Rainbow Warrior arrives in Auckland

The new Rainbow Warrior sails in to Auckland for the first time, where she was welcomed by Ngati Whatua. Photo / supplied

Guests at the Hilton Hotel videoed on iPads as Ngati Whatua laid down a challenge and performed a haka when the Rainbow Warrior arrived in Auckland today.

The Greenpeace ship was escorted by a flotilla of small boats and received an enthusiastic welcome from supporters crowding Princes Wharf.

This is the third Rainbow Warrior vessel but the first to be purpose-built for the environmental organisation.

It's stopping in Auckland for a few days as part of its first visit and tour of New Zealand after calling at Matauri Bay in the Far North where the original ship was scuttled 25 years ago after being bombed in Auckland Harbour by French agents in 1985.

On Tuesday the ship heads to East Cape.