Dutch King and Queen receive Maori welcome in New Zealand

WELLINGTON - Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima received a traditional Maori powhiri welcome as they started their three-day visit to New Zealand in a wet Wellington on Monday.

The royal couple were sheltered with umbrellas as they watched the ceremony, involving singing and dancing, and were greeted at Government House by the country's Governor General Patsy Reddy.

The Dutch monarchs also met New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and went on to lay a wreath at the city's Pukeahu National War Memorial.

They travel to Christchurch on Tuesday and Auckland on Wednesday. — Reuters