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BBC MUNDO RADIO
By Oliver Pickup
Last updated at 7:30 PM on 17th March 2011
- Prince laughs and jokes with earthquake workers 'boosting morale'
- 28-year-old went on to visit site of Pike River mine disaster
It looks like Prince William has taken his job of rubbing noses with the people that little bit further.
The second in line to the throne received a Hongi - a traditional Maori greeting - from tribal elders as he arrived in Christchurch as part of his tour of Australasia.
The visit was aimed at raising the spirits of survivors of the devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake which killed more than 200 people on February 22.
Scroll down to see a video report of William's visit to New Zealand
Big hello: William receives a traditional Maori welcome - a Hongi, where two people rub noses when they meet
Maori hello: The royal receives a Hongi, a Maori greeting, from a tribal leader before meeting with officials of the Pike River company in Greymouth
New Zealand prime minister John Key said after the earthquake that 'we may be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day'. The 28-year-old Prince, due to marry Kate Middleton next month, did his best to brighten spirits.
The Prince met with rescue workers and visited the badly damaged centre of Christchurch on his first stop of a tour of disaster-stricken areas in New Zealand and Australia.
Clearly shocked and taken aback by the scenes in Christchurch, the Prince still managed to boost morale with rescue workers, laughing and joking with them while thanking them for their efforts.
William, who works as a helicopter search and rescue pilot himself, told them: 'There were a lot of us who work in the military who were gnashing our teeth to come out here.'
William is travelling on behalf of the Queen on his second official trip to the country.
The Prince, who made the trip without fiancée Kate, will attend a memorial service in the city, then will travel to Australia to visit Queensland and Victoria, which were both hit by severe flooding in January.
Devastation: New Zealand's second-city was hit at the end of February and the final death toll could reach 220
Crumbled: Christchurch's Catholic Cathedral is shown after the earthquake which was so horrific it led to prime minister John Key calling it the 'darkest day' in the county's history
The trip comes as St James's Palace announced that a charitable gift fund set up by the royal couple for well-wishers who want to send them a wedding present will include New Zealand's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
The Prince last visited New Zealand in January 2010, on his first official overseas visit on behalf of the Queen.
The royal heard personal stories, meeting national USAR manager Steve Barclay, who had been told his house is condemned.
Looking clearly sympathetic, William said: 'I'm so sorry, that's very sad.'
He also met USAR Logistics Manager Shane O'Brien and his seven-year-old twin daughters Lilah and Verity.
Showing his usual ease with the public, including children, he asked the girls: 'Who are these lovely young girls? Are you looking after your dad?'
Royal visit: William waves to the crowd as he arrives at an art gallery in Christchurch
The Prince had a clear rapport with search and rescue teams, laughing and joking with them.
He posed for a picture with the USAR workers - when they handed him one of their caps, he joked: 'Smells a bit dodge.'
USAR Technician Martin Sparrow, 44, from Wellington, said the visit had boosted morale: 'It shows that what has happened here is in the eye of the world and people are able to take notice.
'I heard that for the upcoming wedding they have included us in their charities and that shows a side of compassion.'
William also met members of the local media, who told their own tales of the day the quake hit.
Keith Lynch, a reporter from The Press newspaper, said: 'I wanted to talk to him about The Press building and what happened there,' he said. 'One person died.
'He asked me how I got out and I said I wasn't there. I said I was around the corner.
'He asked me how the staff got out, I said they ran down the stairs. He said, "I'm very sorry for your colleagues".'
Supportive: William pats a little girl on the head and offers words of kindness following the quake
Morale booster: The Prince laughed and joked with rescuers who had starred when the 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch
The Prince also met TV One cameraman James Marshall, who described how he was caught up in the quake but still had time to grab his camera and start filming.
William joked: 'Course you did, you journalists are all the same. You all film first.'
On a visit to the city fire station, William met firemen including Paul Rodwell and Terry Gyde who told the royal how they saved a Japanese student from the King's Education Language School in the city's CTV building.
Mr Gyde, 50, from Christchurch, said: 'She was trapped by her foot and it took us about an hour, hour-and-a-half to get her out.
'It got to the point where the doctor came inside with us and we were going to amputate her foot.
'We went through the process of preparing her and we gave it one last go and managed to free her.
'He was pretty awe-inspired I think, it was quite surreal to be there and for anyone listening to it it becomes a bit overwhelming at times.'
Happy picture: Prince William poses with the Portaloo Department group during a visit to the Emergency Command Centre
On the mend: Workers point out the extent of the damage, and show how repairs are well under way
He added: 'We are from the Commonwealth and Commonwealth countries always stick together.
'We look up to royalty and to have the future King of England come here and recognise us for some of the things we did is quite gratifying.'
William was presented with a cap, as well as a wooden plaque which read: 'Presented by Transalpine Fire Region to HRH Prince William. March 17, 2011. New Zealand Fire Service.'
He also signed a helmet at the station, writing: 'City station, good luck, William'.
After Christchurch, William travelled to Greymouth to meet families of the 29 victims of the Pike River mine disaster.
His visit was delayed due to bad weather, but the royal met the families and Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn.
He will return to Christchurch tomorrow for a memorial service in the city.
The Prince will also meet international best-selling classical singer Hayley Westenra, who will perform Amazing Grace and the National Anthem at a memorial service on Friday.
New-Zealand native Hayley will play a free concert for the city in Christchurch and is also organising a bigger fundraising gig to be held in Auckland in August to raise money.
Warming: William, talking to men at the Emergency Command Centre, expressed shock at the devastation in earthquake-hit Christchurch after walking amid the rubble
Explore more:
- People:
- Kate Middleton,
- John Key,
- James Marshall
- Places:
- Australia,
- New Zealand,
- United Kingdom,
- St James's Palace
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