A video of a wedding haka that moved a New Zealand bride to tears has been watched more than 15 million times since it was posted on Facebook.
Aaliya and Benjamin Armstrong married in Auckland last week and were blown away by a performance of the traditional Maori dance at their wedding reception by the groomsmen and guests.
So moved by the passionate display were the couple that they joined in themselves, with Mrs Armstrong left in tears after the performance.
The video ends with the couple hugging the dancers.
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Mrs Armstrong told the BBC that the haka was a sign of respect from her husband’s family.
“I wasn't planning on jumping in until one bridesmaid did,” she said.
“I felt the need to show love and respect back. I was really blown away.
“Ben is a Maori, he is probably more Maori than I am.
“Because he has fair skin, some people have been saying on social media that 'he'd better not hurt the bride', but they're actually his family.”
The newlyweds were taken by surprise again when a film of the dance posted on Facebook was watched millions of time.
“Yesterday afternoon I left my phone alone for about five minutes and I had so many notifications,” Mrs Armstrong said.
The haka is the traditional ancestral dance of the Maori people of New Zealand.
It is performed by a group and characterised by its vigorous movements, stamping of feet, and accompanying shouted chants.
