Prince Harry will travel the length of the country, landing in Wellington today before heading south to Stewart Island on Sunday and then making his way to Auckland via Christchurch and Wanganui.
On his travels, he will meet locals, rugby players, dignitaries and maybe even a kiwi.
Wellington will live up to its windy reputation by greeting the young prince with strong gusty northerlies and a high of 14degC - but the rain should stay away, according to MetService.
After a day of ceremonial events and meeting some Wellington fans, shaking some hands and maybe the odd cheeky kiss, the 30-year-old price will head to Westpac Stadium to watch a Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and Sharks.
Following the game, he will head to the changing rooms to meet the players.
Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith said the team had been informed of the protocols during the royal visit.
"Hopefully we treat him to a good game and there's some nice weather and a good crowd.
"I'm sure he'll be open to a bit of banter," he said.
Tomorrow will see the prince winging his way to Invercargill for a little over half an hour where he will meet the city's charismatic mayor Tim Shadbolt and Ngai Tahu before leaving for Stewart Island and then pest-free sanctuary Ulva Island.
Mr Shadbolt said that even though it would be a brief stop for the prince, it would help put Invercargill on the world stage.
"We're delighted of course that Prince Harry is coming to our fair city."
He expected large crowds of locals to turn up at the airport to welcome the prince.
"I think it's quite a stronghold down here of Royalist feeling and I think it will be a tremendous turnout."
There was a buzz in the city with lots of dresses being bought and hair salons booked out for the royal appearance, he said.
Department of Conservation ranger Cherie Hemsley will be on Ulva Island during the prince's hour-long visit and said the island was "buzzing" with excitement over the visit.
She hoped it would put the islands on the international map.
With luck the South Island saddleback, the Stewart Island robin and the Stewart Island brown kiwi could show themselves to their regal visitor.
That evening Prince Harry will attend a private service at St Andrews Anglican Church on Stewart Island.
Reverend Canon Richard Johnson said there would be a bi-cultural flavour to the service that included a poi chant.
"Myself and the congregation are delighted [the prince is coming]," he said.
He said he did not think he would be nervous giving the service. "Prince Harry comes across as a very down to earth person."
Children on the small island will also get to hang out with the charming royal when he visits the small Halfmoon Bay school.
Principal Kath Johnson said the 24 pupils will sing some songs before getting to grill him with questions of their own.
"They're very excited."
Itinerary
* May 9, Wellington
- 2.30pm: arrives in Wellington, where he will meet Prime Minister John Key, his wife Bronagh Key, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and her husband Alistair Nicholson
- 2.45pm: public drive via Evans Bay to Government House
- 3pm: Official welcome at Government House
- 4.30pm: wreath-laying at Pukeahu National War Memorial
- 7.30pm: Hurricanes vs Sharks game at Westpac Stadium
* May 10, Invercargill-Stewart Island
- 10.55am: lands at Invercargill, to be met by Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Ta Mark Solomon of Ngai Tahu
- 12pm: community event at Stewart Island's Community Centre, met by Southland District Mayor Gary Tong
- 2.30pm: visits Ulva Island
- 5pm: attends a private church service at St Andrews Anglican Church
* May 11, Stewart Island
- 9.30am: visits Halfmoon Bay School
- 10.45am: departs Stewart Island for private time.
* May 12, Christchurch
- 11am: arrives at Christchurch's RNZAF Air Movements Terminal
- 11.15am: arrives at New Regent Street where he meets Mr Key and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and rides a tram to Quake City, Cashel Street
- 11.35: will be met by Mayor Lianne Dalziel
- 12.20pm: public walkabout along Cashel Street in front of the Re:Start Mall
- 3pm: meets the Student Volunteer Army at Canterbury University
* May 13, Christchurch-Linton
- 9.15am: visits Odyssey House
- 10.15am: leaves Christchurch for Linton
- 11.35am: arrive at Linton Military Camp where he will train on an ATV, help lift a hangi, learn the army's haka, meet with the Royal NZ Nursing Corp and play a game of rugby with local school children
- 2.45pm: leaves Linton.
* May 14, Whanganui-Auckland
- 9.30am: arrive at Whanganui Airport and greeted by Mayor Annette Main
- 9.45am: Powhiri at Putiki Marae
- 11.15am: waka journey on the Whanganui River
- 1pm: meeting with veterans at the War Memorial Centre
- 2.30pm: Prince Harry will have a public walkabout in front of the War Memorial Centre
- 3pm: departs Whanganui for Auckland
- 4.20pm: lands at Whenuapai Airport and is met by Mayor Len Brown
* May 15, Auckland
- 9.25am: visit Southern Cross Campus School to attend Maori and Pasifika cultural performances and to meet student leaders
- 10.30am: visit the New Zealand Rugby Foundation at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit of Middlemore Hospital. He will be met by Sir Colin Meads, Tane Norton and Keven Mealamu
- 11.25am: will visit the Turn Your Life Around (TYLA) Trust in Mangere
- 4.30pm: official audiences with Mr Key and the Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Little, at Government House in Auckland.
- 5.30pm: reception hosted by the Governor General to recognise the emergency services at Government House
* May 16, Auckland
- 10.15am: visit FIFA U20 at The Cloud. Prince Harry will captain a team in a Five-A-Side game of football. Ivan Vicelich, Captain of Auckland City FC, will be referee. Afterwards Prince Harry will meet with FIFA U20 volunteers.
- 11.15am: Meet members of the public outside of The Cloud
- 11.50am: visit High Performance Sport New Zealand's National Training Centre based at AUT Millennium in Mairangi Bay
Where the public can see Prince Harry:
* May 9, Wellington
- 4.30pm Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National War Memorial. After the private Wreath Laying Ceremony in the Hall of Memories, Prince Harry will lay a fern on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and will then walk across ANZAC Square to the Australian War Memorial before departing.
* May 12, Christchurch
- 12.20pm: Public walkabout along Cashel Street in front of the Re:Start Mall.
* May 14, Whanganui
- 2.30pm: Public walkabout in front of the War Memorial Centre.
* May 16, Auckland
- 11.15am: Prince Harry will meet members of the public at The Cloud.
