Hand in hand
Harry & Meghan’s Kiwi adventure
Aserious discussion about mental health, a quick trip across Cook Strait and even a tummy tickle wrapped up the second day of the royal tour. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began by meeting young people involved in the mental health sector.
Later they took a military helicopter to the Abel Tasman National Park and there was a tender moment during Prince Harry’s speech to locals when he acknowledged their baby as “our little bump”.
Maranui Cafe
Meeting at Wellington’s Maranui Cafe, the couple continued their efforts to normalise discussion of mental health.
Waiting for them were three tables of people from organisations such as Voices of Hope, Key to Life, Lifeline and the national 1737 helpline service.
Without ceremony or opening remarks, they joined the first table. Meghan ordered a cup of tea. Harry had water.
They spent about 10 minutes at each table. The Prince spoke of his own battles with mental health.
He drove the conversation, with his wife saying less. She did, however, express surprise when Voices of Hope co-founder Genevieve Mora said some in New Zealand considered people who asked for help to be attention-seeking.
Despite the seriousness of the subject, the room was filled with light and laughter; the Prince making more than reference to expansive views of the bay outside — and the dainty cakes on each table.
Prince Harry said there was no “silver bullet” to improving mental health “and I think people need to understand that.”
He spoke of the need to destigmatise the issue and to encourage people to talk about how they were feeling. “Everyone needs someone to turn to, right?”
Meeting the kids
Their interaction with some children who had waited patiently outside the cafe resulted in one of the sweetest moments of the day. Meghan walked down the line of youngsters from Houghton Valley School, shaking hands with each one. And when Prince Harry followed he tried to get a shy 5-year-old Joe Young to smile by giving him a little tummy tickle.
Before leaving the cafe, the Duchess asked staff at Maranui if some cakes and goodies could be brought out for the children.
Abel Tasman National Park
A trip across Cook Strait saw them learning about conservation projects and being welcomed to a beachside campsite with a traditional po¯whiri, the blowing of a conch shell and a long line of hongi.
The pair also went for a walk in the rain along the golden sands of the beach at Totaranui, talking with a Department of Conservation ranger, with Prince Harry holding an umbrella for his wife.
Inside a marquee set up on the grass, local kauma¯tua Barney Thomas spoke in te reo, wishing them “kia kaha” with their “pe¯pi”, Meghan smiling as this was translated.
After a waiata, Prince Harry addressed the group: “Thank you so much for having us today. The weather forecast was a lot worse than this and we are really fortunate to be here.
“The rain is a blessing and a re- minder of our connection to the land . . . From my wife, myself and our little bump, it’s a blessing to be here . . . we bring you greetings from my grandmother.”
Back in Wellington last night, Prince Harry and Meghan were also given a 45-minute tour of Courtenay Creative, a training and exhibition space for the film industry.
Kiwiana gifts
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday spoke of the “personal gifts” she gave the pair when she met them on Sunday night.
For the Prince she had Shapeshifter album The System is a Vampire and the Stars vinyl album. “[The System is a Vampire is] because it includes a track titled Dutchies, which is the song that the All Blacks enter on to the field with, including at Twickenham.”
The Duchess also got a slice of New Zealand to take home in the form of a set of Boh Runga crossed feather earrings.
In return, the Duchess presented her with a community cookbook, put together by those impacted by the Grenfell Tower fire last year.
Ardern said she had not had time to try any of the dishes yet but she was “worried about whether or not I can get them down to a milder level of spice”.