Benjamin and Aaliyah Armstrong on their wedding day. Photo / Stacey Leah Photography
Benjamin and Aaliyah Armstrong on their wedding day. Photo / Stacey Leah Photography
A Kiwi couple caught up in a media frenzy after their wedding haka video went viral have had to cut their honeymoon short.
Auckland couple Aaliyah and Benjamin Armstrong were supposed to be in Fiji on Sunday, but because Ben was trying to play catch up with emails from themedia he overlooked the fact his passport had expired, TVNZ reported.
The newlyweds went from "ordinary people living ordinary lives" to taking part in interviews with international media giants after footage of the emotional and powerful haka at their wedding went viral last week.
In the video, Aaliyah and Ben are overcome with emotion before joining in the haka being performed by family and friends.
The mistake had cost them a day off their honeymoon, and "a bit" of money. They would now spend four days there instead of five.
"It is just a day out of our lives and we are grateful that we'll hopefully get at least a couple of days over there," Ben told TVNZ.
The video blew up on social media after the couple shared it with friends and family and were stunned when it went viral, Benjamin, 23, told the Herald on Sunday.
The attention that followed, including interview requests from the BBC and CNN and messages from people in Germany, Peru and Portugal, was overwhelming.
Both knew the haka was planned - Benjamin had asked his best man to organise it. Photo / Stacey Leah Photography
"It's been incredible to hear the stories that people have been sharing with us privately as well as openly. Of the tears they've had, the emotions.
"They've said it caused them to want to learn more about their own cultures and New Zealand culture, and to want to become better at what they're doing.
