Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Swine flu fears put a stop to hongi
By TIM DONOGHUE - The Dominion Post Last updated 05:00 09/07/2009
CRAIG SIMCOX/ The Dominion Post
BREAK IN TRADITION: A handshake suffices as Romanian ambassador Mihai Stuparu meets Corporal Darren Pullen.
<!-- -normal_story_landing- --> <!--start components/story/common_content--> Deaths related to swine flu have resulted in the traditional Maori hongi being replaced by handshakes at the highest ceremonial levels of government.
The Ohakea Air Force Maori culture group provided the ceremonial challenge at Government House Vogel in Lower Hutt yesterday when ambassadors from Turkey, Brazil, Cambodia and Romania presented their credentials to Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand.
Under normal circumstances, ambassadors Mehmet Taser from Turkey, Renate Stille from Brazil, Chum Sounry from Cambodia and Mihai Stuparu from Romania would have rubbed noses in a hongi greeting with Maori cultural group members.
A Government House spokesman said the no-hongi policy was a joint decision imposed by the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, the Defence Force and Government House because of the threat of swine flu. The result was a formal handshake from taiaha (club) wielder Corporal Darren Pullen.
Deputy director of public health Fran McGrath said guidelines for tangihanga, hui and other gatherings were being updated by a ministry Maori health advisory group. Draft guidelines suggested sick people in particular should not hongi, kiss or shake hands while on a marae or taking part in Maori ceremonies.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2576863/Swine-flu-fears-put-a-stop-to-hongi
By TIM DONOGHUE - The Dominion Post Last updated 05:00 09/07/2009
BREAK IN TRADITION: A handshake suffices as Romanian ambassador Mihai Stuparu meets Corporal Darren Pullen.
<!-- -normal_story_landing- --> <!--start components/story/common_content--> Deaths related to swine flu have resulted in the traditional Maori hongi being replaced by handshakes at the highest ceremonial levels of government.
The Ohakea Air Force Maori culture group provided the ceremonial challenge at Government House Vogel in Lower Hutt yesterday when ambassadors from Turkey, Brazil, Cambodia and Romania presented their credentials to Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand.
Under normal circumstances, ambassadors Mehmet Taser from Turkey, Renate Stille from Brazil, Chum Sounry from Cambodia and Mihai Stuparu from Romania would have rubbed noses in a hongi greeting with Maori cultural group members.
A Government House spokesman said the no-hongi policy was a joint decision imposed by the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, the Defence Force and Government House because of the threat of swine flu. The result was a formal handshake from taiaha (club) wielder Corporal Darren Pullen.
Deputy director of public health Fran McGrath said guidelines for tangihanga, hui and other gatherings were being updated by a ministry Maori health advisory group. Draft guidelines suggested sick people in particular should not hongi, kiss or shake hands while on a marae or taking part in Maori ceremonies.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2576863/Swine-flu-fears-put-a-stop-to-hongi