Prince George to debut with Kiwi coffee group

William and Kate with Prince George, who will be 10 months old when he arrives here. Photo / AP

When Prince George takes part in his first official public engagement next month, he'll be oblivious to the planning that has gone into the milestone event.

The third in line to the throne is coming to New Zealand with his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, for a 10-day visit that kicks off on April 7, and two days into the trip they will appear at Government House in Wellington to take part in a Plunket "coffee group" - the baby prince's first official royal engagement.

Since the tour was announced, Plunket has been working hard to compile a list of families to attend its support group for Prince William and Kate Middleton - and top of the list is reflecting New Zealand's diversity, by including gay parents and a mix of ethnicities.

Plunket nurse Tina Syme, who will represent the society on the day, said it would be a wonderful experience for the royal couple to talk to other parents going through similar challenges of parenthood.

But to be one of the 10 Kiwi families taking part, strict rules were set.

First, they had to be existing "Plunket" babies, born last July so they were the same age as the 10-month-old prince. All parents would be vetted by police before they got the nod to attend, and they had to live in the Wellington area so they were within driving distance of Government House.

Plunket hopes to get a gender balance of five boys and five girls for the event.

The brief was to create an authentic experience for the royal couple so those chosen needed to be able to engage in conversation.

And for this to happen the royals were happily dispensing with protocol about speaking to royals.

The local parents also have to be happy to have their images broadcast the world over as the group will pose with Prince George and his parents for international media before the coffee group meeting, which takes place behind closed doors.

Plunket media manager Nikki Prendergast said the group would be finalised in coming days and participants would receive an official invitation from Government House.

Plunket will give the baby prince his own Plunket book and signature blue bear as a memento.

However, the best laid plains may be torn asunder.

"If he's unwell or grumpy or scratchy on the day we can't guarantee he'll be there," said Prendergast.