A very wet Prince Harry walked in to the school hall at Southern Cross Campus in Mangere this morning. The playful prince gave an exaggerated shake to get the rain off his navy blue suit much to he delight of the kids.
Prince Harry has paid tribute to emergency service and disaster response teams at a reception tonight, as well as New Zealand's skill at rugby.
Speaking at a reception for the emergency services at Government House, he said he had wondered how a country so small could be so good at rugby.
"But don't worry, I'm not here to spy on you. I come in peace, despite what some may think."
The Prince also spoke about Christchurch, saying his brother William had told him many "heartwrenching stories" about the people of Christchurch.
He said the response, including that of the Volunteer Student Army, was "characteristically Kiwi".
Prior to his remarks, Prince Harry congratulated Labour leader Andrew Little on his 50th birthday when the two met tonight at Government House in Auckland.
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.
Labour leader Andrew Little emerged from his meeting with the Prince, saying he was "a very genuine guy."
He said the Prince had talked about his time in New Zealand.
"He said he had an amazing time in Stewart Island, Christchurch, Whanganui. He was particularly impressed with his visit to Southern Cross School this morning. He was a bit disappointed to think it had taken him 30 years to get to New Zealand, but he was impressed by what he's seen and very touched by his visit to the school this morning."
Mr Little had also made his views on republicanism clear, saying they talked about the flag debate underway in New Zealand. "He is aware I'm a republican. We had a good discussion about that, conducted respectfully."
Prince Harry greets Labour Party leader Andrew Little at Government House in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Mr Little had also passed on to Prince Harry that he was impressed with Prince Charles' speeches at Gallipoli services over Anzac Day.
Mr Little tweeted about his meeting with Prince Harry afterward, saying the Prince was "a thoroughly nice young man doing a difficult job with real dignity."
As they met for the start of their meeting, Prince Harry could be heard talking about the hongi and haka with Prime Minister John Key. Prince William met with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition (then David Cunliffe) on his visit last year.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key talks with Prince Harry at Government House in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
The debate over changing the New Zealand flag was a topic in Prince Harry's meetings with both Mr Key and Mr Little earlier this evening.
After their meeting, a spokesman for Mr Key said they had discussed a range of issues including the flag referendums, the recent flooding in Wellington, the Treaty relationship and efforts to raise educational achievement for Maori and Pasifika students.
"The Prime Minister was pleased to hear Prince Harry had thoroughly enjoyed his trip to New Zealand and to receive an assurance that he would be back."
After his time with Mr Key, Prince Harry had an encounter with Graeme Hill and his pup Gemma:
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 15, 2015
Earlier today: 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 visited Middlemore spinal unit where he was welcomed with a speech by Sir Colin Meads this morning.
"He was like, 'finally, I get one of these'," Mealamu said.
Mr Sharman, of Pukekohe, gave him a watercolor depicting the prince with a helicopter.
"I love that," Harry said. "What is it?"
"It's you!" Mr Sharman said.
Harry was amazed and said everyone was very kind.
Prince Harry watches Grant Sharman mouth paint as he visited a spinal rehabiltation unit.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry talks art with patient Dayna Tiwha as he visited a spinal rehabiltation unit.
Photo / Pool
The prince then visited the TYLA where he sat down with youth sat down and ran through the values of the programme: trust, truth, respect, choice and consequence.
"Where there consequences? Did you make it right? If you haven't made it right, you need to," he said.
He said it was the actions that people take to make things right that build their character, not the bad choices they make.
The casual prince arrived at TYLA with his sleeves rolled up and is breaking ice with the residents over rounds of scissors, paper, rock.
He stepped straight up to play a young guy at foosball.
He took on another guy at table tennis, but missed an early shot and said "I gotta warm up."
Harry then stepped up to play a young man at a fast version of pool. The prince took his first shot and got off to a bad start, and was playfully jumping around the small pool table, passing the cue backwards and forwards.
There was lots of laughing and joking between the prince and his opponent.
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.
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 15, 2015
He apologised to the young people there, who were all smiling and laughing at the disruption.
TYLA is a youth development programme that works with children, young people and families to reduce and prevent youth offending.
The programme works with the police, to target intervention of offending and to manage the cases of young offenders with their families and community. Children from ages 9 to 17 can be referred to TYLA.
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 15, 2015
General manager of TYLA Anastasia Meredith said she was blown away when she was told Prince Harry would be coming for a visit.
"I couldn't believe it, we are a small community, a small charitable trust, and someone like Prince Harry wants to come to our hood and hang out with our kids."
She said some of the young people in TYLA didn't know who Prince Harry was before they were told.
"We showed them some clips of him in the army, with the queen, and with his brother's family," Ms Meredith said.
"They're really excited... That he wanted to come to Otara is really cool."
A very wet Prince Harry walked in to the school hall at Southern Cross Campus in Mangere first thing this morning. The playful prince gave an exaggerated shake to get the rain off his navy blue suit much to he delight of the kids.
A very wet Prince Harry arrives at Southern Cross Campus School.
Photo / Pool
Students dance in torrential rain as they wait for Prince Harry at Southern Cross School Campus.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry presented certificates to students who have performed outstanding leadership and participation in the school. The head girl and head boy of the school have delivered a speech to the prince and the audience.
Prince Harry was told his visit has boosted the Maori and Pasifika identity of students at the school and in the Manukau community.
He was presented with a painting done by a student.
Prince Harry took a moment to look at the painting and a big smile spread across his face.
Prince Harry waves to students at Southern Cross Campus School.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry talks to performers at Southern Cross Campus School.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry acknowledges students at Southern Cross Campus School.
Photo / Pool
The special guests of the school including trustees of the school sang before greeting Prince Harry with hongi. The prince and his party were presented with lei by students.
Cook Island dancers perform at Southern Cross School Campus for Prince Harry.
Photo / Pool
Cook Island Dancers perform at Southern Cross School Campus for Prince Harry.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry meets Cook Island Dancers at Southern Cross School Campus.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry meets dancers at Southern Cross School Campus.
Photo / Pool
The Samoan cultural group were welcomed to the stage with conch shells being blown by students.
Tongan students have performed a song and dance in traditional dress for Prince Harry. Girls wore beautiful red outfits with headpieces.
Two of the dancers from the Tongan cultural performance told NZME news service that Prince Harry was watching their performance with a big smile on his face.
Seline Paletua, 18, said the group had been preparing every day for two weeks.
"It was nerve-wracking, but then we were happy because we were representing our culture."
Tufui Lauhingoa, 17, said Prince Harry seemed to really enjoy the performance. "He was smiling and it made me want to smile even more."
On Monday, Harry let slip a telling revelation that was music to the nation's (and no doubt Her Majesty's) ears - he announced he was getting broody.
Yesterday the captain of the waka Harry paddled offered to provide a list of ladies for the young royal - but warned him that Whanganui's women might be too much to handle.
"They're beautiful women, but oh, the old mouth when it goes. I don't know if he could handle that."
Meanwhile, the face of the woman who welcomed Harry in to Wellington last Saturday has gone around the world, some social media calling her his new girlfriend.
Prince Harry performs a hongi as he attends a ceremony of Welcome at Government House.
Photo / Pool
Ruatoki's Ohinemataroa Iti-Kereopa is taking it all on the chin. Actually - more on the nose.
She was photographed greeting the prince with a hongi at Government House and the picture has been seen worldwide.
— 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 greeting the children of Christchurch.
Photo / Pool
Prince Harry talks to a little boy during a walkabout 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.
