Gillard apologises for "dreadful accent" during her New Zealand visit

Wellington, Feb 15 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has apologised for her "dreadful accent" during her visit to New Zealand.

Gillard was attempting a Maori greeting but mangled it, news.com.au reports.

"I hope it was something Iike that in my dreadful Australian accent," Gillard said.

The Prime Minister made the mistake before a speech in Auckland where she thanked New Zealand's Civil Defence for rendering support to her country during the natural disasters.

"You brought mateship, you brought comfort and your work won't be forgotten. At a time of hardship and grief, Australia will always be there to help," she said.illard, who is scheduled to sign a deal with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key for stronger economic ties tomorrow, said Wellington was Canberra's closest trade partner.

"A strong New Zealand is good for Australia, a strong Australia is good for New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand's successful economic integration has become a model for other countries. The progress of a single economic agenda will forge even greater business co-operation and investment across the Tasman," Gillard added. (ANI)