Moment of the day: When Meghan beat Harry at gumboot throwing

Stormy weather didn't dampen spirits as the Duke and Duchess began the Auckland leg of their tour with a gumboot throw.

All seriousness of the Royal tour was literally thrown out the window on Tuesday morning as Prince Harry and Meghan partook in a gumboot-throwing contest.

The royal couple's competitive streak came to light as they joined children from Pinehill School for a round of "welly wanging".

Stormy weather didn't dampen spirits as the Duke and Duchess were pitted against each other to throw blue and red spotted gumboots as far as they could.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex participate in the sport of gumboot throwing during the Queens Canopy dedication at North Shore Riding Club. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Despite not having much practice at gumboot throwing in her previous life in California, the Duchess channelled a bit of Aussie cricket spirit by using an underarm technique.

It proved the winning one after she lobbed her boot about a metre farther than her husband, resulting in Meghan's team beating Prince Harry's and coming away with the trophy.

Ryen Anderson, 10, was on Meghan's team. She said Prince Harry told the group he would win next time the couple competed in the sport.

Isabella Iti said their Royal Highnesses "looked like they were really trying to throw the gumboot as far as they could".

"There wasn't too much of a rivalry. I think she was thinking that there was no chance that she would win. But she did," she said.