Mayor Hon Robert Montague (CLGF Chairperson) and other leading figures including Hon Edward Lowassa, Prime Minister of Tanzania; Dr Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister of Malta; and Hon Samuel Abal, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Papua New Guinea were among the party gathered outside Auckland's Aotea Centre, the venue for this year's conference, to represent the conference delegates (manuhiri) in a Maori powhiri (traditional welcome). The welcome party included Mr Takutai Wikiriwhi and Mr Danny Tumahai, esteemed Maori elders from Ngati Whatua, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon, Minister of Local Government Hon Mark Burton, Local Government New Zealand President Basil Morrison and Mayor of Auckland City Dick Hubbard.
A Maori warrior acted out the ceremonial challenge (wero). This is an ancient warrior tradition of Maori that was used to determine whether the manuhiri (visitors) came in peace or with hostile intent.
As part of the wero, the Maori warrior laid a taki (dart) in front of the visitor (Mayor Hon Robert Montague), who must pick it up while keeping his eyes on the warrior at all times; this showed that the visitors came in peace
Welcoming delegates to the conference, CLGF Chair Hon Mayor Robert Montague said that this was the biggest ever Commonwealth Local Government Conference and it was very encouraging to see so many delegates. As the first time the conference is being held in the Pacific, he highlighted the contrasts between the large countries and small states in the region and praised the CLGF work in the region to support local councils and local democracy.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark was principle keynote speaker at the opening ceremony..
Read Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand's keynote address
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