Beyonce wrapped her last Auckland gig on Saturday night and raced off stage to fly out of the country by private jet. But waiting for her in the wings were surprise gifts by acclaimed Maori artists and an impromptu private haka led by Stan Walker. The queen of pop was rendered speechless and welled up with tears - but not before attempting the war dance herself.
"It was a truly epic experience," Maori fashion designer Kiri Nathan told The Diary. She presented Beyonce with a contemporary korowai (Maori cloak) she had made herself, and a pounamu (greenstone) piece carved by her husband, Jason, who had also made a pounamu toki for Beyonce's 21-month-old daughter Blue Ivy.
"I said a quiet karakia as I approached her and told her that I had made some taonga for her so she will always be connected to Aotearoa, the people, the land. I placed the korowai on her, and Jason gave her the pounamu, and I explained their significance," Nathan said.
"Then I presented her with a toki for Blue Ivy, which was cut from the same greenstone. I said, 'This will keep you connected to each other and to New Zealand, and it will keep you safe on your journey together'.
I gave her a hongi and we hugged and she burst into tears. She was just so overwhelmed and moved."
