A tattooed and bare-bottomed Maori warrior left the Duchess of Cambridge grinning and proved an international hit with his key role in a welcome ceremony.

Armed with a pair of binoculars, one of Britain's most seasoned royal reporters deftly cut through an international media throng to secure her place on the tarmac's edge.

It was inevitable Prince George would overshadow his parents on the royal visit but nobody expected it to happen at the first event.

Regal in red, the Duchess of Cambridge set the tone for this week's royal tour, arriving in Wellington in a tastefully tailored bespoke scarlet coat and gown.

Prince William, his wife Catherine and baby George breezed into the capital on a strong southerly today and seem to have charmed everybody they met.

Crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of the Prince William and his family gathered on Wellington's Oriental parade. Following the passing of the Royal motorcade, they were surprised by how quickly they passed. Foul weather didn't put off the royal-watchers, many of whom were waving Union Jack flags.

Editorial: It seems a generation since New Zealand welcomed a royal family, and it is.

Photos from Day 1 of the Royal's New Zealand tour. For all the latest news on the Royal visit check out our live blog. Follow Life & Style on Twitter and Facebook.

It is "inevitable'' that New Zealand will ditch the monarchy and become a republic, Sir Don McKinnon says.

The Duchess of Cambridge can't put a stylish foot wrong with thousands of fans snapping up items from the royal wardrobe.

In anticipation of the arrival of Prince William, his wife Kate Middleton and their son Prince George, we take a look at images tracing the history of royal visits to NZ.

Images of royals in NZ over time.

The sharp fashion money is on Kate Middleton stepping out in items from top NZ labels Emilia Wickstead, World or Karen Walker this month.

Plunket is in the hotseat after breaching its own infant safety guidelines by installing Prince George's child restraint back-to-front in the royal limo.

Big-name Kiwi labels have been mum on whether they have supplied the Duchess of Cambridge with any creations but it is expected the royal visitor will appear in NZ-designed outfits.

Meeting a royal has meant a few extra lessons for a group of young students in Central Otago.

Premium NZ lamb, beef and seafood - from Waiheke Island in the north to Dunedin in the south - will be laid out for the the royal media pack tomorrow.

Towns on the royal tour are getting ready for an international spotlight that promises to boost the promotion of New Zealand.

Should you happen to come into royal contact, UK etiquette expert William Hanson has some tips to help you act more like a toff.

Royal fever will look less like a fairytale and more like a celebrity Twitter feed when the new generation of the British monarchy arrive in New Zealand next week, a media specialist says.

A Massey University author was surprised to hear Prince George would be getting his book as a memento when his parents visit Cambridge next weekend.

John Key has branded criticism of the release of royal routes as "nonsense", and the man responsible for the remarks "an idiot".

New Zealand officials organising next week's royal visit have rejected reports by British media that publicity for events during the tour gives a "manual for terrorists, nutters and fixated people hoping to harm them". The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their 8-month-old son Prince George will spend 10 days in New Zealand from Monday.

Prime Minister John Key has had his offer of a home-cooked meal at his family home in Auckland's exclusive Parnell turned down by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.