As New Zealand prepares to vote on the future of the flag, Prince Harry has pushed home the links between the royal family and New Zealand on his final night in the country.
At a reception last night, the Prince moved to reinforce the royal family's affection for New Zealand just after meetings at which the debate around the flag was discussed with Labour leader Andrew Little, who is a republican, and Prime Minister John Key.
"These links are of course central to the constitution of this nation, but they go much deeper than that. They are built on a profound personal fondness for this captivating country and its charming, talented people," the Prince said.
The speech at a reception for emergency services and disaster response workers ticked all the right boxes for a New Zealand audience, including saying nice things about the country, rugby and self deprecating jokes. He even ad libbed a bit. After saying he could not believe it had taken him more than 30 years to get to New Zealand but he was delighted to finally have made it, he quipped "I know I'm sounding like some kind of explorer. A failed explorer."
He also inadvertently touched on a controversial political topic: spying. "As a passionate rugby fan, I've always wanted to know how you can be so damned good with such a small population. But don't worry, I am not here to spy on you. I come in peace, despite what people think."
