Prince William

Wellington, Jan 19 NZPA - Prince William has departed for Australia following a busy few days in New Zealand.

The 27-year-old royal packed a lot into his brief stopover; he toured Eden Park accompanied by All Blacks, sailed an Americas Cup yacht, visited Kapiti Island, experienced a hangi and barbecued with the Prime Minister. He also fulfilled a number of official duties including a wreath laying at Wellington's war memorial, the opening of New Zealand's new Supreme Court building and brightened the day of sick children stuck in Wellington Hospital.

Those who met the prince described a genuine, laid back individual as he enjoyed an overwhelmingly positive response from crowds who turned up to catch a glimpse of the second in line for the throne.

In return Prince William complimented New Zealand's "fantastic" hospitality.

"Very welcoming, very warm, very fun and I wish I wasn't going," he said at Wellington Hospital -- his last stop before flying off today.

After spending time in the children's wards he told journalists it was important to get out and meet people.

"It raises awareness, it's important for everything really. It's important for humanity that everyone realises that you all get along, everyone's the same and I really enjoy it, I get a buzz out of it. Seeing kids smile means a lot to me."

Asked if he got his affinity with children from his mother he said he was no where near her level.

"She had a fantastic affinity with kids, and with everyone. I just go and meet people and enjoy their company. I like meeting people, so it helps."

Back home in Britain the press praised his performance during what was the Prince's first official visit.

"It marks a significant milestone for the prince for he is representing his 83-yaer-old grandmother overseas for the first time," the Daily Telegraph said on Monday in an editorial entitled "Prince Charming".

"William is... showing a genuine enthusiasm for his royal duties which he undertakes with an easy, winning charm that does him the greatest credit," it said.

The Times highlighted Prince William's informality -- noting that "the future of the monarchy was in trainers yesterday" - the sporting footwear worn by the Prince for a game of rugby with a group of 10-year-olds.

The rugby game made its own headlines after an incident in which Prince William appeared to take a ball to the groin as one child called out, "we got him in the Crown Jewels".

It was one of a few minor hiccups as, for the most part, the visit went smoothly.

The prince's plane was slightly late arriving in Wellington due to fog, while an early arrival to a barbecue held at Premier House saw a teenage radio station employee bundled off by police.

Warwick Slow jumped the fence carrying bread and sausages, and managed to mingle with guests for a few minutes while on the phone to his station X105 before being noticed by security.

Police are considering whether to charge Mr Slow.

The obvious question of whether New Zealand should become a republic was raised during the prince's visit, although did not mar appearances.

A group of vocal Republican Movement protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court but were drowned out by the larger number of royal supporters present.

Meanwhile, the irony of having a member of the royal family open a building which represents a severed tie with the British legal system did not escape media commentators.

The New Zealand Herald seized the opportunity to run a poll on New Zealand's preferred future monarch which showed Prince William (favoured by 29.4 percent of respondents) was almost as popular a choice as his father Prince Charles (30.2 percent).

Prince William touched down in Sydney this afternoon where he can likely expect a more mixed reception than in New Zealand.

Australians are more supportive of the drive towards becoming a republic, yet Prince William himself enjoys some popularity; a Seven News poll found 58 percent of respondents said they wanted him to wear the crown next while only 30 percent voted for Prince Charles.