Prince Harry performs a haka with NZ Army personnel during his visit to the Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North.
Royal takes all-terrain vehicle for a speedy spin and learns haka during visit to army base.
We've had Prince Charming, caring Harry, earth-brother Harry - and yesterday we got GI Harry.
Prince Harry has served in the British Army for the past decade, including two stints in Afghanistan. He also spent the past month training with Australia's army.
So New Zealand could not rely on the magnificence of its military hardware to impress him on his visit to Linton Military Camp yesterday.
Instead, it set up a unique exercise drill involving a subversive approach to clipped grass, weight-lifting a hangi and the haka.
Image 1 of 9: Prince Harry performing a haka with 1 Brigade soldiers during his visit to the Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North. 13 May 2015. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Prince arrived on an NH90 helicopter to see New Zealand's military might set out before him. This consisted of two light armoured vehicles (LAVs), two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), an ambulance and a few big rolls of cables stacked off to the side.
He wore his own combat uniform with New Zealand's badges on the sleeves - one the NZ flag and the other a kiwi.
He leapt into an ATV and disappeared for a fang about.
His passenger, Staff Sergeant Jason Edgecomb, later revealed the Prince had indeed "put his foot down" but had resisted doing donuts and had sensibly kept two hands on the wheel.
Prince Harry goes for a blat with Staff Sergeant Jason Edgecombe in an army ATV. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Harry hesitated only when told to drive along some neatly mown grass. As he skidded to a stop, he told Staff Sergeant Edgecomb: "Everything about that felt wrong. I was waiting for someone to tell me to get off the grass."
Staff Sergeant Edgecomb later observed it must be a British hangup. "There was a bit of a British [thing]; they're not used to walking on the grass, not allowed on the grass. Obviously here we are allowed to put the vehicle over the grass."
Next up was lifting a hangi that later served as lunch in the army's mess. The Prince managed that without getting any steam burns.
Prince Harry helps lift a hangi during his visit to the Linton Military Camp. Photo / Mark Mitchell
But the real heat was put on when it came to the haka. Harry had been provided with background material on the Ngati Tumatauenga [NZ Army] haka, but not instructions. The army's haka group performed it first, a thundering rendition that shook the hall. Then the media were shuffled out so Harry could have his lesson.
This happened with Harry in the middle while they formed a circle around him, presumably to critique his technique from all angles. Media were warned that if Harry was too bashful or it was felt he was not up to scratch, there would be no public performance of his new skill. No pressure, Harry.
But the Prince was made of sterner stuff than that and the media were duly allowed in again. He performed the war dance with great vigour and ended puffed and sweaty but nonetheless quite stoked with himself.
Prince Harry works up a sweat joining in the army haka. Photo / Mark Mitchell
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.
Among them was wheelchair-bound Corporal Jason Sturley, 47, of Linton, who had met the Prince before and watched him try a game of wheelchair rugby at last year's Games in London.
"He's a fantastic guy. Down to earth. Very genuine. We had a bit of banter. We joked about wheelchair rugby. He's had a go at it. He competed. He said everyone treated him like anyone else out there."
Harry helped set up the games, which are for wounded and disabled soldiers. Corporal Sturley was injured in a 2007 deployment to the Solomon Islands and lost his leg after getting septicaemia.
"It's an awesome thing for him to take the time out to come here. Couldn't be better. Especially as a serving member of the armed forces."
Prince Harry plays touch with children from the Linton Camp School. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Then it was on to Prince Harry's warm-down - a game of touch with children from the Linton Camp School. He still managed a sprint or two. But when it came time to leave, Harry, weighed down by hangi and traumatised from driving on mown grass, chose not to pilot the NH90 himself after all.
His cultural immersion continues today in Whanganui with a powhiri at Putiki Marae and a waka ride up the river.
