The leader of Ngāi Tahu says it was an immense privilege to welcome Prince Harry to Invercargill during his first visit to Murihiku - Southland.
Prince Harry being welcomed to Invercargill Photo: SUPPLIED
The Prince was greeted by Sir Mark Solomon, Tipene O'Regan and representatives of the Waihopai Runanga yesterday.
Sir Tipene O'Regan said Māori value their relationship with the royal family because it was Queen Victoria in whose name the Treaty of Waitangi was entered into with his tupuna.
Sir Tipene said Prince Harry was a symbol of the iwi's bond with British royalty that goes back to his ancestors' signing of the Treaty on Ruapuke Island, near Bluff.
He said the Prince was representative of those connections that were important for Maori to maintain.
At the welcome ceremony Prince Harry was gifted cuff links, a tie pin made of pounamu and a cloak woven by Ngāi Tahu weavers.