Last night we went to the 70th birthday party of the woman at left for which about 60 attendees included those who had come from Australia, America and France. The MC, knowledgeable in Maoritanga, gave folks a short description of history appropriate for Waitangi Day and although non-Maori, was fluent in it.  After speeches by him and the couple, a waiata was sung in unison by the two girls in the pic, Juliette and Naomi, who are from France.

Traditionally all formal speeches are followed by a waiata sung by the speaker and their group of supporters.