Prince Harry learnt to shuck the famous Bluff oyster while visiting Stewart Island Community Centre on the beautiful tiny island at the base of New Zealand today. He arrived by helicopter to the nation’s most southerly point and was greeted by plenty of locals.
Prince Harry’s visit to Stewart Island comes more than 60 years after his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, visited Invercargill and Bluff when they came on their inaugural royal tour in 1954.
With a population of 378 almost a quarter of the island’s residents were crowded inside the community centre hoping to meet the Prince.
Looking relaxed in a navy blue jumper and matching dress pants Prince Harry was in his element chatting to the Island residents. Community centre treasurer Chris Sara said it was not often people get the chance to shake the hand of royalty. One of the youngest members in the crowd was 12-year-old Angus Kenny who is a member of the Stewart Island Bowls Club. Meeting the prince was “pretty cool”, he said. “He’s more down-to-earth than I thought he would be.”
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The resounding opinion of the day seemed to be that Prince Harry was easy to talk to.
Nic Adlan, of Stewart Island Smoked Salmon, said speaking to him was awesome.
“He was just so lovely and open it was just like talking to one of your own kids.”
Stewart Island Rakiura Community Environment Trust trustee Sharon Ross said her heart was racing as the prince approached. “I never thought I would get to shake his hand,” she said. SIRCET members spoke to the royal about their role in protecting the island’s wildlife.
Ross was able to find out what Prince Harry was most hoping to see on his trip. “He really wants to see a kiwi, so I hope he does.”
The highlight of his trip to the community centre involved a knife and an oyster, as the prince tried his hand at oyster shucking, passing the oyster on to a member of the crowd to sample.
Next up is a visit to the bird sanctuary on neighbouring Ulva Ialand. The Prince will take the 10-minute boat ride from Stewart Island’s Golden Bay to the haven for birds including the South Island Saddleback, Yellowhead and Stewart Island Brown Kiwi.
