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William begins official NZ visit | William begins official NZ visit |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Prince William has arrived in New Zealand for a three-day visit, his first official overseas trip representing the Queen. | |
The prince flew into Auckland ahead of his main engagement on Monday morning local time, when he opens the new Supreme Court building in Wellington. | |
The first day of his tour will include a traditional Maori dinner, yacht trip and sports stadium visit in Auckland. | |
The prince will also lay a wreath at Wellington's national war memorial. | |
William arrived on a scheduled Air New Zealand flight and was greeted by both Prime Minister John Key and the Queen's representative Governor General Anand Satyanand. | |
'Enormously fond' | |
As he shook hands with Mr Key, the 27-year-old prince commented on the overcast weather, saying: "It's a bit like English weather - confused." | |
An early indication of the public interest in the visit was demonstrated by about 100 people who waited in the airport's arrivals lounge for a brief glimpse of William before he was driven away. | |
Mr Key told the BBC the prince's visit was a "significant event". | |
"Having Prince William in his first capacity officiating for the Queen, representing the Queen, makes it even more special," he said. | |
"So I think it'll be seen as a big moment for New Zealand. And hopefully for the Royal Family." | |
The prince has visited New Zealand twice previously, the most recent time while following the British Lions rugby tour in 2005. | The prince has visited New Zealand twice previously, the most recent time while following the British Lions rugby tour in 2005. |
His private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, said: "Prince William was delighted to be asked by the Queen to represent Her Majesty on this important occasion in New Zealand, a country of which he is enormously fond of, having visited previously in 2005." | His private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, said: "Prince William was delighted to be asked by the Queen to represent Her Majesty on this important occasion in New Zealand, a country of which he is enormously fond of, having visited previously in 2005." |
Australia visit | |
At the traditional Maori dinner - a hangi - hosted by Governor General Anand Satyanand, the prince is likely to enjoy food such as wild pig that has been cooked underground in earth ovens. | |
And he is likely to be welcomed by Maori elders with a hongi - the traditional rubbing of noses symbolising the exchange of breath. | |
On Sunday, the prince, who is second in line to the throne, will meet New Zealand rugby stars on a visit to the redeveloped Eden Park stadium - one of the venues for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. | |
William is then expected to take to the waters around Auckland when he joins the crew of a yacht used as an early trial boat for the 1999-2000 America's Cup series, won by the Pacific Ocean islands. | |
He will also attend a barbecue hosted by Mr Key, before travelling on to Australia for a short unofficial visit. |