By RUSSELL BAILLIE
To look at him, you would think larrikin British pop superstar Robbie Williams had spent a bit longer in New Zealand than one relatively quiet day.
What with that Maori-influenced tattoo on his shoulder, the All Black cap, the ciggy ...
Williams looked right at home after arriving yesterday for a whistlestop promotional tour.
The tattoo, done in England, has been there a while. But he said he might be interested in some genuine additions while he is here. That is if time allows between schmoozing the local media and playing an invitation-only concert tonight before jetting out again.
Should Williams be thinking of doing the full Tame Iti, he has something to work from. Among the welcoming gifts from his local record label was the book Moko: Maori Tattoo.
Otherwise, about the only excitement the famously hyperactive British pop singer caused on his first day was when he insisted on stopping for a pick-me-up coffee while coming in from the airport. This led to some mild pop hysteria at the Karangahape Rd branch of Starbucks.
"He looked really good," said a staff member. "Looked really happy and alive, as you would with all that money."
Williams happily signed autographs before picking up his takeaways and rejoining his 14-strong entourage, which includes band members, management and a bodyguard.
Viewers of the Holmes show were treated to a view of Williams with his pants around the ankles - displaying a classy pair of underpants with a tiger emblazoned on the front.
He told Paul Holmes how surprised he was to have come this far from home and still be recognised while waiting at traffic lights.
Water flushing down the toilet in a clockwise direction was also of great interest to both him and the travelling crew.
Williams is here to push his forthcoming album Sing When You're Winning.
Previous albums have sold a total of 135,000 copies here, making New Zealand one of his most successful territories per capita outside Britain.
Today, Williams is due to appear on Marcus Lush's ZM breakfast show and hold a press conference. He may return to play public concerts later this year.
Singing out for authentic touch
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