Dear Orthodox6,
I was touched that you remembered! Our Priest said that even though it is not right, I did not have much choice but to go. Thanks be to God it was all over very quickly, and all I had to do was take photos. At home before I left, I got up early, prayed the morning prayers as well as the typika service, and then armed with chotki and icons set off. i got there a bit early, and was able to read the Canon of Repentence as well before anyone else got there.
An elder (layman) said a prayer in Maori (which I don't understand), and at the end said 'Amene' (that is amen), so I am presuming it was a heterodox prayer (I just said the Jesus prayer over and over in my head). The Maori were evangelised in the 1800s, but there seems to be strong elements of their previous pagan beliefs mixed in. Most of the Maori had to leave after the prayer because they were due to have a meeting themselves, but a few came over after the riverside blessing to our company's plant where there were a couple of speeches (and more photo-taking by myself). Then it was morning tea, and I took the opportunity to politely leave, and headed for Church. Luckily being a Sunday morning, the roads were pretty empty, and I got back to Church just before the Cherubic Hymn (Father later said it was a good time to get back).
I had been hoping and praying I would at least get back in time to kiss the cross and receive antidoron, so it was such a big blessing to be able to get back for most of the Liturgy. I just hope that no one at the 'blessing' realised how miserable and annoyed I was to be there, as unfortunately, I am not so good at masking my feelings in that sort of situation.
George