Prince William due for some Kiwi kai

Prince William is due to arrive in New Zealand - on his first official visit - on Sunday (17.01.10), and there’s a mini-feast of Kiwi food and culture in store for him.

The programme for the two-day royal visit includes a double-dose of Kiwi kai - a traditional Maori hangi and a barbecue - sailing, rugby and some official duties.

It will be the first time that the 27-year-old prince has officially represented Queen Elizabeth in New Zealand.

Auckland visit
New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand and Prime Minister John Key will be at Auckland airport to welcome the prince on Sunday morning.

Prince William will visit Auckland’s famed Eden Park rugby grounds. The prince will see major redevelopment work that is underway at the park, and be briefed on plans for the Rugby World Cup which New Zealand is preparing to host in 2011.

He will also go sailing on the Waitemata harbour on the America's Cup yacht NZL40. Auckland - popularly titled ‘city of sails’ - was the host city for the America’s Cup challenges in 1995 and 2000.

On Sunday evening, Prince William will be guest of honour at a hangi - traditional Maori feast - at Government House Auckland. The historic house is the Auckland residence of the Governor General.

A traditional hangi is cooked over hot stones and beneath the ground. It is likely to feature New Zealand lamb, and indigenous vegetables such as the purple Maori potato and kumara or sweet potato.

Wellington visit
Prince William will fly to Wellington on Monday (18.01.10), where he will represent the Queen at the opening of the new Supreme Court building.

Members of the public will have a chance to see Prince William when he does a walkabout in capital city streets after the Supreme Court opening.

Other Wellington activities include laying a wreath at New Zealand’s National War Memorial, and a visit to Wellington Children's Hospital.

On Monday night, the Prime Minister will host a barbecue at Premier House - the official Wellington residence of the New Zealand prime minister.

Mr Key said he was looking forward to hosting the barbecue for Prince William.
Royal Facebook page

The Queen - along with other royal watchers - will be able to keep a close eye on her grandson's tour of New Zealand through his new Facebook page.

Prince William’s Facebook page carries information about his New Zealand itinerary, and background material on New Zealand.

Prince William will leave for Australia on Tuesday, 19 January.