Cheek and enthusiasm landed Tauranga cheerleading club Bay Twisters priceless national publicity when it secured a visit from Prime Minister John Key.
Founded only 18 months ago by Rebecca Grigson, 75 of its 106 girls and boys put on a dazzling display for Mr Key during his visit to Tauranga yesterday.
Asked how she managed to book the Prime Minister, Mrs Grigson said it was about being cheeky. She emailed Mr Key inviting him to their pre-competition show but he declined citing other commitments.
Not to be put off, she said the next time he was in town, they would love to see him. The official she was talking to said it was funny she should say that because Mr Key was visiting Tauranga in about a month's time.
Mrs Grigson said the PM's visit had been great for morale and she was "blown away" by his reaction to the kids.
"He was so on their wavelength. He was lovely, just like a normal person."
She said he was completely up for putting his handprint on the wall of the Bay Twisters' 3rd Ave gym, plus another handprint on to canvas for auctioning.
Mr Key was overheard telling her how his son had been in cheerleading and really enjoyed it.
Mrs Grigson said Bay Twisters Cheer Team was the only non-profit cheer team in New Zealand.
She said she did it for love, not money, with any surpluses being poured back into the kids.
Tauranga City councillor Bill Grainger was at the display yesterday watching his 17-year-old daughter Frankie's team performing for the National Party entourage which included Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller and East Coast MP Anne Tolley.