BEACH BBQS & BUSH WALKS
Harry & Meghan’s Kiwi-as visit
A beach barbecue with school kids, a twilight walk through treetops and a stop at Wellington’s beachside Maranui Cafe — perhaps with a serving of Queen Sally’s vegan goodness bowl — it’s all on the royal to-do list of New Zealand.
In three weeks Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will be welcomed at Government House for a five-day visit.
Their itinerary mixes formal duties with matters close to their hearts.
Both proud conservationists, the couple will visit the Abel Tasman National Park and wander among native flora and fauna at the celebrated Redwoods Treewalk in Rotorua. Co-founder Bruce Thomasen said he is “absolutely thrilled” Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will be stopping by.
“We understand that the Duke and Duchess have a special interest in conservation and the Treewalk provides a truly unique perspective of the Whakarewarewa Forest and its flora and fauna,” Thomasen said.
“It also showcases the sort of design and innovation that New Zealand has become known for through its David Trubridge features”.
The forest walk, which can happen during the day or at night by fairylight, was named in the New York Times’ Top 52 Places to Visit list.
Thomasen said hosting the royal couple was a huge privilege.
“The royal visit will put Rotorua and New Zealand on a global stage and we are truly proud to play a small part in their itinerary.”
For the Duchess, who as a child lobbied a dishwashing soap manufacturer to change its sexist TV commercial, there will be a reception celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.
While the couple are here, there are plans to explore our windswept capital before stopping at the eclectic beachside Maranui Cafe to meet young people from mental health projects in New Zealand.
Maranui Cafe co-owner Bronwyn Kelly said she was “pretty stoked” about the visit that she’s had to keep secret for the past couple of weeks.
Kelly said it was “a cool thing to do for the couple”, given its prime location on the waterfront at Lyall Bay.
“Hopefully it’s not too windy,” she laughed.
Pillar’s founder and chief executive Verna McFelin said she was “absolutely thrilled” about the pair’s visit.
They would hand out four awards to children who excelled in sport and education which had been funded by the Government’s donation of $5000 as New Zealand’s wedding gift to the couple.
“They will meet our families and wha¯nau . . . and also meet the mentors.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: “The Duke and Duchess will be travelling to New Zealand with a number of our Invictus athletes on the same plane and I look forward to meeting them when they land.”
There was a very strong focus on young people in New Zealand with reception guests mostly young people who were making “significant” contributions to the wellbeing of their communities, Ardern said.
“The Duke and Duchess have a particular interest in youth, mental health and conservation, and they will have the opportunity to meet many New Zealanders working in those important areas, while also getting to enjoy some of our unique environment.”