Eye to eye, nose to nose with a prince

Prince Edward is greeted by teacher Tawai Frost during a visit to Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, is in New Zealand on a four-day visit. Yesterday he went to Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt for the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award ceremony.

He arrives in Auckland today and will attend a British New Zealand Business Association lunch. Then he will join 40 young people aboard the Spirit of New Zealand on the Waitemata Harbour.

The last time he sailed on the vessel was in 1982 while he was studying in New Zealand.

Spirit of Adventure Trust's chairman Stephen Fisher said: "We are honoured that Prince Edward is spending time on board the ship and able to sail with the youth of New Zealand. We are pleased to have him back aboard."

Tonight he will be hosted by Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and his wife Lady Susan at a Government House dinner before returning to London.

- NZ HERALD STAFF