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 Harry has declined an umbrella in wet Whanganui, saying if his flock of royal fans have to stand in the rain, he will too.
"He always does (turns it down), especially if the crowd has been waiting in the rain," a member of the Prince's entourage said.
The crowd is 15 to 20 people deep behind the barrier. Wanganui residents Patricia Trower and Emeline Kedrewaca who have been waiting since early this morning got to shake the Prince's hand.
Emeline was there with her children Ula, 5, and Semi, 6 months. Patricia meet Prince Charles and Princess Diana when they were in Wanganui in 1983.
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 14, 2015
Earlier, Prince Harry chatted with tables of veterans at the War Memorial Centre in Whanganui, circulating with The Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
The prince looked through the Book of Remembrance in the foyer when he arrived.
The Whanganui RSA selected 180 veterans to meet the prince based on length of service so the oldest were given priority.
He remarked that it must be one of the few opportunities for the veterans to get together.
"Apart from the RSA," a few vets quipped, which got a laugh.
Among the vets was 91-year-old Ken Newton, who served on HMNZS Achilles during WWII and shook the hand of King George VI when the king visited the boat 70 years ago.
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 14, 2015
Earlier, 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), Ned Tapa. Mr Tapa said before setting off that he had not carved it for decoration and intended to make sure Harry used it.
He had expected the Prince to be very fit, given he was in the military and doubted he would be deadweight for the crew as it battled against the current. "I don't think he'd want to be."
While the school children in three waka which accompanied the Prince's up the river wore life jackets, Harry's crew wore traditional korowai. Harry was the exception in jeans and a black waterproof jacket.
Prince Harry paddles the waka down the windy river.
Photo / Pool
Ned Tapa and Prince Harry paddle a waka down the Whanganui River.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry paddles as he takes a waka journey on the Whanganui River.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry poses with Maori warriors as he as he prepares to take a Waka journey.
Photo / Pool
After arriving at the Union Boat Club, Harry went up onto the bank for an impromptu 'walkabout' meeting the locals who had gathered. He delighted one group by going through one of the barriers to cross to them.
He also admitted to having one weak - or bald - spot. When one woman told him he was just like his father he replied "I'm losing my hair like him."
Among those gathered was Kieran Spence, a chef, who appeared in a Union Jack kaftan and a ginger wig to meet his favourite royal.
He hadn't managed to get a handshake but did get a photo. He also had a view on the referendum to change the flag: "keep it as it is."
This morning Harry was welcomed onto Putiki Marae and delivered his own mihi in te reo Maori.
The Prince also recalled his uncle Prince Edward had spent a year in Whanganui and was a regular visitor to the marae.
"Unfortunately I'm not able to spend a whole year in Whanganui like he did."
He also quoted the Whanganui saying "I am the river and the river is me" and said it was "an extraordinary privilege" to be asked to travel on a waka on the river today.
He was also looking forward to learning more about the Treaty of Waitangi settlement over the river, agreed between the Crown and local iwi in 2014.
After a downpour of rain, the weather had cleared just in time for Prince Harry's arrival.
He walked on wearing the korowai (cloak) that Ngai Tahu had gifted him in Invercargill earlier this week.
Prince Harry makes a speech during a visit to Putiki Marae.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry looks on during a visit to Putiki Marae.
Photo / Pool
He was alongside Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
Prince Harry accepted the 'wero' (challenge) laid down by local Whanganui warriors, who performed a haka painted with mud from the banks of the Whanganui River.
Dame Tariana Turia was among the party welcoming him, chosen to present him with the gift from her iwi. She was heard voicing praise for his effort with the Army haka the day before.
He was presented with a hoe (waka paddle) and a pakohe taonga - a carving made from local dark stone.
In return, he presented the marae with a gift before he was taken into the wharekai for the traditional 'kaputi' (cup of tea).
Other well known faces included Ken Mair, and local MPs Adrian Rurawhe and Chester Borrows.
In 2014 the Crown signed an historic Deed of Settlement with the Whanganui iwi over the river, setting up a new legal framework for management of the river and giving $80 million in financial redress.
A number of road closures are set up around the city for the royal arrival - Kemp St and Takarangi St in Putiki will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8.30-11.30am while the Prince is a guest at Putiki marae.
He will then be taken by waka from the Putiki slipway to the Union Boat Club. The City Bridge will be off limits to pedestrians from 10.30am until noon.
Vehicles will be diverted from the bridge when the waka passes underneath it.
The final road closure affects Watt St, outside the War Memorial Centre, which will be closed to vehicles from midday until 3pm.
Prince Harry will have lunch with veterans and invited guests at the hall then a walkabout on the forecourt at 2.30pm before leaving Wanganui.
Tomorrow, the prince begins his final leg of his New Zealand tour in Auckland.
He will begin his day by visiting Southern Cross Campus School in South Auckland, before heading to the New Zealand Rugby Foundation at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit of Middlemore Hospital.
He will be met by Sir Colin Meads, Tane Norton and Keven Mealamu.Later in the morning he will visit youth programme at Turn Your Life Around Trust in Mangere.
Yesterday Harry wore his own combat uniform with New Zealand's badges on the sleeves for a visit to Linton Army Camp, near Palmerston North.
Prince Harry arrives at Linton Military Base, near Palmerston North.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry sits in a New Zealand Army light armoured vehicle.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry drives a LAV at Linton Military Base.
Photo / Pool
The prince impressed with his performance of the haka, getting involved with great vigour and ending puffed and sweaty but nonetheless quite stoked with himself.
Warrant Officer 2 Brent Pene later said it had been a rigorous 20-minute training session as Harry tried to get the moves down pat. "Yeah, he was sweating, we were sweating, a bit of frustration set in."
The Prince had a small break after eating the hangi he had lifted, before meeting the Nursing Corps, wounded soldiers, families of the fallen and Invictus Games athletes.
Harry's New Zealand agenda
Saturday, May 9: Wellington
• Arriving in New Zealand, greeted by Governor-General at Government House.
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 10, 2015
May 12: Christchurch • Visiting the Quake City exhibition, mall, and meeting student volunteers from Canterbury University.
Prince Harry rides a bike to power a television as New Zealand Prime Minister John Key watches on during a tour of Quake City Museum.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry looks at a picture of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the same tram shot in 1995, whilst on a ride on the historic Christchurch Tram.
Photo / Pool
Britain's Prince Harry mimics a baby yawning as he meets the public in Christchurch.
Photo / Pool
May 13: Palmerston North • Visiting Linton Military Camp. He is to be taught the Army's haka.
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.
