File:Maori Ceremonial Warriors Albany.jpg

Ceremonial Māori warriors photographed after performing in a powhiri ceremony at Westfield Albany's opening. The ceremony was actually much less ridiculous and more edgy* than I had expected for something so comparatively mundane as a shopping centre opening.

• Powhiri ceremonies involve a challenge to the visitors (in this case Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand and Steven Lowy, one of the top managers of the Westfield Group). Three warriors carefully stalk forward and back, advancing slowly towards the guests, making threatening gestures and noises, waving their (in this case ceremonial and made wood) weapons. When well-done (and these guys were good, especially the one photographed - he really made you wonder whether he wanted to split your skull), the performance can give a hint of the real background of the ceremonies - with unknown and potentially unfriendly visitors to the Māori tribe being carefully checked out as to their intentions and their steadfastness before being welcomed as peaceful guests.