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Agence France-Presse in Wellington

New Zealand’s opposition on Tuesday accused Prime Minister John Key of trying to use Britain’s visiting royals to boost his popularity ahead of a general election.
Prince William, wife Kate and baby Prince George arrived in New Zealand on Monday and were greeted by Key at Wellington Airport before meeting the conservative leader again at an official welcoming ceremony.
He is scheduled to meet the royals at least five more times during the 10-day tour, prompting opposition Labour Party leader David Cunliffe to say they were being used for “pre-election PR from the prime minister”.
“I guess he likes the camera time,” said Cunliffe, who will attempt to derail Key’s bid for a third term in the election on September 20.
“I think the public will watch closely to see how the prime minister treats his presence on the tour in an election year.”
Cunliffe said he welcomed the young royals, who are extremely popular in New Zealand, but said contacts with politicians should be “as even-handed as possible” so close to an election.
Key dismissed suggestions he was trying to get too close to the royals, saying all national leaders had to meet visiting dignitaries regularly.
“I’m not going to be barnacle attached to them over a 10-day tour. There’s a degree of normality about my engagements,” he told reporters on Monday.
Opinion polls show Key appears headed for a comfortable victory in September’s election, although New Zealand’s complicated system of proportional representation makes it notoriously difficult to predict results.
The royals were enjoying a rest day in Wellington on Tuesday as they recover from the long flight from London for the three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia.
Prince George, who was the star of the show when the family arrived on Monday, will have a play session with a group of local babies on Wednesday. His parents will ride in a jet boat and sail America’s Cup yachts while in New Zealand.
The Australian leg of the trip includes an excursion to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the country’s fabled red centre.

 


New Zealand PM John Key accused by opposition of using visiting royals as vote booster 

Prime Minister John Key (left) watches as Britain's Prince William, wife Catherine, and son Prince George arrive for their visit to New Zealand. Photo: AP

Eyes front, Kate! Britain's royals greeted by Maori warriors on start of NZ tour

The royal couple greet the members of a Maori performance group. Photo: AFP

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, steps off the airplane with Prince George in her arms at the Wellington international airport on Monday. Photo: AFP

The royals arrive for a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia. It is Duchess Catherine and Prince George's first trip to either country. Photo: AFP

Britain's Prince William (centre) and his wife Catherine meet a Maori warrior during the welcoming ceremony at Wellington's Government House on Monday. Photo: AFP

Britain's Prince George, third in line to the throne, watches from a window in the arms of a royal household member as his parents attend a Maori welcoming ceremony below. Photo: AFP

Prince William reaches down to pick up a dart as part of a challenge during the Maori welcome ceremony at Wellington's Government House. Photo: EPA

Prince William (left) and Duchess Catherine (right) receive "hongi", a traditional Maori greeting, in Wellington. Photos: AFP

Britain's Prince William picks up the dart from a Maori warrior. Photo: AFP

The family disembark from their plane amid wind and rain. Photo: Reuters

Catherine meets local schoolchildren during a welcoming ceremony at Government House. Photo: AFP

Maori people, whose ancestors were the original settlers in New Zealand, perform for the royals. Photo: EPA

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Opposition Labour Party leader David Cunliffe accuses prime minister of using visit by Britain's Prince William, wife Kate and baby Prince George as 'pre-election PR'
