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Police move protesters back before Prince William arrives to open the new Supreme Court building in Wellington - Source: Reuters -
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Bad weather almost stymied Prince William's plans to fly into Wellington from Auckland, the Air Force jet almost diverted to Ohakea.
Pea soup certainly didn't make for a great summer's day in Wellington, grounding hundreds in the airport and raising concern the prince's plane might not make it.
But while the Air Force jet landed safely, the weather meant only a few braved the damp to see the second in line to the throne inspect our armed forces before laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
It might have been a small crowd but Prince William was still a
big hit.
With the weather improving, down the road at the Supreme Court he
was greeted as a chief with a rousing haka and gifted a korowai or
cloak of albatross, kaka and kiwi feathers.
Met by maori leaders and former governor general Sir Paul Reeves, inside he was introduced to senior government ministers before taking a tour of the new building.
"It gives me great pleasure with the unveiling of this plaque to open the New Zealand Supreme Court building," Prince William said.
For some, having the prince open the Supreme Court which cuts ties to London's law lords on the Privy Council is ironic.
Republicans who staged a protest want New Zealand to continue to move away from the motherland.
"We're saying bye bye wills, bye bye royal pump. We don't need the Queen governing this country anymore," says Jack Gielen, a republican.
Members of the Republican Movement unfurled a banner stating "It's time for a republic" outside the Supreme Court as Prince William arrived.
Parliament is set to vote on Green Party MP Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill in March.
But others in the crowd disagreed with the protesters.
"I think it's wonderful, a great opportunity to show our support for the monarchy and for people to see people who actually rule them," says John Morrison, a monarchist.
It was an opportunity many Wellingtonians seemed to enjoy.
Prince William also got up close and personal with kiwi of the feathered variety when he visited the wildlife sanctuary on Kapiti Island.
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