Cheers for Prince Harry as he greets Auckland crowd in Pacific languages

Tuesday, 30 October 2018

Prince Harry apologised to the crowd for his accent, but said he had to give the Pacific greetings a 'go'.

Prince Harry has wowed guests at a glitzy Auckland reception by opening his speech with a range of Pacific greetings.

Harry, the Duke of Sussex, attended the reception at Auckland War Memorial Museum with his wife, Meghan Markle, on Tuesday evening.

The Duke of Sussex praised Auckland's diversity and vibrancy.

It followed a day of activities, including gumboot-throwing, tree-planting, and a walkabout at Auckland's Viaduct.

His address was met with cheers as he greeted the crowd in Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Niuean, Cook Islands Māori and te reo Māori.

The royals did a short meet and greet following the speeches.

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'Prime Minister, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen,' he began, before pausing to chuckle to himself.

'Talofa lava, mālō e lelei, bula vinaka, fakaalofa lahi atu, kia orana, tēnā koutou katoa.

'This is definitely the first time I've spoken most of those languages, so I apologise if my accent wasn't any good, but I had to give it a go.'

The event was hosted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and attended mostly by young people, aged 17 to 25, who had made significant differences in their communities.

Prince Harry said it was 'wonderful to be at an event celebrating diversity in one of the world's most diverse cities'.

He praised Auckland as a 'multicultural melting pot by the sea', with a mix of people, cultures and languages.

'[That's] what gives the city its unique identity, its energy and vibrancy, its openness and welcoming spirit.'

Prince Harry thanked Ardern for hosting him and his wife and for showing them around New Zealand.

'It's been a place we've both visited separately, and it's been a joy to return here together to enjoy this stunning country.'

He also acknowledged the guests, telling them: 'Meghan and I have enormous respect for you. Your generation is quite literally energising the world. Don't ever stop fighting.'

After the speeches, the royals were treated to an energetic Pacific dance performance, which drew loud cheers and whoops from guests.

There was then a meet and greet between the royals, Ardern, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and a small group from Aotearoa Youth Leadership.

Auckland law clerk Joanna Ji posed a question about colonialism and how the monarchy was balancing its history with its relationship with indigenous New Zealanders.

'Initially [Prince Harry] seemed a bit evasive so I rephrased my question and I was satisfied with his answer,' the 21-year-old said.

'He made an analogy of his father being a big advocate for climate change when it wasn't conventional.

'He kept saying we need to keep being that voice and beating that drum.'

HARRY'S SPEECH IN FULL

Talofa lava (Samoan)

Mālō e lelei (Tongan)

Bula vinaka (Fijian)

Fakaalofa lahi atu (Niuean)

Kia orana (Cook Islands)

Tēnā koutou katoa (Maori)

This is definitely the first time I have spoken most of those languages, so I apologise if my accent wasn't any good, but I had to give it a go!

It's wonderful to be at an event celebrating diversity in one of the world's most diverse cities. We've heard Auckland described as a multicultural melting pot by the sea. Its mix of people, cultures and languages is what gives this city its unique identity – its energy and vibrancy, its openness and welcoming spirit.

Thank you again, Prime Minister, for hosting me and my wife on our first visit to New Zealand as a couple – it's a place we've both visited separately and it has been a joy to return here together to enjoy this stunning country.

We're meeting little kiwis, we're meeting big Kiwis, being treated to your fantastic food, culture and sporting activities – well, if you can call welly-wanging or gum-boot throwing a sport! Perhaps we should have a three-test series and see who comes out on top.

But tonight our focus is to acknowledge the outstanding young people here. For both of us, one of the most rewarding things about travelling though four Commonwealth countries these past few weeks, has been the opportunity to meet young leaders who are making a significant difference within their own communities.

In my role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, it is a privilege to champion so many exceptionally talented young leaders across all 53 countries; your voices are being heard, and each and every one of you is making this change happen. You should never doubt that. Because as I was reminded the other night, one of your own, Kate Sheppard once said, 'The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops'.

Despite the world you've inherited, your approach is groundbreaking and forward thinking, with an optimistic outlook that is inclusive of community, both people and nature, and conscious of the value of our mental fitness and how this is the key to the cure. You are arbiters of real change, and I must commend the Prime Minister in her approach and focus, in championing all of you.

It is incredibly inspiring to see you forging new paths, while staying rooted in your language, culture and heritage. Meghan and I have enormous respect for you, and I want to close by thanking you for all you are doing.

Your generation is quite literally energising the world and don't ever stop fighting for what you believe in.