Prince Harry is about to touch down in New Zealand for the first time.
The 30-year-old prince is scheduled to land in Wellington this afternoon, kicking off a week-long visit that will take him as far south as Stewart Island and as far north as Auckland.
Prince Harry will be in New Zealand at the invitation of Prime Minister John Key and the Government.
"I am delighted Prince Harry is visiting New Zealand," said Key. "The Prince has asked to meet a wide range of New Zealanders so his programme has been designed with that in mind."
"I'm confident Prince Harry will have a fabulous time here and I encourage all New Zealanders to take the opportunity to go and see him," said Key.
When he gets off his plane, Prince Harry will be met on the tarmac by Key and his wife Bronagh, and Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.
He'll then be driven around the bays to Government House, where he will receive a traditional Maori welcome and meet Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
Wellingtonians hoping to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry will get their best chance when he lays a wreath at the National War Memorial.
That's scheduled to take place around 4.30pm.
After a private ceremony in the Hall of Memories, Prince Harry will lay a fern on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, before walking across Anzac Square to the Australian War Memorial.
Later on, Prince Harry will head to Westpac Stadium for the Super 15 game between the Hurricanes and the Sharks. He will be seated in a VIP box.
Big crowds are expected at the prince's public appearances in the capital and the weather looks to be playing ball, with a fine day forecast.
That compares to the wet and windy welcome his brother and sister-in-law, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, got in April last year.
Prince Harry won't be spending all weekend in Wellington though, flying south to Invercargill tomorrow morning, before heading across to Stewart Island.
His first New Zealand tour will also take in Christchurch, Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, Whanganui and Auckland.
Prince Harry has been in Australia, where he's just finished a secondment with the Australian Defence Force.
After his New Zealand visit, Prince Harry will head home to the United Kingdom, where he'll finally get to meet his new niece, Princess Charlotte.
ROYAL VISIT ITINERARY
Saturday 9 May - Wellington
2.30pm - Prince Harry arrives at the Wellington Airport military terminal, where he is met by the Prime Minister and his wife, and the Mayor of Wellington.
2.40pm - Prince Harry is driven around Evans Bay and then Oriental Bay to Government House.
3.00pm - Prince Harry is officially welcomed at Government House with a traditional Maori welcome. He will meet the Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, and other dignitaries and MPs at the private reception.
4.30pm - Prince Harry attends a private ceremony within the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, before laying a fern on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. He will also walk across Anzac Square and lay a wreath on the Australian War Memorial.
7.30pm - Prince Harry attends the Hurricanes vs Sharks Super 15 Rugby game at Westpac Stadium, seated in a VIP box.
Sunday 10 May - Invercargill and Stewart Island
10.55am - Prince Harry arrives at Invercargill Airport, where he is met by the Mayor of Invercargill, Tim Shadbolt, and Ngai Tahu representative Mark Solomon.
12.00pm - Prince Harry visits the Stewart Island Community Centre, where he will meet the local community.
Afternoon - Prince Harry will take a trip to Ulva Island, a predator-free island.
5.00pm - Prince Harry attends a private church service at St Andrew's Anglican Church.
Monday 11 May - Stewart Island
9.30am - Prince Harry visits Halfmoon Bay School.
Tuesday 12 May - Christchurch
11.15am - Prince Harry meets the Prime Minister in Christchurch at Regent Street, where they will take a tram ride to Cashel Street.
11.35am - Prince Harry and the Prime Minister visit the Quake City exhibition.
12.15pm - Prince Harry and the Prime Minister take a public walkabout along Cashel Street and the Re:Start Mall.
3.00pm - Prince Harry meets members of the Student Volunteer Army at the University of Canterbury.
Wednesday 13 May - Christchurch and Linton Military Camp
9.15am - Prince Harry visits Odyssey House, a drug and alcohol therapeutic centre in Christchurch.
Morning - Prince Harry arrives at Linton Military Camp.
Morning/Afternoon - Prince Harry meets defence force personnel, learns the army haka and helps lift a hangi during his visit to Linton Military Camp.
Thursday 14 May - Whanganui
9.30am - Prince Harry arrives at Whanganui Airport, where he is met by Mayor of Whanganui, Annette Main.
9.45am - Prince Harry visits Putiki Marae, where he is welcomed by a powhiri onto the marae.
11.15am - Prince Harry joins the crew of the Marae's waka for a trip on the Whanganui River.
1.00pm - Prince Harry meets with veterans and looks at historic exhibits.
2.30pm - Prince Harry meets the locals of Whanganui outside the War Memorial Centre.
Friday 15 May - Auckland
9.25am - Prince Harry visits Southern Cross Campus School where he will meet the students and they will give cultural performances.
10.30am - Prince Harry visits Middlemore Hospital's Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, which is supported by the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and TYLA (Turn Your Life Around).
Evening - Prince Harry holds a reception with emergency services at Government House, Auckland.
Saturday 16 May - Auckland
10.15am - Prince Harry takes part in a FIFA Under 20 World Cup event at The Cloud, kicking around a soccer ball with FIFA under 20 players and school students.
11.15am - Prince Harry meets the public at the entrance of The Cloud.
11.50am - Prince Harry visits the AUT Millennium Institute of Sport.
Evening - Prince Harry departs Auckland Airport.
Source: NZ Newswire and Stuff.co.nz
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