Photos of David Beckham Arriving at the Auckland International Airport in New Zealand

David Nose What's Up in New Zealand

December 3, 2008

David Beckham and his teammates arrived in Auckland, New Zealand yesterday ahead of their exhibition match on Saturday. Just like the trip they took last year, David and the other players were treated to a traditional Maori nose-rubbing ceremony upon arrival — some lucky ladies even managed to also give David a kiss or two. After spending Thanksgiving in NYC with the Cruises and the last few days in LA with his boys, David's going to need to get over some serious jet lag before hitting the field this weekend. Tickets for this year's game aren't selling too well, but judging from the scene at the airport NZ has lots of love for Becks.

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21 Comments

qtpie 4 years 24 weeks

yay going to see becks tomorrow night!

kafarine-tin-tin 4 years 24 weeks

Its not really nose <i>rubbing</i>, more just resting your nose and forehead on the other persons, and yes, to reject it would be very cultrally insensitive. I live in NZ and I've had to hongi a few people in my time, even though it's a traditional Maori custom and I'm not Maori, and it's not bad at all.And the other guy in the photo doesn't have a spray tan. Sheesh. He's Maori, it's the natural colour of his skin.And Pop, we do love David Beckham!! He's only like one o the biggest stars to come here!!

kafarine-tin-tin 4 years 24 weeks

Its not really nose rubbing, more just resting your nose and forehead on the other persons, and yes, to reject it would be very cultrally insensitive. I live in NZ and I've had to hongi a few people in my time, even though it's a traditional Maori custom and I'm not Maori, and it's not bad at all. And the other guy in the photo doesn't have a spray tan. Sheesh. He's Maori, it's the natural colour of his skin. And Pop, we do love David Beckham!! He's only like one o the biggest stars to come here!!

CUPCAKEchatter 4 years 24 weeks

I don't mean to be rude but that guy looks like a bigger and manlier version of Victoria Beckham

starangel82 4 years 24 weeks

Mesayme - I love Curtis Stone too! So yummy.

LilLucyT21 4 years 24 weeks

I'm a Kiwi - awawy from home at the mo so woop woop to my country!! Its not nose rubbing its called a hongi (pronounced hong-e) and the Maori do it as they believe the way females were made was when a man breathed out through his nose and life into her. It's a traditional way of welcome for Maori and to reject it would be unbelievabley disrespectful. Kudos to Beckham for accepting NZ as NZ

LilLucyT21 4 years 24 weeks

I'm a Kiwi - awawy from home at the mo so woop woop to my country!!Its not nose rubbing its called a hongi (pronounced hong-e) and the Maori do it as they believe the way females were made was when a man breathed out through his nose and life into her. It's a traditional way of welcome for Maori and to reject it would be unbelievabley disrespectful.Kudos to Beckham for accepting NZ as NZ

jaan_black 4 years 24 weeks

I thought that was Victoria from the back lmao...spray tan much?

Ms_Magnificent1 4 years 24 weeks

I really like David Beckham...he seems so geniune and like he is a people person.

Mesayme 4 years 24 weeks

I'm in love with Curtis Stone... do the Aussies greet with any lip action??? I'm just saying...

JAXMOM10 4 years 24 weeks

I guess if you grow up with nose kissing :-) you don't find it the least bit strange. Each culture has their own thing.. (Double cheek kissing in Europe, we don't really do that here in the USA unless your of European descent, then you do). I mean, I would prefer the fist full of gold,(funny) but if some cute NZ hottie needs to rub noses with me as is his tradition, what kind of person would I be if I refused. Teehee

JAXMOM10 4 years 24 weeks

yadiet 4 years 24 weeks

I would love to visit New Zealand. One of my favorite movies was filmed there. :)

lisa101 4 years 24 weeks

Don't love him but I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE New Zealand. One of the most beautiful places in the world x x x x

LolaDub 4 years 24 weeks

starangel82 4 years 24 weeks

Mesayme you crack me up. Yeah, I'm a little if-y about the whole nose rubbing thing, but it is interesting to see different cultures' ways of doing things.

starangel82 4 years 24 weeks

Mesayme you crack me up.Yeah, I'm a little if-y about the whole nose rubbing thing, but it is interesting to see different cultures' ways of doing things.

Mesayme 4 years 24 weeks

That would freak me out! I only do the nose kissy with my kids. Even my daughter said 'No mommy! when she was like nine.' LOL I know it's their culture, I respect it, but I couldn't participate. I'd rather a bow, or a lei or something. How come no countries greet people with a fistfull of gold or something? Now THAT'S a greeting!! :D

ilanac13 4 years 24 weeks

it's always interesting to me to see the traditions of all the different cultures, and how welcoming they can be. i hope that the team does well, and that perhaps there are some last minute ticket sales to boost people's interest but i guess they don't mind much...right? gotta love all the press that becks gets. i wonder what we're going to do when he leaves the US for a while

ilanac13 4 years 24 weeks

Link Love

21 Comments

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