Justin Timberlake didn’t make any friends on his recent Australian tour – he apparently got a free meal at The Jade Buddha, valued at $150, but didn’t leave a tip. Which is probably okay since it isn’t customary to tip in Australia. However, going outside and telling people that he “can’t believe they let you reproduce children” is not okay, even in Aussie.

So, I’m on Justin watch in Auckland ready for some rude and lewd behavior, and he’s apparently being absolutely charming. He and girlfriend Jessica Beil (are they official yet?) indulged in some local culture by seeing a Maori Haka welcome.

“Justin wanted to see the ‘Ka Mate Ka Mate’ haka, so we incorporated that into the welcome,” Kylie Poihipi, who was Timberlake’s usher, said.

“He was scared as [radio DJ] Stacey [Morrison] and I ushered him towards the kapa haka group. He asked, ‘Are they going to kill me’? We explained that we had to see if he came as a friend or an enemy. He said, ‘I come in peace’.”

Morrison and her Maori TV presenter husband Scott were asked to organise the welcoming party for the superstar at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. Morrison had printed flyers for Timberlake’s 100-strong crew with explanations of Maori tradition and expected behaviour.

New Zealand Herald

JT was then expected to respond in kind with a song, as all guests are. If you have ever seen a haka performed, then you won’t say no. He responded with You Are My Sunshine, and said “Kia Ora” a few times, which is a Maori greeting and after three years here I still can’t pronounce it.

Justin was significantly more generous to the welcoming committee than he was at the restaurant – he gifted them with 50 tickets to his show. This is extra generous as only 30 people were in the troupe.

Jessica and Justin lingered after the show and mingled with the performers. Maybe his Brisbane behaviour was just bad shellfish.

Picture note by Celebitchy: Justin Timberlake is shown in the header image during his satellite acceptance speech at the American Music Awards on 11/19/07, thanks to Splash News for this photo.