Prince Harry has been put through his paces at Linton military camp, learning the army's haka and getting behind the wheel of an all-terrain vehicle.
The 30-year-old prince, known in the British army as Captain Wales, landed at the army base near Palmerston North in an NH90 helicopter just before lunchtime on Wednesday.
The former Apache attack helicopter pilot - kitted out in army camouflage with a kiwi badge on one shoulder and a New Zealand flag on the other - got straight into the action, putting on an extra jacket, goggles and a helmet to get in the driver's seat of the ATV.
Prince Harry appeared to be enjoying himself, speeding off across the grass before being taken on a training course with an army driving instructor.
He was then roped in to help lift a hangi, with lamb, pork, chicken and vegetables on the menu for lunch.
Once the food was safely in the back of an army truck, Prince Harry was taken for a ride in one of the army's light armoured vehicles.
He asked plenty of questions as he was shown around it and as he got into his seat he commented, "this brings back memories".
But his highlight of the day was learning - then performing for the waiting media - the army's own haka.
Prince Harry had just 20 minutes to perfect it before the cameras and reporters were allowed back in to the gymnasium.
The red-headed royal seemed to be concentrating hard as he went through the steps.
Sergeant Major Brent Pene, who led the haka, said there wasn't enough time to teach the prince the army haka.
"So there was frustration on his part because he really wanted to nail it. I think he did," Sgt Maj Pene said.
"He was familiar with the haka, so he wanted to know whether we'd do 'Ka Mate', but we did the army haka. As soldiers, it's not everyday you have a member of the royal family doing the haka with you."
He had lunch in the officer's mess and chatted with defence force personnel, including wounded soldiers, families of the fallen and Invictus Games athletes.
Afterwards Prince Harry played a game of touch rugby with children from Linton Camp School.
There weren't any fancy moves, but he gave the kids encouragement, at one point telling them to concentrate.
Students who weren't on the field cheered the visitor on from the sideline, yelling "Prince Harry".
Running about 45 minutes behind schedule, he was whisked away from the army base by helicopter on Wednesday afternoon.
He'll be enjoying some private time before heading to Whanganui on Thursday.
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