Rotorua locals in a spin over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's baby news

A new royal baby is on the way and with the expectant parents touching down in Rotorua in a couple of weeks locals are "in a spin over the news".

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan announced yesterday they were expecting a baby in the autumn of 2019.

Kensington Palace said on Twitter the pair were delighted to announce their exciting news.

The couple is currently in Australia and will fly to New Zealand at the end of this month.

Rotorua mayor and former midwife Steve Chadwick said she was sorry Harry and Meghan weren't afforded the privacy of all expectant parents.

"The country is in a spin over the news.

"There won't be any changes envisaged and she will be in wise midwife hands during her time in Rotorua."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan announced yesterday they are expecting a baby in the Autumn of 2019. Photo / Gettys

She said the city, of course, shared its "aroha and manaakitanga" to them both.

Meghan is said to be in "good health" and the itinerary for the Rotorua trip, which includes a visit Te Papaiouru Marae, Rainbow Springs, meeting the public outside Rotorua's Government Gardens, the Redwoods Treewalk and meeting representatives of the local mountain biking community at Whakarewarewa is still on.

Rotorua deputy mayor Dave Donaldson said the fact they were having a baby was just lovely.

"It will work well with the experience we have set up for them in Rotorua.

"At the forest, we will be sharing the young families who are really getting into, and doing well in, the mountain biking scene."

Donaldson said it would be amazing to see the baby take its first mountain bike ride in the Rotorua forest one day.

"It would be very cool.

"Rotorua is a very family friendly mountain bike location."

He said that was what made Rotorua such a great destination for everything from school holiday family rides to the more extreme international events.

Monarchy New Zealand executive member and royal enthusiast Caleb Watson is making a trip home to Rotorua when the royals visit.

"I am very excited about the announcement, more so because their Royal Highnesses will be in New Zealand very soon.

"Although the child will not be on the Kiwi throne they are still a member of our royal family and I'm sure New Zealanders will take a keen interest."

Watson said it was a big week for royal news with the wedding of Princess Eugenie too.

Ngāti Whakaue kaumatua Monty Morrison said he was "absolutely excited" about the announcement.

"For us as Te Arawa it gives another reason to welcome them on a whole other level.

"It's an honour and we already had two reasons to smile, now there's a little bit more."

He said if he got the opportunity he may be "cheeky enough" to suggest a name for the baby.

"There are plenty of good Te Arawa names we could suggest."

Kuia Norma Sturley said they were so busy getting the protocol ready for the day it was hard to get too excited at the moment.

"We'll have a little think about what we can do, because this adds another dimension to the day.

"I know everything will work out."

Destination Rotorua chief executive Michelle Templer said it was wonderful news for the royal couple and very special for Rotorua to be so closely connected to this happy time for them.

"We know that the extensive range of family-friendly activities here is a big part of why people come back to Rotorua time and time again, so it would be the perfect place for the family to return to during a future tour."