Image Gallery 2010

03 December 2010
Gryro 10 Spins Into Towns

The Gyros are spinning in East Timor and the result has been spectacular.

The newest rotation of New Zealand troops to the International Stabilisation Force in East Timor have been welcomed Maori-style with a traditional Powhiri (welcome ceremony) of fierce proportions at the Kiwi Lines in Dili.

The arriving soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen of Gyro 10 found themselves confronted by the shirtless chanting warriors of the Gyro 9 rotation who emerged from behind a screen of New Zealand Army Pinzgauer armoured vehicles.

Not to be outdone, the new arrivals responded appropriately, with the event climaxing in a standoff that looked like it would explode into uncontained fighting.

But of course that was all part of the ceremony, and within the blink of an eye the watching Australian troops witnessed foes become friends as the members of the two Gyro rotations embraced each other like long lost best friends.

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LCPL Hope Mutch conducts the Wero, the traditional challenge that is the third stage of a Maori Powhiri (welcome ceremony).

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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PTE Shaun Tainui of Gyro 9 and his comrades enact the Haka Powhiri to welcome the newly arrived troops of Gyro 10.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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LCPL Robert Wati (centre front) and his fellow Manuhiri conduct a Haka during the Gyro 10 Powhiri ceremony.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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PTE Visori Vanavana (front) and LCPL Teokotai Tau (behind left) perform the Haka E Kau Ki Te Tai E for Gyro 10.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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TPR Dallas Shepherd (centre) and his comrades of Gyro 9 perform the Haka E Kau Ki Te Tai E for Gyro 10.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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PTE Caley Rourangi (Gyro 10) performs the Haka with Gyro 10.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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PTE Charles Pawa (front right), from Gyro 9, performs the Haka E Kau Ki Te Tai E for Gyro 10.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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PTE Caley Rourangi (left, from Gyro 10) receives a Pukana (expression used to scare an opponent into submission) from PTE Joe Kapua of Gyro 9. The two teams conducted opposing Hakas during the welcome for Gyro 10.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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PTE Monte Fergusson (left, Gyro 10) and Pte Samuel Allen (Gyro 9) greet each other at the conclusion of the Haka Powhiri ceremony at Kiwi Lines.

(Date taken: 19 November 2010)
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