There can be only one Chief!

After we arrived in Rotorau, we had a meal with a traditional show, from some of the locals. This was after we had come accustomed to the smell that everywhere in ronorau has. As this place has loads of volcano's, masses of guysers, and steam coming out of everywhere, it stinks of rotten eggs!

The show was like a story with songs in there native language, but at the start of the show they welcomed us all by testing a nominated "Chief". Yup, i was chosen to be the Chief, a fine & obvious choice might i add ;) Chief matt was ready for action....

At the start of the show I had to go up on stage with the "Warriors". Then one of the warriors would approach me slapping his legs, slapping his chest, waving his stick at me in a threatening mannor, sticking his tongue out & "Giving me the eyes"! I had to simply stand there without laughing (which was tough) show no facial expression & not move or flinch when he came at me. It was basically the same as the NZ Rugby players do at the start of a match, but with the added intent of a big stick! Now under normal circumstances up north, if someone came at me with a stick, i would take the appropriate action. But in this instance i did as instructed!

I passed the test, and was given a "peace leaf", the show then continued as i went back to my beer :)