Prince Harry arrives to heavy rain at Wanaka Airport. Photo / Lucy Ibbotson
Prince Harry has arrived in a very wet Wanaka for some private time, after leaving Stewart Island this morning.
Heavy rain greeted the Prince, who arrive at the Wanaka Airport just before midday. A small crowd had gathered to watch him run from the helicopter to a van, before he was whisked away to an unknown destination.
Prince Harry is understood to be staying over night in the Wanaka area, before flying to Christchurch in the morning, to continue his tour of the country.
The 30-year-old prince spent this morning on Stewart Island at Halfmoon Bay School, which has just two teachers and 24 students.
#PrinceHarry meets some of the local school children at Halfmoon Bay School #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/vZiFUF7Kvj
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 10, 2015
There he got the chance to see how the students, aged between five and 13, make the most of video and online technology to enhance their learning from their remote location.
The special royal guest sat in on a beginners German class, which was being taught by Stephanie Michel from her home in the Taranaki.
Along with the four Halfmoon Bay School students, Prince Harry also got to interact with children at schools in Taranaki and Auckland.
"Sorry I don't speak German, but good morning," he told them all.
Ms Michel asked the prince how she and the students should address him.
"Just Harry is fine, Harry with a German accent."
#PrinceHarry observes a German class taught via Skype #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/FQ6n7muGyK
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 10, 2015
He was then put on the spot when Ms Michel asked if he could speak any other languages.
"I learned French at school, but I've forgotten most of it I'm sorry," Prince Harry said.
"I would love to learn Spanish, but my headmaster told me not to bother. I wish I could speak German."
Prince Harry takes part in a virtual learning German lesson at Halfmoon Bay School #StewartIsland #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/ux7lOixzuo
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 10, 2015
Prince Harry then asked the children at the other schools whether they had visited Stewart Island before.
None of them had. "It sounds like a geography field trip to me," he suggested.
Once Prince Harry was done with his German lesson, he was taken into another classroom where pupils performed a waiata to welcome him to the school.
Some of them were wearing colourful, glittery crowns they had made especially for the occasion.
Halfmoon Bay children perform a number of songs for #PrinceHarry. #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/UrsaYxI5Cz
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 10, 2015
Two students welcomed Prince Harry to the school and a nervous-looking year one pupil read a story he had written about making poppies for the school's Anzac display.
Prince Harry then presented a winner's hoodie to Tyler Dawson, 8, who won his age group in the 100m sprint at the Southland Athletics Championships.
#PrinceHarry interacting with the children of Halfmoon Bay School. #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/DsyXf3buBn
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 10, 2015
It was then the Halfmoon Bay students' chance to grill Prince Harry about what he does.
One student asked what his favourite thing about flying helicopters is.
"You have a moving office... There's only two of you in the office and no one else can bother you."
Another asked whether he lives in a castle.
Prince Harry disappointed the students, saying he doesn't live in a castle and he doesn't even have a crown.
Another wanted to know what he calls the Queen.
"I call her Granny, but I refer to her as the Queen because I'm in the army and she's my boss."
One little girl wanted to know the prince's favourite food.
"Spaghetti Bolognese. Is that a good answer?"
He was also quizzed about his favourite parts of his trip to Stewart Island and why he decided to make the trip.
"You guys are very very lucky to live in a place like this," Prince Harry told them.
"Make the most of it guys, suck in the fresh air."
The conversation turned to helicopters and the prince suggested the students write to Prime Minister John Key and ask if they could all go for a helicopter ride around Stewart Island.
The school's band then performed The Exponents' classic song, Why Does Love Do This To Me.
Prince Harry gave the students a warm round of applause after they performed another song, Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire.
He was then presented with a Halfmoon Bay School calendar and cookbook.
Prince Harry told the band they were "going to be awesome" and to keep practising.
Crown making lessons at school. pic.twitter.com/6xo3yh8EFR
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 10, 2015
He finished up the visit posing for photos with the whole school.
The children yelled "bye" to the prince as he left.
Thank you Halfmoon Bay for a fun and enjoyable visit. #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/ci98TgE6KZ
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 10, 2015
Prince Harry charmed locals on Stewart Island with his friendly, "down to earth" attitude.
Last night, he attended a pub quiz at the South Sea Hotel, where his team - The Ginger Ninjas - came second, pipped for first by his own bodyguards.
Stewart Island Backpackers owner Vicki Coats, quiz mistress for the night, treated the Prince to some choice expletives and enough blasphemous outbursts to rock St Andrew's Anglican Church just up the hill, where the Prince had worshipped earlier in the night.
"The Stewart Island quiz is the Stewart Island quiz - it doesn't matter who comes," Ms Coats said.
She said she chatted with Harry a couple of times over the evening and he told her he was enjoying New Zealand, although his full schedule meant he was a bit tired."
"He's lovely, he's just a really nice, down to earth, lovely guy," Ms Coats said.
"Just normal, no pretension."
Yesterday was the second day of Harry's NZ visit, and he charmed his way into the hearts of many southerners.
Earlier in the day, he first visited Invercargill, where at the museum he met his namesake Henry, a tuatara more than 110 years old.
After flying to Stewart Island, he went straight to the community centre. About 80 members of community groups were inside to meet him, and 100 others were outside to catch a glimpse. The groups accounted for roughly half the island's population.
There, he tried his hand at shucking oysters, and handed one to an admirer to taste.
Saturday, May 9: Wellington
• Arriving in New Zealand, greeted by Governor-General at Government House.
• Visiting the National War Memorial and Anzac Square.
• Attending Hurricanes vs Sharks Super 15 rugby match, Westpac Stadium.
May 10-11: Stewart Island
• Meeting locals and travelling to Ulva Island, a Department of Conservation open island sanctuary.
Today's Itinerary
• 9.30am: Prince Harry visits Halfmoon Bay School on Stewart Island.
• 10.45am: Prince Harry departs Stewart Island for private time.
May 12: Christchurch
• Visiting the Quake City exhibition, mall, and meeting student volunteers from Canterbury University.
May 13: Palmerston North
• Visiting Linton Military Camp. He is to be taught the Army's haka.
• Visit to Odyssey House in Burnside.
May 14: Wanganui
• Powhiri at Putiki Marae followed by a waka experience.
• Meeting with veterans and a walkabout.
May 15: Auckland
• Visit to Southern Cross Campus School where he will view a cultural performance and meet with students.
• Visit to spinal rehabilitation unit.
• Visit to Turn your Life Around.
• Visit to Government House. There will be an evening reception to recognise emergency services.
May 16: Auckland
• FIFA U20 event, followed by a walkabout at The Cloud.
• Visit to High Performance Sport New Zealand at Mairangi Bay.
Telegraph: The science behind road trip fatigue and how to combat it.