Aotearoa rugby legend Ruby Tui and singer Moana Maniapoto Jackson led a crowd of Kiwis in a waiata of 'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi' for A-list actress Natalie Portman.
The 'Thor' actress visited our beautiful country on Monday to celebrate the successes of the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup at a pannel event in Tāmaki Makaurau.
In a video posted to TikTok by a member of the audience, Moana and Ruby are seen kicking things off as former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Secretary General of FIFA Fatma Samoura , and the crowd all erupt into the waiata showing the American actress how we do it down here in NZ.
With a smile beaming from ear to ear Natalie took in the dulcet tones of the crowd.
Ruby later posted her own video to TikTok of the Academy Award winner hilariously running off with her Olympic gold medal.
Tui said: "So, ah, I had my medal, but someone won’t give it back.”
Natalie looks shocked as the camera as she darts off in the background leaving Ruby medal-less.
"Sweet, nah, you have it. Keep it, keep it. I don’t want an Academy Award,” Ruby joked.
Tui had earlier given the medal to Natalie to wear around her neck on stage. The actress's reaction was more than stoked as she mouthed a huge “oh my God” and gave the biggest hug to the rugby legend.
The women all came together in Tāmaki Makaurau on Monday night for a panel discussion on gender equality in sport and to celebrate the great success of the current FIFA Women’s Football World Cup co-hosted right here in Aotearoa.
Natalie is a co-founder of the LA Women’s Angel City Football Club. The team played out their first-ever season in 2022.
During the panel event, the actress admitted that she’s not the sportiest of peeps but felt drawn to co-found the club after feeling the similarities between women in the film industry and women in sports facing similar struggles.
