Bieber greeted by teen mob in New Zealand
An estimated 1,000-strong crowd of chanting, frenzied teen girls flooded into the airport's arrival hall Monday night after a Twitter post from Bieber's account noted, "New Zealand we are coming!"
The Stratford, Ont.-born entertainer landed shortly before midnight local time and, though he attempted to quietly exit through a side door, the teen throng noticed him and broke through security barriers to chase after the 16-year-old, according to New Zealand media.
However, a waiting car quickly whisked him away from the squealing teens.
In a Tuesday afternoon posting on his Twitter account, Bieber asked his fans to show a little restraint.
"Finally got to New Zealand last night," he tweeted. "The airport was crazy. Not happy that someone stole my hat and knocked down my mama. Come on people."
He continued in another posting. "I want to be able to sign and take pics and meet my fans, but if you are all pushing security won't let me," he wrote. "Let's keep it safe and have fun."
Bieber, who recently released his second album, My World 2.0, is to spend just one day in New Zealand.
He is slated to perform in studio for local network C4's show Select Live and also in the Auckland suburb of Papakura at Strathallan School, which won the concert in a radio station contest.
Security boosted
Auckland airport officials vowed to arrange extra security for Bieber's arrival after Australian police cancelled Bieber's outdoor concert at Sydney's Circular Quay early Monday morning, blaming the unruly, out-of-control crowd.
Airport police Sgt. Kevin Davidson described the crowd in Auckland as generally well-behaved.
"You're dealing with some pretty young fans here. think that accounts for the volume and the enthusiasm," he told New Zealand news and information website Stuff.co.nz.
"On the whole, given the number of people here, I think it went well."
He added that while he hadn't heard of Bieber before this week, "I think I might have to have a listen to the young man."