WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Britain’s Prince Harry arrived in New Zealand on Saturday for a weeklong visit and was soon talking about the country’s prowess in rugby, pressing noses with indigenous Maori leaders, and laughing off marriage proposals.

Harry was greeted by Prime Minister John Key and other dignitaries when his plane landed in Wellington. Harry stopped often to say hello to cheering fans as he began his first tour of the South Pacific commonwealth nation of 4.5 million.

From the airport he traveled to Government House for an official welcome. He pressed noses with Maori leaders in a traditional greeting called a “hongi” and met with military representatives.

He also talked with schoolchildren, feigning surprise when some told him they didn’t play rugby. “I thought you would be forced to play rugby,” he said. “That’s why you have such a good rugby team, isn’t it?”

Harry was scheduled to watch a rugby game Saturday night between Wellington’s Hurricanes and South Africa’s Durban-based Sharks.

The prince traveled to the National War Memorial, where he laid a wreath at the foot of a statue and placed a native fern on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, to honor those killed in war. The prince was greeted along the way by fans, some offering to marry him.


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