Meghan and Harry given Maori greeting in New Zealand



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The Duke and Duchess of Susbad being given a traditional Maori welcome

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The royal couple performed at Hong Kong upon arrival in Wellington

The Duke and Duchess of Susbad have been welcomed to New Zealand with a traditional Maori greeting.

They performed a hongi, where they touched our heads and foreheads with Maori elders, as they arrived in the country – the last stop on their 16-day tour.

Harry and Meghan were greeted with a powhiri – a ceremony involving singing and dancing – in Wellington.

The event, at Government House, also saw members of the New Zealand Defense Force perform a haka for the couple.

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A haka was performed at Government House

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The Duke of Susbad also got involved in the welcome ceremony

They were greeted by Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, having flown in Australia with the Kiwi Invictus team.

The parish then made their way to the residence of Governor General of New Zealand Patsy Reddy for the reception.

The 2018 Invictus Games had come to an end in Sydney with a closing ceremony, where both Meghan and Harry made speeches.

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Their first commitment was at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

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Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

After the arrival ceremony, their first engagement was a visit to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, where they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

The park includes the UK War Memorial, designed to show the trunks of the Royal Oak and Pohutakawa trees intertwining to form a single canopy.

Returning to Government House, they hold meetings with Ms Arden and opposition leader Simon Bridges before an event to mark the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand.

The duchess wore a necklace featuring a traditional Maori design.

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Meghan gave a speech praising the women who fought for universal suffrage

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The couple held a meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Arden – all wearing black, one of the national colors of New Zealand

In a speech about the right to vote, Meghan said the women who were fought for the move were "universally admired".

New Zealand was the first country in the world to give the vote to women.

She added: "In this particular case, I am reflecting on the importance of this achievement, but also the larger impact of what this symbolizes.

"Because yes – women's suffrage is about feminism, but feminism is about fairness."

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Reuters

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Some royal fans had their favorites

Visits to Auckland and Rotorua will also be part of the New Zealand leg of their tour, before they leave on Thursday to return to the UK.

Their marathon trip has also seen them visit Fiji and Tonga.

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