China names a friend at Te Papa

WARM WELCOME: Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples accompanies Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang at his Te Papa welcome.

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Te Papa's marae manager, Hema Temara, is the new best friend of China's representative in Wellington.

The unofficial title was conferred upon her by China's ambassador, Zhang Limin, during the visit of Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang to Te Papa's marae, Rongomaraeroa, in Wellington yesterday.

Mr Zhang, speaking on behalf of Mr Li at the marae welcome, paid tribute to Ms Temara after a marae protocol briefing that she gave him on Friday.

In front of Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, he described her as "my best friend Hema".

Under her tutelage, Mr Li – wrapped in a korowai, or cloak – sailed through the traditional Maori welcome without setting a foot wrong.

Ms Temara of Ngai Tuhoe performed the karanga (call) when Mr Li was welcomed on to the marae alongside Dr Sharples.

The 61-year-old has 17 years' museum experience and chairs the Wellington Maori Cultural Society.

After the function she thanked Mr Zhang for the vote of confidence in herself and Te Papa staff.

"It feels wonderful to be the new best friend of China ... It is overwhelming actually," she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Li presided over the signing of three memorandums of understanding by New Zealand and Chinese officials on temporary employment and food safety issues, at Parliament yesterday afternoon.

The signings represented a tidying up of detail included in the free trade agreement with China, which came in to force on October 1 last year.

Education Minister Anne Tolley and Mr Zhang also signed an agreement aimed at enhancing education research, science and technology links between the two countries. Mr Li, a high-ranking member of China's Politburo Standing Committee, leaves for Papua New Guinea this morning.