Maori welcomes tourist with head

The welcome ceremony is an important part of Maori culture

A Maori performer taking part in a traditional welcoming ceremony last month has admitted head butting a tourist and fracturing his nose.

Richard Minarapa Mitai-Ngatai told a court in Rotorua, New Zealand, that he thought the man was laughing at him.

Dutch tourist Johannes Scheffers and others visiting Tamaki Maori Village had been warned laughing was disrespectful.

A police sergeant said Mr Scheffers accidentally gave a "nervous grin".

Mr Scheffers had been chosen as one of the tourist representatives at a welcome ceremony held at Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua on North Island on 24 November.

He was told he would have to lift a peace token placed at his feet.

During the final part of the ceremony, Mr Scheffers "gave a nervous grin with no intention to be disrespectful", said police sergeant Jim Broom, according to the New Zealand Press Association.

Mr Mitai-Ngatai then stepped forward and head butted Mr Scheffers, causing him to fall backwards with blood pouring from his nose.

"His intention was to nudge him back into the line with the main group of visitors," Mr Brooom told the court.

"However, the force he used was well in excess of his intention."

Mr Mitai-Ngatai will be sentenced next month.