War canoe salute for Prince Charles visit to Maori King

Five waka, Maori canoes salute Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall receive a "Powhiri" maori challenge on their arrival at Turangawaewae Marae, Hamilton, New Zealand on November 8, 2015. -EPA

WELLINGTON: Britain’s Prince Charles received a rousing salute from an armada of war canoes when he visited the Maori King Tuheitia in New Zealand’s central North Island on Sunday.

Charles wore a kiwi feather cloak as five ornately carved war canoes, or waka, paraded past on the Waikato River, each carrying about 30 tattooed warriors who raised their paddles in salute, singing Maori chants as they went by.