• Meghan participates in a gumboot throwing competition with Prince Harry at The North Shore Riding Club in Auckland. AFP
    Meghan participates in a gumboot throwing competition with Prince Harry at The North Shore Riding Club in Auckland. AFP
  • Prince Harry helps Meghan as they arrive to unveil a plaque dedicating 20 hectares of native bush to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy project at The North Shore Riding Club. AFP
    Prince Harry helps Meghan as they arrive to unveil a plaque dedicating 20 hectares of native bush to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy project at The North Shore Riding Club. AFP
  • Prince Harry and Meghan join children from the Trees in Survival group during the gumboot throwing contest. EPA
    Prince Harry and Meghan join children from the Trees in Survival group during the gumboot throwing contest. EPA
  • Prince Harry, Meghan, meet the public with Auckland mayor Phil Goff and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Auckland's Viaduct. Getty Images
    Prince Harry, Meghan, meet the public with Auckland mayor Phil Goff and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Auckland's Viaduct. Getty Images
  • Construction workers wait to see Prince Harry and Meghan at Viaduct Harbour in Auckland. Reuters
    Construction workers wait to see Prince Harry and Meghan at Viaduct Harbour in Auckland. Reuters
  • Prince Harry and Meghan take part in a public walkabout at Viaduct Harbour. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan take part in a public walkabout at Viaduct Harbour. Getty Images
  • Fans holding masks with the faces of Prince Harry and Meghan wait for them to conduct a public walkabout at the Vivaduct Harbour. AFP
    Fans holding masks with the faces of Prince Harry and Meghan wait for them to conduct a public walkabout at the Vivaduct Harbour. AFP
  • Meghan is presented with flowers from Ghianna Angi during a visit to Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison, in Manukau City in Auckland. AFP
    Meghan is presented with flowers from Ghianna Angi during a visit to Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison, in Manukau City in Auckland. AFP
  • Meghan meets fans on the street in Auckland. Getty Images
    Meghan meets fans on the street in Auckland. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan meet the public in the Viaduct. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan meet the public in the Viaduct. Getty Images

Meghan and Harry's junket Down Under not rattled by earthquake


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Rain, wind and even an earthquake did not dampen the enthusiasm of New Zealanders who turned out to see Prince Harry and wife Meghan toss gumboots around on Tuesday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in a welly-wanging competition with local youngsters, then met with people in Auckland during a walkabout on the penultimate day of the couple's South Pacific tour.

Hannah Sergel was overjoyed after the Duchess stopped to hug her. The New Zealander said she travelled from Christchurch for the event and had followed the duchess on Instagram before the royal had to deactivate her account.

"It means the world to me," Ms Sergel said. "I am so shaky and flustered. When I first saw her I cried."

People got rained upon waiting for the couple but the showers stopped during the royal walkabout.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive in New Zealand

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Tonga's national dress

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry honour 'Fijian Rambo'

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The couple were visiting the head office of the charity Pillars in Auckland when a strong-but-deep earthquake struck the central North Island. There were no reports of major damage or injuries after the magnitude 6.1 quake.

Many thousands of people across the country felt the quake, although those attending the event with the royals said they did not feel it there.

The couple finish their 16-day tour on Wednesday. They arrived in New Zealand on Sunday after earlier visiting Australia, Fiji and Tonga.

Prince Harry is scheduled to give a speech on Tuesday night during a reception at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and on Wednesday the couple are scheduled to visit a hatchery for the national bird, the kiwi.

New Zealand Post has marked the couple's visit with a special issue of commemorative stamps.

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