IT WAS the big question: Why Wanganui? Prince Harry's first ever visit to these shores will see him flit between Stewart Island and Auckland - and a couple of places in between, including Thursday's six-hour jaunt round the River City.
So why had Buckingham Palace looked our way?
Had his
uncle Prince Edward - a junior master at Wanganui Collegiate School in 1982 - put in a word?
Had Wanganui old boy and now Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae pulled a few strings?
The historic Treaty settlement for the Whanganui River appears to have been the clincher. So local iwi can take a bow. The prince expressed an interest in experiencing Maori culture and, given our unique river settlement, it was suggested Wanganui should be the place - an idea he "readily accepted", according to those organising his tour.
