Prince Charles meets with John Key and Andrew Little

John Key meets Prince Charles at the Langham Hotel. Photo / Getty Images

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has met Labour leader Andrew Little and Prime Minister John Key in Auckland yesterday evening.

In a private room at the Langham Hotel, Prince Charles sat down first with the leader of the Opposition for 20 minutes.

After the men briefly shook hands and exchanged pleasantries - about Mr Little's home town New Plymouth and the weather - the news media were escorted out of the room.

Prince Charles said the weather meant they unfortunately had no sight of Mt Taranaki during their visit this afternoon.

Mr Little, on his way out of the room after the meeting, said he and the prince had had a "very good" discussion, covering topics such as climate change and the future of work.

One topic that was not covered, however, was the flag debate.

Upon entering the hotel earlier in the evening, Mr Little told media that he would be seeing if Prince Charles had a view about the flag debate in New Zealand.

"I'll have to disclose at some point that I am a republican, but I believe in a respectful and courteous relationship with the royal family because the Queen is still our head of state," he said.

Mr Little said the flag debate came up in his conversation with Prince Harry earlier in the year and described the younger Prince as being "exercised" by the issue.

"Just interested to know if he [Prince Charles] has a view on it and what it might be."

He said he would also perhaps share where he thinks New Zealanders are at on the issue of the flag.

Mr Little said later that he was not disappointed the flag was not talked about as they had covered other "very important" issues.

Mr Key replaced Mr Little in the room shortly after and in between big smiles and firm handshakes also talked about the weather, the royal visit to New Zealand, and the career of veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards -- from The Sun newspaper -- who was in the room.

The media were then asked to leave before the Prime Minister and Prince Charles began their conversation.