Shear success for Prince on sheep farm

Prince Charles' clipping style impressed a top shearer on Moutere Station near Alexandra. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Prince Charles put his farming skills to good use yesterday and was declared "rather good" at shearing by one of New Zealand's best.

Omarama-based shearer Peter Casserley - world-famous for shearing rogue Central Otago sheep Shrek last year - managed to talk the Prince of Wales into having a go with the blades on a high-country sheep station near Alexandra.

The Prince had flown from Dunedin to Moutere Station for the afternoon, first watching a 1300-strong merino flock being mustered before heading into the shearing shed.

The farm is a fourth-generation station owned by the Jopp family. The merino they breed are regarded as some of the world's best.

Initially, Prince Charles watched carefully and was impressed by Mr Casserley's careful efforts at shearing.

The Prince initially declined when invited to have a go, saying he was "not properly dressed", but on the second ewe Mr Casserley managed to coax him into it.

It was not his first time shearing - several years ago on a visit to Australia he had a go with the electric shears. Yesterday the blades were "quite sharp and surprisingly heavy", he said.

"Very good, very nice," Mr Casserley said as the Prince slowly clipped away at the fleece.

"How's the back?"

"Not very good," the Prince laughed, before handing the blades back to the expert.

Later, Mr Casserley said Prince Charles had done well to keep the blade against the sheep's skin and had a nice clipping style, giving him "an eight out of 10", despite the obvious back strain.

"Perhaps he's saving his back for something else."

After a private lunch with high-country farmers, Charles flew back to Dunedin by helicopter, then headed to Wellington for the formal welcome at Government House.

There, he was given a triple challenge by the Defence Force cultural group before being officially welcomed by the Governor-General.

Dame Silvia Cartwright congratulated the Prince on his engagement to Camilla Parker Bowles.

"On behalf of all New Zealanders, we wish you much happiness and success for your future together."

Earlier, students from St Patrick's College Con Anima choir sang Kiss The Girl for the Prince, with leader Roger Powdell admitting that next month's royal wedding had been at the back of their minds when choosing the Disney song.

Politicians at the official welcome included Prime Minister Helen Clark, who wore a skirt (she was widely criticised for wearing trousers at a state dinner for the Queen three years ago), National Party leader Don Brash and self-confessed "conservative republican" Peter Dunne, United Future leader.

The royal visit has coincided with New Zealand's plans to review its constitutional arrangements, a move expected to involve debate over our ties to the monarchy.

Helen Clark said yesterday that she did not intend to brief the Prince - who will become New Zealand's head of state when he is crowned King - on the select committee inquiry she set up last year, which will be chaired by Mr Dunne.

"If he raises it, of course he can have whatever information that he wants," she said.

"But I'm not anticipating that it will be a topic of conversation over dinner necessarily."

The private dinner will be held at Government House tonight.

Helen Clark has previously indicated that New Zealand's status as a constitutional monarchy may be reviewed when the Queen's reign ends. National and New Zealand First are boycotting the constitutional review.

Today, the Prince will visit the National War Memorial to meet returned service personnel before a short walk around the Civic Centre.

Afterwards he will attend the launch of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol at Wellington's City Gallery before visiting Te Omanga Hospice in Lower Hutt.