Wellington - Britain's Prince Harry arrived in New Zealand Saturday to start a week-long visit amidst a national debate on whether the country should trim part of its colonial British ties by changing the flag.
The fifth in line to the British throne landed in Wellington after a month-long secondment to the Australian Army during which he received bush survival lessons and camped in the Outback.
He was officially welcomed at Government House by head of state Governor-General Jerry Mateparae, before paying his respects at the National War Memorial where he was met by more than 1,000 well-wishers.
Harry talked at length with school children at the official welcome, suggesting to some that if they ever wanted cake or cookies they should "just ring on the gate" at the Governor General's residence and they would be looked after.
He also feigned surprise that not all New Zealanders followed their national rugby team, the world champion All Blacks.
"I thought you would be forced to play rugby. That's why you have such a good rugby team isn't it?" the rugby-enthusiast prince said before admitting his family were mainly football followers and "most of the royal family are Arsenal fans".
One young girl gave Harry a card for his newly-born niece Princess Charlotte which he put in his suit pocket and promised to pass on to the newest member of the royal family when he returns to England.
The prince will end his first day in New Zealand attending a Super 15 rugby match between the home side and competition leaders Wellington Hurricanes and South Africa's Coastal Sharks.
AFP
