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| William opens NZ Supreme Court | William opens NZ Supreme Court |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Prince William has delivered his first major speech as a senior member of the Royal Family, officially opening New Zealand's Supreme Court building. | Prince William has delivered his first major speech as a senior member of the Royal Family, officially opening New Zealand's Supreme Court building. |
| Wearing a traditional Maori cloak, the 27-year-old addressed dignitaries, including Prime Minister John Key, at the ceremony in Wellington. | Wearing a traditional Maori cloak, the 27-year-old addressed dignitaries, including Prime Minister John Key, at the ceremony in Wellington. |
| He described New Zealand as "a nation that believes passionately in itself", but with enduring ties to Britain. | He described New Zealand as "a nation that believes passionately in itself", but with enduring ties to Britain. |
| The prince is representing the Queen on his first official overseas visit. | The prince is representing the Queen on his first official overseas visit. |
| He said earlier it meant "an awful lot" to him to stand in for his grandmother. | He said earlier it meant "an awful lot" to him to stand in for his grandmother. |
| Head of state | Head of state |
| Elders from Wellington's Maori community honoured William with the traditional nose-pressing greeting, the hongi, as he arrived at the court building. | Elders from Wellington's Maori community honoured William with the traditional nose-pressing greeting, the hongi, as he arrived at the court building. |
| He was also draped in a korowai cloak made with kiwi feathers. | He was also draped in a korowai cloak made with kiwi feathers. |
| Once inside, William told those gathered: "The overwhelming impression I have is of a nation that believes passionately in itself, in the value of democracy, in each other and other peoples, and in the rule of law." | Once inside, William told those gathered: "The overwhelming impression I have is of a nation that believes passionately in itself, in the value of democracy, in each other and other peoples, and in the rule of law." |
| Prince William is a chief and we welcomed him as a chief. Nga Iwi O Taranaki, Maori leader | Prince William is a chief and we welcomed him as a chief. Nga Iwi O Taranaki, Maori leader |
| The BBC's royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the prince's speech had focused on maintaining the status quo - with the Queen as New Zealand's head of state - and the word "republic" was never mentioned. | The BBC's royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the prince's speech had focused on maintaining the status quo - with the Queen as New Zealand's head of state - and the word "republic" was never mentioned. |
| Instead, our correspondent said William had spoken about the two country's closely shared values and the enduring partnership between the indigenous Maori population and the British crown. | Instead, our correspondent said William had spoken about the two country's closely shared values and the enduring partnership between the indigenous Maori population and the British crown. |
| The prince also used his speech to express sympathy for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. | The prince also used his speech to express sympathy for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. |
| Before the opening ceremony, William watched a group of Maori warriors perform the haka - the chest-beating, tongue-waving greeting reserved for important individuals. | Before the opening ceremony, William watched a group of Maori warriors perform the haka - the chest-beating, tongue-waving greeting reserved for important individuals. |
| Nga Iwi O Taranaki, leader of the group, said afterwards: "Prince William is a chief and we welcomed him as a chief." | Nga Iwi O Taranaki, leader of the group, said afterwards: "Prince William is a chief and we welcomed him as a chief." |
| Hundreds of well-wishers turned out to welcome the second-in-line to the throne, but the crowd also included a small number of anti-monarchy activists. | Hundreds of well-wishers turned out to welcome the second-in-line to the throne, but the crowd also included a small number of anti-monarchy activists. |
| Among them was Kerry Bevin, founder of New Zealand's Republican Party, who used a megaphone to tell those gathered it was "time for Kiwis to control their own destiny". | Among them was Kerry Bevin, founder of New Zealand's Republican Party, who used a megaphone to tell those gathered it was "time for Kiwis to control their own destiny". |
| William later visited the Kapiti Island Nature Reserve, a sanctuary for endangered species, and attended a barbecue hosted by Mr Key at Premier House. |