Prince Harry has revealed the reasons behind his trip to Stewart Island and given school students an insight into everything from his favourite food and desire to have pets, to what he calls the Queen and his work as an Army helicopter pilot.
The prince told students during a visit to Halfmoon Bay School that they should count themselves lucky to live in a place where they "can see more than 100 yards without a big building".
"The intention was to visit every corner of New Zealand and meet as many people from as many different walks of life as possible," he said when asked why he wanted to visit Stewart Island.
"Seeing as you guys always get left out of visits I thought it would be quite nice to come and visit Stewart Island.
"There's no traffic, there's peace and quiet and beautiful sunrises."
He revealed his favourite food is spaghetti bolognaise and that he longs to own a dog or two, but that he's too busy to look after pets.
"Your family could look after it," one student suggested.
"They're also quite busy," Prince Harry laughed.
Students welcomed the prince with renditions of traditional Maori songs and other musical items, before having the opportunity to quiz him on a range of topics.
Students were starstruck by their royal guest.
"He was very funny," Zoe Learmonth, 8, said.
"My favourite thing was when he said he didn't have a crown or a castle, but that we had our paper crowns."
Kahu Moxham, 8, asked Prince Harry whether he saw a Kiwi on Ulva Island.
"He said no, but he really wants to see one," he said.
"[My favourite thing] was when he said maybe the helicopter pilots would take us on a trip one day."
The prince had earlier encouraged the students to write a letter to Prime Minister John Key asking for helicopter rides around Stewart Island.
About 23 students met the prince, who shook each of their hands as he left.
He was asked what he intended to give his newborn niece, Princess Charlotte, when he returns to the United Kingdom next week.
The students mentioned the gifts he had been asked to pass on by members of the public during his New Zealand tour and were keen to know what he would personally give her.
"Do you think it's OK to use one of those things and say I got it for her?" he asked, drawing laughter from the children.
The prince was notably impressed by the students' musical talents and told them never to give up on their dreams.
"Your band is going to be awesome, spread the word far and wide."
He said they would all turn out to be geniuses and they were privileged to attend a small school where their teachers could give them more attention.
"If I was in your position, that would be my favourite thing about Stewart Island."
School principal Kath Johnston said it was an amazing opportunity for the students.
"It must take a lot to be interested all the time — we're just so grateful for him coming to Stewart Island," she said.
"For them, that will be something they will remember forever."
Q&A WITH PRINCE HARRY
Q: What is your favourite thing about flying helicopters?
Prince Harry: You've got a moving office...there's only two of you in the office as well, no one else can bother you.
Q: Why is your grandad not the king when he's married to the Queen?
Prince Harry: That's a very good question.
Q: Do you live in a castle?
Prince Harry: Sadly not, I don't even have a crown. And you do. Lots of people ask that and they're pretty disappointed that there's no castle. The Queen has a castle which is pretty cool.
Q: What do you call your grandmother, the Queen?
Prince Harry: I call her Granny, but I refer to her as the Queen most of the time because I'm in the army and she's my boss.
Q: What are you going to get Princess Charlotte?
Prince Harry: Just a present. From here.
Student: For being born?
Prince Harry: What did you get when you were born?
Student: Well I got a snuggly to sleep with.
Prince Harry: Maybe I should give her one of those.
Q: What is your favourite food?
Prince Harry: Spaghetti bolognaise. Is that a good answer?
Q: Do you have any pets?
Prince Harry: I don't sadly, I long to have a dog or two. But I have no chance, too busy, always away from home so I can't look after them. I decided it was a better idea not to have one yet. I will eventually.
Student: But your family can look after them.
Prince Harry: They're also busy.
Student: You can get an axolotl (Mexican walking fish), you only have to feed them once a month.
Q: What's it like to be a king?
Prince Harry: I don't know, does anyone else?... It's probably quite a hard job.
Source: Southland Times and Australian Associated Press
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