US Marines Invade New Zealand

This year marks the 70th Anniversary from when the US Marines landed in New Zealand during WWII to defend the Pacific.  With the recent "thawing" of US-NZ bilateral relations, this was a good year to bring a large contingent of the US Marine Corps to NZ to commemorate this occasion.  Let's just hope history does not repeat itself.  The last time the Marines came, they impregnated the Kiwi ladies, and got into bar fights with the Kiwi men.  But most of these Marines today are all part of the marching band.  So...they should be harmless...as are all band geeks.  Nevertheless, a group called "Concerned Citizens" were set to protest.  It was hard to see from where we were, but I think there may have been 6 protestors present.  Relative to NZ's total population, this actually was a high percentage!  We got to see the ceremony with the Prime Minister and the US Ambassador...from our living room...literally.  Here are some good reading links: 
Marine Band playing Paekakariki
US Embassy Wellington News
US Ambassador Blog
Concerned Citizens Protest

And here are some photos and videos from the night.