Prince Harry Visits Auckland

On the second last day of his trip to New Zealand, Prince Harry was in Auckland where he spent the day meeting with injured rugby players, school children, members of the country’s emergency services and political leaders.

First it was a stop at the Southern Cross Campus school, where the Prince was treated to a number of cultural performances (including ones from Tonga and the Cook Islands) before presenting certificates to students during their assembly. Upon his arrival, he was presented with a traditional lei of orchids.

It was then on to the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit at Middlemore Hospital to see their rehab facilities and meet with patients and others who have used the centre in the past. Several All Black rugby players were there to meet with the Prince, as the centre provides treatment to people who have been injured playing the sport. Harry made his way around the centre, offering words of encouragement and a chat as the patients went about their rehabilitation routines.

The Prince’s attention was spiked by patients who paint by holding the paintbrush in their mouth. “That’s really amazing, how the hell did you paint that? How long did this take you?” Harry asked them all as he walked around the room. He was given a watercolour painting of himself standing next to an Apache helicopter by Grant Sherman, who has been wheelchair bound since 1977.

Harry then paid a visit to the Turn Your Life Around Trust, which helps at-risk youth in the area. As a volunteer painted his hand purple so he could add his handprint to their handprint wall, a cheeky grin appeared on Harry’s face before he quickly walked over and playfully planted a purple hand on top of veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards’ head. Harry also played pool and foosball and spent time doing other activities with the kids who use the Trust’s services.

Before heading to a reception at Government House hosted by Governor-General Jerry Mateparae honouring emergency service workers, the Prince had audiences with Prime Minister John Key, who has accompanied Harry on several events during his visit, and the leader of the opposition, Andrew Little.

Prince Harry later said he was “delighted [to have] finally made it” to New Zealand.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Children, Governor-General Mateparae of New Zealand, Hospital, New Zealand, Official Visit, Prince Harry of Wales, Sport.