Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Today and its up early as the team has a number of shifts to do and its an early start at the Maria on the Devonport Naval base. Brian and Kelly are both relocating as their hosts are heading elsewhere. Kelly didnt seem to mind and was quite looking forward to it.....then when we found out she was staying in a penthouse with magnificent views we discovered why.
The team assembled at the Maria which has been built on Crown Land and forms part of the Naval Base area. Its a very unique traditional building occupied by Maori naval personnel. They gave us a traditional welcome and the team appreciated the warm welcoming words and the songs that they sung. In response Tania and Rogen sung the Papuan New Guinea national anthem which we understood was a first for the Maria since the building was built in 2000.
We understand that some 20% of the NZ Navy are of Maori descent and the Maria is very well received by visiting dignataries and the serving officers of the NZ navy.

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