Clark will be with Prince Andrew when final count released

While the rest of the country waits with bated breath on Saturday for the final results of the election, caretaker Prime Minister Helen Clark will be in Nelson with Prince Andrew.

The Duke of York will be in Nelson on Saturday to launch Nelson's Trafalgar 200 commemorations, and the Prime Minister's office confirmed today that Helen Clark will join him.

Special votes and final results of the general election are due to be released at 2pm on Saturday, which will be right in the middle of their Nelson visit.

Prince Andrew's first stop in Nelson will be to a Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment training exercise at Rabbit Island at 10am.

From there, he will go to Whakatu Marae in Nelson for a powhiri at 12.45pm and then lunch. Mr Matheson said the principals and eight senior students from Nelson College, Garin College, Nayland College and Nelson College for Girls would also be attending the lunch.

At 2.30pm Prince Andrew will attend the dedication of new west-end windows at Nelson's Christ Church Cathedral, before walking down the cathedral steps to meet members of the public.

After unveiling a plaque on the Trafalgar 200 sculpture at the new Millers Acre Centre at 3.15pm, the Prince will do another walkabout to meet members of the public.

Mr Matheson said an area from Halifax St to Grove St would be roped off to allow the public to see the prince.

He said that while security would be tight, he had been told Prince Andrew liked to meet the public, and he expected a good turnout of Nelsonians to see the Queen's son.

"He's a member of the royal family who likes to shake hands," Mr Matheson said.

Helen Clark will join Prince Andrew at Whakatu Marae, the cathedral windows dedication and the Trafalgar 200 plaque unveiling.

- nzpa