kapa Haka group will perform a half hour performance at the New Zealand Pavilion at 6:00pm, showcasing New Zealand’s unique Maori culture to the Expo audience.

ENDS

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