As it happened: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry in New Zealand - royal tour day two

It's day two of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's New Zealand tour. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Wellington on Sunday for the final leg of their Pacific tour, their first major visit outside the UK.

On Monday morning they paid a visit to Maranui Café before heading south to Abel Tasman National Park.

Live updates have now ended.

4:55pm - Harry and Meghan are heading back to Wellington, where they'll meet some orcs at Courtenay Creative. They're attending an event celebrating the creative arts and, as well as orcs, will meet with young people involved in props, make-up, music and costuming.

4:30pm - Auckland Transport has encouraged the city's royalists to walk or bus rather than drive to see Harry and Meghan at Karanga Plaza, Wynyard Quarter tomorrow.

4:15pm - More present news! Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she gave Meghan some Boh Runga 'feather' earrings. These ones maybe? Or these? Perhaps these? Harry, meanwhile, received a Shapeshifter CD: 2009's 'The System is a Vampire'. 

4:00pm - Another post from the official Kensington Palace Twitter account about Harry and Meghan's beach walk in which they learned about local conservation programmes.

3:50pm - Before hopping back in the helicopter, Harry and Meghan are being presented with more gifts, including a shawl for the baby. They've also been given a painting of three tuis symbolising the couple and their child, which was painted by Takaka artist Robin Slow.

3:40pm - When Harry and Meghan arrive in Auckland tomorrow, they'll receive gifts from the council for their baby.

Mayor Phil Goff says he's expecting a good turnout for the couple's walk around Karanga Plaza and the Viaduct area.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and taking advantage of the coverage of their visit by the world media to showcase our city."

Council staff have knitted some baby clothes and the parents-to-be will also be presented with two children's books to commemmorate their visit.

The books are Diane Newcombe's A is for Auckland and A is for Aotearoa. I'd have gone with Hairy Maclary or maybe The Boy with Two Shadows, but I suppose Phil has a tourism agenda to push.

3:20pm - The rain is showing no signs of easing up, but that hasn't stopped Harry and Meghan from enjoying the local culture.

They've heard speeches in Te Reo, translated for them on the go, as well as some stiring waiata. 

2:35pm - Details have emerged of what Harry and Meghan got up to in Abel Tasman National Park.

Amid rainfall, they landed by helicopter on Totaranui Beach where they were welcomed by a traditional pōwhiri from local iwi.

Speaking from a marquee, local kaumatua Barney Thomas wished the parents-to-be luck with their 'pepi', which Meghan reportedly smiled at when the word was translated for her.

As is traditional marae protocol, Meghan's chair was set a few inches back from her husband's, although she was seated in the front row.

"We want to be inclusive but especially Meghan, because she's expecting, we don't want to put her at any risk," Mr Thomas explained.

After a waiata Harry spoke to the group, thanking them for their hospitality.

"From my wife, myself and our little bump, it's a blessing to be here," he said. "We bring you greetings from my grandmother."

The couple then braved the rain and joined a DoC ranger for a beach walk, sheltering under a shared umbrella. Harry and Meghan were treated to the sight of a weka before they returned to the marquee for tea and brownies. These two can't get enough tea!

1:40pm - Kensington Palace has acknowledged 20-year-old Ezekiel Raui, a mental health advocate who spoke with Harry and Meghan at Maranui Café this morning.

1:15pm - Due to poor cell reception at Abel Tasman, we likely won't hear anything about what the royals are up to until later in the afternoon.

In the meantime, you can read more about the young chap from Houghton Valley School who couldn't bring himself to shake Meghan's hand.

12:50pm - Meghan's swapped her $1000 Stuart Weitzman boots for some practical sneakers as she and Harry prepare to visit some Department of Conservation (DoC) sites in Abel Tasman National Park.

11:50am - The Royal NZ Air Force has tweeted that they'll be transporting Harry and Meghan to Abel Tasman National Park by helicopter.

11:35am - Some people really have an eye for detail. Twitter users have noticed Meghan has a plaster on her thumb, days after she was photographed with one on her middle finger in Australia. 

Speculation as to how she keeps injuring her fingers is rife on social media. Theories include Satanic rituals and banana bread-induced burns. You be the judge.

11:25am - Extremely important update about that plate of delicious baked goods! Meghan sent the slices, muffins and biscuits (which look just about untouched) to the kids waiting outside the café so they could have their own morning tea. They look extremely pleased with the spread.

11:15am - If you like Meghan's outfit today, you're in luck. Popular Twitter account 'What Meghan Wore' has compiled a guide to her casual Wellington chic, with links to the exact garments she's wearing so you can copy her exact look.

That is, if you're prepared to shell out NZ$1071 for a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots.

10:55am - The couple's back in the car and the motorcade is slowly driving away as kids chant 'Harry, Meghan'.

10:50am - Harry and Meghan have walked out and are now greeting a group of kids gathered at the café entrance. They could learn a thing or two about sun safety from the children, who are all wearing their hats.

One child seems to be suffering stage fright and is refusing to shake Meghan's hand. Either that, or he's a staunch republican.

10:45am - Mary is an au pair from the US who is offering her childcare services for the royal baby, which is due in spring (our autumn) 2019.

"They need an American influence, for sure."

As it happened: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry in New Zealand - royal tour day two
Photo credit: Newshub.

10:40am - A group of self-confessed royalists are waiting outside the café, hoping for a handshake "or even a little kiss on the cheek".

"From Harry, that is. Not Meghan."

10:35pm - In a startlingly unrelatable move, Meghan ordered a cup of tea while Harry is content drinking water. No double-shot flat whites for these two, they've got enough natural energy to get them through another busy day. 

10:30pm - If there's one thing Maranui Café's famous for, it's long wait times. Some regular customers are put out that Harry and Meghan got a table right away.

10:20pm - It's starting to rain but the 2000 to 3000 fans outside are sticking around to see Harry and Meghan come outside in about 45 minutes.

10:15pm - Style update: Both Harry and Meghan have gone for a more casual look today, and have rugged up well against the famous Wellington wind.

Meghan is sporting Outland jeans, a Jac and Jack top and a Club Monaco coat, according to eagle-eyed fashionistas.

They're both still wearing their poppies.

10:12pm - They're sitting around a table with members of mental health advocacy groups who are explaining what their initiatives entail.

There's a plate of delicious-looking sweet things in the middle of the table, but no one's been brave enough to take one yet.

10:10pm - Harry and Meghan are in the building. They've placed their orders and are now being led to a table. 

10:07am - The motorcade's arriving! Those inside the café have been told they have just minutes before they'll be face to face with the royal couple.

9:55am - Maranui Café is packed with media and fans awaiting the arrival of Harry and Meghan.

No word yet on the couple's coffee order. Americano for her, English Breakfast for him?

9:45am - At the café, Harry and Meghan will meet with mental health advocates to learn about the initiatives working to support young Kiwis.

9:30am - Royal fans have gotten creative with their signs, hoping theirs will be the one the Duke and Duchess notice in the crowd.

As it happened: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry in New Zealand - royal tour day two
Photo credit: Newshub.

9:15am - Crowds are already gathering at Maranui Café where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to arrive at 10am.

As it happened: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry in New Zealand - royal tour day two
Photo credit: Newshub.

The Lyall Bay joint is a Wellington icon, known for its eclectic decor and stunning views of the ocean.

Newshub.