19.01.2010 9:09am by Chris
On Monday afternoon, the Prince visited Kapiti Island, where he was greeted by sunshine and birdsong as well as rogue weka and takahe.
The prince - accompanied by Prime Minister John Key, local MP Nathan Guy and Kate Wilkinson - arrived around 3.30pm, and representatives of local iwi Ngati Toa Rangatira welcomed him with a mihi.
Wearing a blue sweater, khakis and sneakers, the prince heard a history of the island once home to famous Maori chief Te Rauparaha. 
The royal then got the chance to hold a spotted kiwi - one of over 1200 on the island, according to DOC ranger David Wrightson.
The prince showed his good nature, joking with persistent photographers who yelled requests, even calling some of them by name. Holding the moulting kiwi, he declared "This is my date with a kiwi".
He posed for photographs with local college students selected to help welcome him before heading off on his private guided tour of the island. 
Wellington's much-maligned weather took pity on the prince, turning on a blue sky and relatively flat sea for his trip to the island.
Two boat-loads of officials and press representatives were ferried over to the island, around 5km off the Kapiti Coast. Around 100 locals turned out to see the prince.
Article Curtsey of the Dominion Post. Click here to read in full.
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