The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visit New Zealand
Published
Day four
Today Their Royal Highnesses continued their tour to New Zealand, visiting Christchurch where they met those affected by the mosque attacks earlier this year, as well as the earthquake in 2011. His Royal Highness also gave a keynote speech on the State of the Global Environment at Lincoln University.
The Prince and The Duchess first visited Tuahiwi Marae, a tribal meeting ground, where they received a traditional welcome.
Their Royal Highnesses then joined Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Cashmere High School, which was greatly affected by the March 2019 mosque attacks, with many people associated with the school killed, including two current students, and others injured.
Next, His Royal Highness attended a reception for the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust, of which he is now Patron.
During the 2011 Canterbury Earthquake, which killed 185 people, Christ Church Cathedral was severely damaged when its tower toppled onto the main building. The project to reinstate the building aims to provide a safer and more functional space.
During the afternoon, Her Royal Highness undertook a series of visits in Christchurch that connect with her work in supporting young people with reading and writing, as well as projects that help the older generation to age well.
First The Duchess met students who entered this years’ Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition and presented them with their Gold Awards before revealing the theme for the 2020 competition.
Her Royal Highness then visited a Salvation Army Centre and joined Senior Chef Members in the kitchen learning about the benefits of eating well whilst improving their cooking skills, confidence and motivation around cooking for just one or two people.
Finally, The Duchess watched performances from the Silver Swans, a programme facilitated by the Royal Academy of Dance to provide ballet lessons designed for the elderly, and the Rockers of Ages Choir, who performed a medley of Queen Songs.
Meanwhile The Prince delivered an address at Lincoln University, highlighting His Royal Highnesses’ observations about the State of the Global Environment.
During the address, His Royal Highness said: “We have, I am afraid, reached a defining moment in human history - a tipping point at which we still have the ability to change course - but really only in the next ten years – so a very small window, after which there may be no going back.”
Day three
On day three of the Royal visit to New Zealand, Their Royal Highnesses travelled to the Bay of Islands for a formal Māori at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
The Waitangi Treaty is regarded as New Zealand’s founding document, and enshrines the relationship between Māori and the Crown.
Following the welcome, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall met with guests from the Māori community during a reception and then toured the Treaty Grounds and the Waitangi Museum.
His Royal Highness then visited Queenstown Resort College Tai Tokerau, and met with young people who are developing environmentally sustainable start-ups through the Prince’s Trust New Zealand Enterprise programme.
Meanwhile, The Duchess visited Kerikeri Primary School and met children in the school’s garden participating in the Garden to Table programme, which encourages children to grow their own vegetables in the garden and then learn to make recipes in the kitchen from the food they have grown.
To end the day, The Prince visited the local fire station in Paihia and met with the Chief Fire Officer, firefighters and first responders, all of whom are volunteers.
Day two
On the second day of the Royal visit to New Zealand, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall received a traditional Māori welcome from members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force on the lawn of Government House.
Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short before The Prince went on to meet the Leader of the Opposition, Simon Bridges.
The Duchess joined a Domestic Violence Roundtable at Shine, together with survivors and national campaigners. Shine (Safer Homes in New Zealand Everyday) supports thousands of victims of domestic violence through a helpline, crisis advocacy and two women’s refuges in Auckland.
Later, Her Royal Highness, as President of the Southbank Centre’s Women of the World Festival (WOW), joined a series of discussions and roundtables at a Women Of The World Think-In hosted by the Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House.
Meanwhile, The Prince learnt about the work of Sea Cleaners, a group of volunteers who work to clear plastic from the coastal waters around New Zealand.
His Royal Highness boarded a vessel and joined the crew on a short ‘plastic patrol’ around the Harbour.
After attending a tea for The Prince’s Trust New Zealand, His Royal Highness went on to meet with representatives from Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities to discuss Sustainable Urbanization in the Auckland Area.
Their Royal Highnesses also visited the team headquarters of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron who will compete in the America’s Cup in early 2021.
Their Royal Highnesses ended the day at a reception hosted by the Governor-General at Government House.
Day one
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall began the Royal Visit to New Zealand today in Auckland after arriving in the country yesterday.
The Prince and The Duchess first paid their respects at a wreath laying ceremony at Mount Roskill War Memorial.
His Royal Highness laid a wreath to commemorate all those who fought and died in the New Zealand forces in WWI, and the Royal couple visited the Niue Memorial, which recognises 150 Niueans who lost their lives with the 3rd Māori Contingent during the war.
Next, Their Royal Highnesses toured the facilities at Wesley Community Centre and met local residents who use the centre.
The Prince and The Duchess met groups including participants of the Tatau Dance Academy, a programme that teaches traditional dance to boys and young men.
The Prince went then learnt about the work of Critical Design, a company that uses technology to turn plastic waste into material that can be used to manufacture other products.
Their Royal Highnesses reunited at Hunting Lodge Winery, the site of the first Sauvignon Blanc Grapes grown in New Zealand, where they sampled wines and learnt of the history of wine in the region.
The day’s engagements concluded with The Queen’s Colour Ceremony and reception at Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Whenuapai Airbase where His Royal Highness took the Royal Salute, inspected the Guard of Honour and as Marshal of the RNZAF, oversaw the consecration and presentation of the Colour.
The Prince followed in the footsteps of his mother, The Queen, who personally presented her Colour to the NZ Air Force at Whenuapai in 1953.
During a speech, The Prince of Wales said: “Over the decades since The Queen first gave you her Colour, you have upheld your proud traditions of service and duty, whilst continuing to adapt and to rise to the challenges of an ever-changing world.
“For my part, I need hardly say how proud I am of all of you, and just how much I value this bond with you - today and for the future.”
Day one
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall began the Royal Visit to New Zealand today in Auckland after arriving in the country yesterday.
The Prince and The Duchess first paid their respects at a wreath laying ceremony at Mount Roskill War Memorial.
His Royal Highness laid a wreath to commemorate all those who fought and died in the New Zealand forces in WWI, and the Royal couple visited the Niue Memorial, which recognises 150 Niueans who lost their lives with the 3rd Māori Contingent during the war.
Next, Their Royal Highnesses toured the facilities at Wesley Community Centre and met local residents who use the centre.
The Prince and The Duchess met groups including participants of the Tatau Dance Academy, a programme that teaches traditional dance to boys and young men.
The Prince went then learnt about the work of Critical Design, a company that uses technology to turn plastic waste into material that can be used to manufacture other products.
Their Royal Highnesses reunited at Hunting Lodge Winery, the site of the first Sauvignon Blanc Grapes grown in New Zealand, where they sampled wines and learnt of the history of wine in the region.
The day’s engagements concluded with The Queen’s Colour Ceremony and reception at Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Whenuapai Airbase where His Royal Highness took the Royal Salute, inspected the Guard of Honour and as Marshal of the RNZAF, oversaw the consecration and presentation of the Colour.
The Prince followed in the footsteps of his mother, The Queen, who personally presented her Colour to the NZ Air Force at Whenuapai in 1953.
During a speech, The Prince of Wales said: “Over the decades since The Queen first gave you her Colour, you have upheld your proud traditions of service and duty, whilst continuing to adapt and to rise to the challenges of an ever-changing world.
“For my part, I need hardly say how proud I am of all of you, and just how much I value this bond with you - today and for the future.”
