For one short week, we were unapologetic pigs in muck - at first slightly appalled at ourselves before shelving the guilt and enjoying the $1.2m taxpayer-funded ride.

Has there been a better royal visit than the one that finishes today? That old fashioned term "triumph" for royal tours is deserved this time.

Royals taking part in the hongi, a traditional Maori greeting.

The Royals conclude their visit to New Zealand before heading to Australia.

Prince William will walk the grounds of the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua tomorrow, more than 33 years after his father opened the facility.

Prime Minister John Key's wife Bronagh has taken on a few royal-like duties herself as an ambassador for the Blind Foundation and passed on a Hairy Maclary 'touch and feel' book for Prince George while dining with the royal couple last night.

As the highly anticipated Royal Tour to NZ starts to wind down, we reflect on the pictures that document the Duke and Duchess' time here.

Traditions are a good thing, but some traditions are exclusionary and no longer serve our needs, writes Savage, from the Campaign for Kiwi Head of State.

Surrounded by empty lots and raw new buildings in Christchurch's partly rebuilt city centre, the Duchess of Cambridge's eyes welled with tears as she spoke.

While Kiwi designer Emilia Wickstead jogged around Auckland's Viaduct, her most famous client was getting ready to board a flight to the city.

The Duke and Duchess play cricket in Latimer Square, and former New Zealand stars Sir Richard Hadlee and Debbie Hockley spoke to the couple before the royals took up a bat and ball.

Time spent with families of CTV earthquake victims and a game of cricket with young enthusiasts were highlights of the final day of official activities on this royal tour.

It's been an action paced day for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Christchurch today. With Royal watchers camped out from the early hours hoping to meet the Duke and Duchess they all agreed it's was worth the effort.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were shown a video produced by Ian Taylor/Animation Research Ltd that shows the resilience and strength of the Christchurch people since the earthquake. The Royal couple are attending Christchurch's Redevelopment lunch at the Air Force Museum in Wigram. It includes the story of Aoraki, the Maori Legend of how the South Island was created, and the people who are passionate about their city and determined to make it something special.

Kate has shared some details of how little Prince George has found his trip to New Zealand - and how his mum is helping him stick to his routine.

The royals visited Forsyth Barr Stadium where 8000 people were gathered for the Regal Rugby Fun Day.Meanwhile, Prince William has finally had a win against wife Kate. The duke's little rippa team beat the duchess's 30-20. Not even the support of All Black great Richie McCaw could get them over the line.

Her dimpled smile, luxuriant locks and elegant outfits have drawn the widespread admiration of Kiwis this week.

It's usually Richie McCaw that everyone wants to know about in the moments after a big game or public appearance.

A diamond silver fern brooch gifted to the Queen more than 60 years ago was originally organised under a shroud of secrecy.

Day seven of the royal tour started with much excitement - news emerged that baby George might have a sibling on the way.

Prince William and Kate continue their royal visit in Christchurch. For all the latest news on the Royal visit check out our live blog. Follow Life & Style on Twitter and Facebook.

It wasn't quite "rugby, racing and beer", but the Royal couple got a real taste of New Zealand in the deep south today, with rugby, jet-boating and wine.

The Royal couple have been taken on a jetboat ride on the Shotover River, blasting by rocky outcrops, skimming around boulders, and speeding through narrow canyons.

Calm down and carry on - reports a second royal baby could be in the offing appear premature.

It was a handful of glass marbles that drew the attention of the most famous woman in the world to a star-struck Auckland boy.

Duchess of Cambridge visited Rainbow Place, her first solo outing on the royal tiki tour. Wonderful vegetables visible are candy carrots in flower pots to be eaten at an extravagantly laid out Mad Hatter-themed tea party at the Hamilton children's hospice. This is Catherine's first solo outing on the royal tiki tour and it's a cause close to her heart.

Did Prince William drop a hint that Prince George may soon have a brother or sister? The Royals have arrived in Dunedin continuing the Royal tour, but yesterday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Cynthia Read, who made the fine lace shawl that was New Zealand's gift to George on his birth, during their visit to the New Zealand town of Cambridge on Saturday. "You might have to make another one soon,'' William told her.