A scruffy storybook dog could become the catalyst for a royal visit to Tauranga later this year by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince Charles' wife Camilla has named the Kiwi children's classic Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy as one of her favourite books, sparking hopes that the duchess might be persuaded to come to Tauranga to meet the dame - Hairy Maclary's creator Dame Lynley Dodd.
Creative Tauranga CEO Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell is promoting the idea for November's royal visit to include Tauranga. The tour is part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The duchess is the patron of Booktrust, a charity established to promote the benefits of reading aloud to children by their parents and grandparents. She pledged to share the book with others to help celebrate the trust's 20th anniversary.
In a message on Booktrust's website, the duchess said: "As a grandmother myself, one of my favourite books for younger children is 'Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy' by Lynley Dodd.
"I read it to my grandchildren whenever I can, as we all love the rhyming descriptions of the hilarious adventures of this naughty little terrier and his gang of canine friends."
Ms Rudduck-Gudsell said she would love to see Tauranga included on the itinerary for the royal couple. The itinerary will be considered by a special team of Government officials due to be set up in the next week or so.
She said the royal visit would also be an opportunity for Prince Charles and Camilla to learn about the $800,000 project for a sculptural installation featuring Hairy Maclary and his pals on Tauranga's downtown waterfront.
"It would be a huge boost for the fundraising campaign ... who better to endorse it than the Duchess of Cornwall."
Ms Rudduck-Gudsell was optimistic Dame Lynley and her world famous creation would prove an irresistible lure for tour organisers and the royal couple.
It would also make a great story for the international media contingent following the royals and help promote something close to the heart of the duchess.
Bay of Plenty Times inquiries yesterday around senior Government circles also indicated that Dame Lynley and Hairy Maclary could be a "warm connection" and a "hook" for the visit.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges said it would be a fantastic win-win for Tauranga, Dame Lynley and the duchess' passion for books.
Tauranga would have a very strong claim if the sculptural installation was ready to be opened.
"Short of that, it is certainly worth giving it a go."
Mayor Stuart Crosby will back the initiative, saying the last time Prince Charles visited Tauranga was with Princess Diana in 1982 for the opening of Baycourt. He said it would be an honour for Tauranga to be part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.