New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made an unexpected appearance at the World of WearableArt (WOW) show in Wellington.
Ms Ardern appeared alongside a Māori warrior wielding a taiaha while she donned a specially commissioned piece, Digitally Grown, by New Zealand designer Dylan Mulder.
World of Wearable Arts compared Ardern's appearance to ex-PM Helen Clark's appearance in 2002.
LOREN ELLIOTT
World of WearableArt said in a statement: "Ardern's participation in, and support of, New Zealand's most spectacular and best-known theatrical production is reminiscent of former Prime Minister Helen Clark's appearance in WOW IN 2002."
It comes after MsArdernled a state memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II, saying the Pacific nation has had "a deep connection" with her as New Zealand paid tribute to the late monarch.
Hundreds watched the state memorial service outdoors on the screens set on the Parliament grounds in Wellington, the national capital, as the closed-door ceremony began with a minute of silence at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
"Today, we have gathered to acknowledge the deep connection New Zealand has had to her late majesty the Queen for more than 70 years, a connection grounded on her first visit in 1953,"Ardernsaid, as she read excerpts from a souvenir book about the Queen's trip from December 1953 to January 1954, the first of her ten journeys to the country.
"As the great white ship moved slowly through the channel, crowds ran along marine parade keeping abreast of her, everyone cheering, many weeping, reluctant to give up their waving until the answering white-gloved hand could be seen no longer."
