Royal visit, day three: Prince Charles and Camilla visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Wednesday, 20 November 2019

Day three of Prince Charles and Camilla's tour of New Zealand

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and become the first royals to do so in 25 years.

Prince Charles acknowledged historical grievances during a speech to about 500 people at the grounds' Whare Rūnanga in Northland on Wednesday, as part of a week long tour of Auckland, Northland, Kaikōura and Christchurch.

Their Royal Highnesses emerge from the Treaty House at Waitangi.

Greeting the crowd in Māori, he said it was his and Camilla's pleasure to join them in the 'place of significance', acknowledging those who met, debated, challenged and made new commitments in the grounds.

He recalled his first visit to the grounds about 40 years ago. He was glad his wife was able to visit this time and expressed how thankful she was to visit 'this remarkable place'.

Prince Charles and Camilla were welcomed to the Waitangi Treaty grounds with a pōwhiri, where they were given three wero (challenges).

Prince Charles said courage, passion and tolerance were well-known traits of new Zealand.

The royal couple were given a tour around the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, including a look at the waka.

* Royal tour in pictures: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visit Bay of Islands

The Royals watch as Māori students perform a waiata.

* Royal visit, day two: Prince Charles gifted native trees by PM, greets the public**

He noted New Zealand's steps to settle historical grievances under the Treaty of Waitangi and reaffirmed his, his children and grandchildren's commitment to the treaty agreement.

'For as long as I've known this country and her people, I have been deeply struck by the commitment of New Zealanders to do what is right, even when it is not easy.'

'She has done so with courage, passion and tolerance,' which he said were well known traits of New Zealand.

He also helped plant a pōhutukawa tree. The Queen also planted a tree on the grounds during her 1953 visit to New Zealand.

At the Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi, the royals were invited to wash their hands, spritz their heads and touch a piece of pounamu (greenstone).

To mark the end of the tour, The Waitangi National Trust presented them with a tewhatewha (fighting staff) as a taonga representing the bonding of Māori and the Crown.

It was carved with a human at the top (tikotiko); one side with a Māori figure and the other a Pakeha. The tewhatewha was embellished with paua, pounamu and feathers.

Prince Charles was amazed that the taonga had been carved by hand.

Later, he visited Paihia's Queenstown Resort College's Tai Tokerau campus and spoke with 16 students about their career aspirations.

Meanwhile, Camilla did some gardening with pupils at Kerikeri Primary School and made an impromptu stop at Makana Confections, a boutique chocolate factory where she enjoyed some mango sorbet gelato and bought some chocolate dipped macadamia shortbread.

The royals will be taking a break from public engagements on Thursday before heading to Kaikōura and Christchurch later in the week.