Prince Harry arrives to heavy rain at Wanaka Airport.
Photo / Lucy Ibbotson
Prince Harry arrives to heavy rain at Wanaka Airport.
Photo / Lucy Ibbotson
Prince Harry has arrived in a very wet Wanaka for some private time, after leaving Stewart Island this morning.
Heavy rain greeted the Prince, who arrive at the Wanaka Airport just before midday. A small crowd had gathered to watch him run from the helicopter to a van, before he was whisked away to an unknown destination.
Prince Harry is understood to be staying over night in the Wanaka area, before flying to Christchurch in the morning, to continue his tour of the country.
The 30-year-old prince spent this morning on Stewart Island at Halfmoon Bay School, which has just two teachers and 24 students.
There he got the chance to see how the students, aged between five and 13, make the most of video and online technology to enhance their learning from their remote location.
The special royal guest sat in on a beginners German class, which was being taught by Stephanie Michel from her home in the Taranaki.
Along with the four Halfmoon Bay School students, Prince Harry also got to interact with children at schools in Taranaki and Auckland.
"Sorry I don't speak German, but good morning," he told them all.
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 10, 2015
Two students welcomed Prince Harry to the school and a nervous-looking year one pupil read a story he had written about making poppies for the school's Anzac display.
"Make the most of it guys, suck in the fresh air."
The conversation turned to helicopters and the prince suggested the students write to Prime Minister John Key and ask if they could all go for a helicopter ride around Stewart Island.
The school's band then performed The Exponents' classic song, Why Does Love Do This To Me.
Prince Harry gave the students a warm round of applause after they performed another song, Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire.
He was then presented with a Halfmoon Bay School calendar and cookbook.
Prince Harry told the band they were "going to be awesome" and to keep practising.
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 10, 2015
Prince Harry charmed locals on Stewart Island with his friendly, "down to earth" attitude.
Last night, he attended a pub quiz at the South Sea Hotel, where his team - The Ginger Ninjas - came second, pipped for first by his own bodyguards.
Stewart Island Backpackers owner Vicki Coats, quiz mistress for the night, treated the Prince to some choice expletives and enough blasphemous outbursts to rock St Andrew's Anglican Church just up the hill, where the Prince had worshipped earlier in the night.
"The Stewart Island quiz is the Stewart Island quiz - it doesn't matter who comes," Ms Coats said.
She said she chatted with Harry a couple of times over the evening and he told her he was enjoying New Zealand, although his full schedule meant he was a bit tired."
"He's lovely, he's just a really nice, down to earth, lovely guy," Ms Coats said.
"Just normal, no pretension."
Yesterday was the second day of Harry's NZ visit, and he charmed his way into the hearts of many southerners.
Earlier in the day, he first visited Invercargill, where at the museum he met his namesake Henry, a tuatara more than 110 years old.
Prince Harry is welcomed by a 100 year old Tuatara lizard called Henry after landing in Invercargill.
Photo / Getty
After flying to Stewart Island, he went straight to the community centre. About 80 members of community groups were inside to meet him, and 100 others were outside to catch a glimpse. The groups accounted for roughly half the island's population.
Today's Itinerary • 9.30am: Prince Harry visits Halfmoon Bay School on Stewart Island. • 10.45am: Prince Harry departs Stewart Island for private time.
May 12: Christchurch • Visiting the Quake City exhibition, mall, and meeting student volunteers from Canterbury University.
May 13: Palmerston North • Visiting Linton Military Camp. He is to be taught the Army's haka. • Visit to Odyssey House in Burnside.
May 14: Wanganui • Powhiri at Putiki Marae followed by a waka experience. • Meeting with veterans and a walkabout.
May 15: Auckland • Visit to Southern Cross Campus School where he will view a cultural performance and meet with students. • Visit to spinal rehabilitation unit. • Visit to Turn your Life Around. • Visit to Government House. There will be an evening reception to recognise emergency services.
May 16: Auckland • FIFA U20 event, followed by a walkabout at The Cloud. • Visit to High Performance Sport New Zealand at Mairangi Bay.
