Tyra Banks learns Kiwi’s traditional nose-to-nose greeting

December 21st, 2009 - 5:33 pm ICT by ANI

Wellington, Dec 21 (ANI): Supermodel Tyra Banks got to learn Kiwi’s traditional Maori greeting during her recent visit to New Zealand.

Known as hongi, it is done by pressing one’s nose to another person’s nose at an encounter.

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

She also presented Banks with a pounamu necklace before being given a number of US-style bear-hugs in return.

Sophie, who’s bubbling with excitement, 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,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Sophie as telling Sunday Star-Times.

“She gave me three hugs and two kisses,” she added.

However, 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. (ANI)