Maori dance › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Wednesday 28th October, 04:13 PM JST

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, back left, watches a Maori ceremony at Tokyo Tower to open the Giant Rugby Ball, which has already appeared in Paris and London to help support New Zealand’s build-up as host of the Rugby World Cup 2011. The ball is open until Nov 3. The latest positioning of the ball coincides with Saturday’s All Blacks-Wallabies clash and two major events - The Japan-New Zealand Business Council and The Japan-New Zealand Partnership Forum. The structure, which can host up to 160 guests, features an innovative sound and light show of New Zealand tourism, nature, culture, food and wine and creative industries projected onto the inner structure.

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Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

abromofo at 04:33 PM JST - 28th October

Wow. Never seen one of those native New Zealand dances before... Yawn.
Mittsu at 04:55 PM JST - 28th October

This looks like a scene from "Flight of the Conchords" - where the Kiwi Prime Minister visits NYC and they open New Zealand Town...
tanglewood at 05:25 PM JST - 28th October

Must be an exchange program of some kind.
JmannGod at 05:30 PM JST - 28th October

very cool - were the Aussies allowed to bring some prisoners in chains or something for the occasion as well? Maybe some flyblown sheep or a picture of one the sports cups they used to have?...
tigerguy at 08:06 PM JST - 28th October

This seems really unique and fascinating, I wish that I was there to see it. I heard that NZ was the hidden paradise down under.
PenelopePitstop at 08:27 PM JST - 28th October

Lol. Just read in a NZ paper that the All-Blacks were doing their training swimming sessions ahead of saturday's match fully clothed to cover up their tattoos....

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3007904/All-Blacks-told-to-cover-up-tattoos
Icantbelieveit at 09:07 PM JST - 28th October

they all look soooo thrilled to be there...NOT!
tigerguy at 10:45 PM JST - 28th October

There is more to NZ than just angry-looking, half-naked Maoris dancing around and poking out their long tongues... This is just one of the many wonders of NZ I guess.
SushiSake3 at 10:51 PM JST - 28th October

Suggestion for a subtitle? - 'Strange Men in a Stranger Land'?
Sarge at 10:59 PM JST - 28th October

Sushi - By golly, I think you're right, I don't know how I missed her, heck, she looks quite irritated at the crazy guy on the far left!
SushiSake3 at 11:04 PM JST - 28th October

Sarge - "she looks quite irritated at the crazy guy on the far left!"

He's holding up the 400-tonne Rugby Ball by the looks of it.

I would be irritated too it I had to stand there and do that for a couple of hours, famous guests or not!

If you don't look at the red girder on the right, it looks like a British pea soup fog is gonna roll right over PM Key right about now...!
tanglewood at 11:45 PM JST - 28th October

I can't imagine the humiliation, paying taxes for crapola like this, supposed to represent my country.
JmannGod at 04:38 AM JST - 29th October

actually tanglewood - it is really REALLY good. Thanx for your concern though... hahaha
Sarge at 09:24 AM JST - 29th October

The guy standing in front of Prime Minister Key looks pretty strong.
NeoJamal at 11:19 AM JST - 29th October

features an innovative sound and light show of New Zealand tourism

Get there by flying any carrier but owned by Japan or New Zealand