Bolt enthralled by Maori haka

Wellington - Usain Bolt isn't easily scared, but he was taken aback slightly Monday by a vigorous Maori haka performed to welcome him to New Zealand.

Bolt watched, enthralled, as 350 workers from an Auckland factory performed the traditional challenge. He told the workers, "you scared me a little bit. It looks like something I'd like to do, but we'll see."

The legendary Jamaican sprinter is making a short visit to New Zealand after holidaying in Australia. He was due to attend a training session with a basketball team on Monday and to conduct a coaching clinic with eight young athletes in Auckland.

On a rainy day in Auckland, Bolt quipped: "This is the Land of the Long White Cloud? The weather is really bad out there."