Prince Harry has drawn comparisons to Paul Scholes with a top-class volley highlighting his appearance at The Cloud this afternoon.
After shaking hands with plenty of dignitaries on his week-long tour, the Prince had a chance to showcase his talents with his feet, taking part in a five-a-side football game at The Cloud to promote the Under 20 Football World Cup.
New Zealand's eight days of Royal excitement are over, with the formalities of Prince Harry's first "amazing trip" to New Zealand all wrapped up.
Taking the rest of the day off for "private time" after spending the morning wowing crowds in Auckland, Harry jets back to the United Kingdom this evening after a sports-fuelled final day of public appearances.
Prince Harry captains the New Zealand team playing the All Stars in a five a side game of football to promote FIFA Under 20 World Cup at the Cloud. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry greets the crowd outside The Cloud following his five-a-side footy game. Photos / Tina Trenkner-Meade
After stops in Wellington, Invercargill, Stewart Island, Christchurch, the Linton Military Camp, Wanaka and Whanganui, the down-to-Earth Royal, 30, brought the curtain down in the nation's biggest city, where he continued to attract big crowds and charm the locals.
Prince Harry meets with fans and Auckland public during a walkabout outside The Cloud in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry meets with fans and Auckland public during a walkabout outside The Cloud. Photo / Getty Images
"The whole trip has been epic fun."
While waiting for the prince's arrival to the Cloud, Prime Minister John Key reflected on what he describes as a very successful tour for the prince.
"He's been having a fantastic time and I think he's really enjoyed it," said John Key. "It was a trip he was looking forward to - I spoke to him about it when we were in Gallipoli together."
"I think he's a great young man and he's a credit to the royal family. He carries himself very well. He's a natural."
Prince Harry arrives at The Cloud in Auckland. Photo / Simon Plumb
The prime minister greeted Harry as he arrived at the event, dressed in black sports trousers and black sports jacket, which was half zipped up. After saying good morning to the prince, the prime minister asked what was on the white shirt Harry was wearing underneath - prompting Harry to peel back his jacket, revealing his shirt with 'New Zealand' emblazoned upon it. Key had a chuckle before saying "Good man!" and guiding him into The Cloud - where Harry got off to a flying start this morning.
Scoring a stunning winning goal in game a five-a-side football, Harry walloped home a volley right at the death of the match. Playing for "New Zealand" with some lucky youngsters from Western Springs, Harry's volley saw his side take the spoils 8-7, much to the delight of the crowd.
Prince Harry captains the New Zealand team playing the All Stars in a five a side game of football. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry with his team at The Cloud in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Tom Russell, 15, of Auckland, played on Harry's team. He said he would have the prince on his team again.
"He was good. Up to standard. I'd definitely have him on my team again. He must have been practising his skills a bit. It was cool. I tried to make the most of it. It's not every day you play with a prince. And we won!"
Tuyi Byamana who also played on Harry's team said "we nicknamed him Scolesy after Paul Scoles because he's ginger and he scores goals."
Prince Harry speaks with FIFA U20 Football World Cup volunteers at The Cloud. Photo / Getty Images
The 14-year-old said the Prince was humble and down to earth.
"His goal was stunning. Cracking. He should be playing premier league. We both support Arsenal so we've got a brotherhood."
Watch: Prince Harry's walkabout at The Cloud
Going on to meet volunteers and footballing dignitaries involved in New Zealand's hosting of the Fifa under-20 World Cup this year, Harry was generous with his time, running up to half an hour late for his main walkabout in Downtown Auckland where a huge crowd were waiting to catch a glimpse.
Prince Harry playing football with some youngsters at The Cloud in Auckland. Photo / Simon Plumb
Prince Harry playing football with some youngsters at The Cloud in Auckland. Photo / Simon Plumb
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 15, 2015
As the crowds waited for Prince Harry to arrive, seven-year-old Auckland girl Tabitha Snowsill was seen wearing a crown bought in London and clutching a hand drawn sign asking for a kiss. The prince, sporting orange highlighter-coloured hair, also featured on the sign.
It wasn't his hair that won Tabitha over though.
"I like him because he's one of the royal family."
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 15, 2015
Also waiting for the prince to arrive was illustrator Hayley Heartbreak.
When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in Auckland early last year she waited for a chance to present the couple with an original artwork she had done to commemorate their visit. Today she turned up with a piece of art for Harry that she is hoping to give to him.
Hayley Heartbreak with her original artwork. Photo / Cherie Howie
A police escort then whisked him across the Auckland harbour bridge for a short trip to Mairangi Bay on the North Shore, where rugby-mad Harry met World Cup-winning All Black Kieran Read, Olympic triathlon champion Hamish Carter, Silver Ferns star Maria Tutaia and newly-installed Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling.
