Kiwiana fit for a prince

Prince William's Swanndri.

The Prince's Buzzy Bee cufflinks.

Relevant offers

When Prince William left New Zealand on Tuesday, he took several Kiwi mementos with him.

Prime Minister John Key presented the popular prince, 27, with a classic New Zealand Swanndri and a pair of "Buzzy Bee" cufflinks, a touching reminder of his first visit to New Zealand as a baby in 1983.

On tour with his father Prince Charlies and mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, William, who was then six months old, was pictured playing with a Buzzy Bee.

Key told the Sunday Star-Times: "The Swanndri is an iconic New Zealand brand of outdoor clothing and was given to Prince William because he enjoys a number of outdoor pursuits and we felt it would be very useful.

"The Buzzy Bee cufflinks were chosen because of the association Prince William has with Buzzy Bee." The Buzzy Bee – a pull-along toy whose moving wings make a clicking sound – has become a popular and iconic New Zealand toy. It was first produced in New Zealand in 1948.

The cufflinks were made by Auckland jeweller JW Design. "Of course we are delighted, especially as we weren't told and had no idea," Jillian Watson of JW Design said.

"It was done all very low key. I hope he will wear them some time."

The governor-general, Sir Anand Satyanand, gave Prince William a Kia Kaha shirt, which he wore to the hangi hosted at Government House in Auckland, and a piece of pounamu, or greenstone.

"The gifts were chosen because they reflected New Zealand's unique heritage and culture, while the shirt also fitted with the Pacific theme of the dinner," a spokesman for the governor-general said. Guests had been asked to wear "Pacific formal" clothes to the event.

Thousands of people turned out to see Prince William, who was representing the Queen on official business for the first time, to open the country's new Supreme Court. While here he was also given a tour of Eden Park by All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, went sailing with Grant Dalton and Dean Barker, had a date with a "Kiwi bird" on Kapiti Island, and visited sick children at Wellington Hospital.

The British media were full of praise for Prince William's performance. The Guardian newspaper said the prince "did not disappoint", while the BBC said his visit "sparked memories of Diana".

- © Fairfax NZ News