Prince Andrew releases Beatrice ... the kiwi | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

While he may have been in Rotorua on official business representing his mother, the Duke of York also forged a more personal link with the area.

Prince Andrew released a Kiwi named Beatrice - after his eldest daughter - into the forest on Mokoia Island on Sunday.

The 15-week-old chick was hatched from an egg found in the Whirinaki Forest and released on the island as part of the ongoing Operation Nest Egg programme run by the Department of Conservation, in conjunction with the Mokoia Island Trust.

The Duke won the hearts of Te Arawa and the wider Rotorua community during his brief visit.

On a visit to the Rotorua Museum's B Company, 28th Maori Battalion exhibition he and Prime Minister Helen Clark met with the few remaining Te Arawa Maori Battalion veterans, asking many searching questions about the campaigns their battalion were involved in.

He later met with other veterans before a gala dinner held in their honour at the Energy Events Centre. During his speech he made a plea for the young people of Rotorua to learn about the great sacrifices their ancestors had made.

"The one thing we must prevent is repetition of historical errors and the one way we can do that is to educate the young people ... It's been a very, very moving day."

Speaking to a crowd of about 70 people gathered on the island, he said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time in the city.

"Over the last two days I have learned an enormous amount and my respect and admiration has increased markedly," he said.

At Saturday night's dinner, Sir Howard Morrison spoke of how impressed he was with the Duke's conduct, particularly his determination to spend time with the veterans and his insistence that he be photographed with them.

"Straight away ... there was a swell of admiration for him."

Sir Howard, with Dame Malvina Major and members of his quartet, including his nephew actor Temuera Morrison, son Howard Morrison junior and long-time quartet member Jerry Merito, entertained the guests.

He said it had been a privilege to do so because many of those present would not normally be able to afford the price of a concert ticket.

Manahi VC Committee chairman John Marsh was another thrilled with the weekend's events. "I can stand here as a son of Te Arawa and say this has been an outstanding outcome. We might not have been able to secure a VC, but we have been able to secure something greater - the unity of the people."