Trying his hand at weightlifting while at the Millennium Institute, New Zealand's high performance sport hub, Harry's eagerness to get his hands dirty polished off a successful and seamless first trip to New Zealand.
Prince Harry takes part in a rugby training exercise at the AUT Millenium Institute in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry takes part in a weight training excercise at the AUT Millenium Institute in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Fan Debbie Bonne and her children Ben, 12, and Aimee, 10, wore sparkly hats to attract the prince's attention and they were rewarded with a smile.
"It was fantastic," a beaming Bonne said. "I just love the royal family."
Ben Bonne, 12, Aimee Bonne, 10, Debbie Bonne and friend Jaden Movold, 11, at Millennium Institute after seeing Prince Harry. Photo / Cherie Howie
Mum Niki Cowie was seen waiting outside with her sister Suzanne Turner, of Browns Bay, and was hoping to meet her 'future son-in-law' for the first time.
Daughter Lauren, 21, has chosen coffee with friends over meeting the prince, but Cowie has big plans anyway. She wants the pair to marry.
"My daughter has just graduated, she's blonde and beautiful, she's intelligent. I wish I had her photo so they could start their relationship."
Suzanne Turner and Niki Cowie wait for Harry at Millennium Institute. Cowie wants her daughter to marry Harry. Photo / Cherie Howie
Other activities the Prince got up to in his eight-day stay including paddled upstream on the Whanganui River, delivering a speech in Te Reo at Putiki Marae and in one of the more intimate moments, took part in a pub quiz on Stewart Island. There have also been countless encounters with schoolchildren and members of the public who have come out in force to see him.
Yesterday, the prince paid tribute to emergency service and disaster response teams at a reception at Auckland's Government House, as well as acknowledging New Zealand's skill at rugby.
Prince Harry met Labour leader Andrew Little at Government House, congratulating him on his 50th birthday.
Mr Little and Labour's deputy leader Annette King went into their meeting with Prince Harry and the Prince raised Mr Little's 50th birthday which was last week.
Earlier in the day a very wet Prince Harry arrived at Southern Cross Campus in Mangere where he presented certificates to students who had performed outstanding leadership and participation in the school. The head girl and head boy of the school delivered a speech to the prince and the audience.
Rugby stars Keven Mealamu and Jerome Kaino presented Prince Harry with a personalised All Blacks jersey printed with "P Harry" and the number 15 on the back.
Prince Harry received the jersey when he visited Middlemore spinal unit where he was welcomed with a speech by Sir Colin Meads.
All Blacks stars Jerome Kaino (R) and Keven Mealamu meet Prince Harry at the Auckland Spinal Rehabiltation Unit in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Harry was also given two watercolour paintings by patients at the Middlemore spinal unit, which he said was "amazing".
The prince then visited the TYLA where he sat down with youth and ran through the values of the programme: trust, truth, respect, choice and consequence.
The casual prince arrived at TYLA with his sleeves rolled up and broke the ice with the residents over rounds of scissors, paper, rock.
Prince Harry visits the TYLA (Turn Your Life Around) youth development centre where he met with a group of youngsters in Mangere, South Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
He went on to play a few rounds of foosball, ping pong and a fast version of pool.
Harry painted his hand purple to contribute to the handprint wall at TYLA, but quickly dashed across the room to plant a purple handprint onto the head of a member of the British media.
Harry's New Zealand agenda
Saturday, May 9: Wellington
• Arrived in New Zealand, greeted by Governor-General at Government House.
Prince Harry sits in a New Zealand Army light armoured vehicle (LAV) during a visit to Linton Military Camp in Linton, near Palmerston North.
Photo / Pool
May 14: Wanganui • Powhiri at Putiki Marae followed by a waka experience. • Met with veterans and went on a walkabout.
May 15: Auckland • Visited Southern Cross Campus School where he watched a cultural performance and met with students. • Visited the spinal rehabilitation unit at Middlemore Hospital. • Visited youth at Turn your Life Around. • Visited Government House. Where the prince gave a speech to recognise emergency services.
Prince Harry watches performances by students at Southern Cross Campus School.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry watches Grant Sharman mouth paint as he visited a spinal rehabiltation unit.
Photo / Pool
New Zealand Governor General The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae speaks as Lady Janine Mateparae and Prince Harry look on at Government House. Photo / Getty Images
Today: May 16: Auckland • FIFA U20 event, followed by a walkabout at The Cloud. • Visit to High Performance Sport New Zealand at Mairangi Bay.
