Prince Harry completed a windy 40 minute waka journey, becoming the first royal to paddle the Whanganui River.
Harry got out of the waka and gave a big thumbs up to the crew, later admitting he was "absolutely knackered."
"That's my exercise done for the day."
The Prince was given a specially carved hoe (paddle) to help his efforts, carved by the kaiurungi (waka steerer)
Prince confesses he’s ‘knackered’ after Whanganui River workout
The captain of the waka Prince Harry paddled up Whanganui River yesterday offered to provide a list of ladies for the young royal - but warned him that Whanganui's women might be too much to handle.
Ned Tapa sat just behind the prince, something he described as a huge honour for the Whanganui iwi.
Earlier, Mr Tapa said he had a list of women he could present to the Prince as prospective wives. That prompted another crew member to wonder, "Will he be able to handle them?"
Prince Harry later admitted to someone in the crowd that he was "knackered" from the 40-minute paddle.
He also admitted to a weak spot, or rather a bald spot, after someone said he was like his father, Prince Charles, saying, "Yes, I'm losing my hair like him."
Prince Harry poses for a photo with Maori warriors. Photo / AFP
Prince Harry paddles in a waka on the Whanganui river during a visit to Whanganui. Photo / AFP
Earlier, he'd impressed the locals at Putiki Marae with his te reo Maori mihi.
There, he recalled his uncle Prince Edward had spent a year in Whanganui and was a regular visitor to the marae.
After the paddle, Harry went to the Whanganui War Memorial centre to meet about 180 veterans.
George Adams, a Malaya veteran, said they were most impressed with Harry. Mr Adams even rated him more highly than his brother, William.
"Harry beats him hands down," he said. "You couldn't get better."
World War II veteran Ronald Dixon was also impressed. "He's just a normal man like us. We like him."
Mr Dixon married again just three years ago so he too had some advice for Prince Harry to find love: "You don't find them, they find you."
Harry afterwards emerged to greet his adoring fans, and a few hopeful ladies just as the rain started. He spurned an umbrella and got soaked.
Today, the Prince visits Southern Cross Campus School in South Auckland, the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit of Middlemore Hospital and the youth programme at Turn Your Life Around Trust in Mangere.
Later he will have official audiences with Prime Minister John Key and Opposition leader Andrew Little, and attend a reception hosted by the Governor-General to recognise the emergency services.
Harry's New Zealand agenda
Saturday, May 9: Wellington
• Arriving in New Zealand, greeted by Governor-General at Government House.
• Visiting the National War Memorial and Anzac Square.
• Attending Hurricanes vs Sharks Super 15 rugby match, Westpac Stadium.
