Tyra Banks gets hang of the hongi

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Sophie McFarland is the envy of her friends after coming nose-to-nose with one of the world's top supermodels.

The seven-year-old Auckland girl taught Tyra Banks how to hongi during a star-studded lunch hosted by the supermodel and TV star, who was in New Zealand filming the 14th season of her hit reality show America's Next Top Model.

Sophie, already a keen fan of Banks and her TV show, was part of a cultural performance group from Awataha marae that performed for Banks and her 300 guests on Wednesday after the lunch at The Wharf function venue.

Winning the hearts of Banks and the gathered Kiwi glitterati, Sophie showed the American how to perform the traditional Maori greeting, then presented her with a pounamu necklace before being given a number of US-style bear-hugs in return.

Photos of the hongi were not available: Banks' production company is withholding the images from general release and is offering them for sale to international media.

Sophie is still bubbling with excitement at meeting Banks and says she will always remember "pressing noses and saying hello".

"She did it [hongi] really well. Her nose was going side-to-side on my nose because she thought I was really cute," Sophie told the Sunday Star-Times with a giggle. "She gave me three hugs and two kisses."

Sophie said her friends had found it hard to believe she had actually rubbed noses with Banks: "They said `were you really with Tyra Banks?' "

So what does Sophie think of the superstar now that she has met her up close: "She's pretty, beautiful and kind, and really funny."

Banks was also taught how to pukana – the wild-eyed stare often used when performing haka or waiata.

- © Fairfax NZ News