Prince Harry in hard paddle up NZ river

Prince Harry said he was "knackered" after helping crew a canoe up New Zealand's Whanganui River in challenging conditions.

Britain's Prince Harry.

Prince Harry said he was "knackered" after helping crew a canoe up New Zealand's Whanganui River. (AAP)

A tough canoe paddle up New Zealand's Whanganui River left Prince Harry proclaiming he was "knackered".

"Well, that's my exercise done for today," he said, as he landed back on shore.

The weather was far from perfect: it was windy and cold out on the water.

Although he'd changed out of his suit into jeans and a black waterproof jacket, some locals watching from the river bank thought he should have been given a beanie as well.

Prince Harry had a seat at the back of Putiki Marae's canoe. He was handed a paddle and as the crew set out on the river, he seemed to pick up the rhythm of the stroke pretty quickly.

It took the crew about 40 minutes to get up-river to Whanganui's Union Boat Club, where a big crowd had gathered to cheer the prince on.

Earlier on Thursday, Prince Harry took his first steps on a marae, a traditional meeting place, with a welcome ceremony performed at Putiki Marae on the river bank.

Wearing a cloak given to him by the Ngai Tahu tribe, the prince tried his hand at the Maori language, with a short mihi (greeting).

Prince Harry thanked everyone for their warm welcome.

"It is an honour for me to be at Putiki Marae, so close to the Whanganui River," he said.

Prince Harry's uncle, Prince Edward, spent several months tutoring at Whanganui Collegiate in 1982. During that time Prince Edward was welcomed to Putiki Marae a number of times.

"Unfortunately I'm not able to spend a whole year in Whanganui as he did," Prince Harry said.

"However it is a huge privilege to experience the hospitality and traditions for which the Whanganui is renowned."

Earlier, rain had threatened to put a dampener on proceedings.

But the squally showers cleared just as Prince Harry's motorcade pulled up.

After lunch Prince Harry will meet and chat with local veterans at Whanganui's War Memorial Centre.

People hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal will get their best chance when he does a 30-minute walkabout just outside the centre.


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Source: AAP


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