Happy New Year everyone. The weather has been a bit ho hum over the holiday period, but Kapiti turned on a brilliant day for His Royal Highness Prince William and his visit to Kapiti Island on Monday.
Being the Otaki MP, I was invited by Prime Minister Hon John Key to accompany the Prince on his visit to Kapiti. As we neared Paraparaumu Beach we could see hundreds of people lined up on the beach to get a glimpse of the Prince. They weren't disappointed as the Prince and Prime Minister shook nearly every hand before boarding the boat for Kapiti Island.
I sat next to the Prince on our journey over to Kapiti and he commented on how clear and blue the ocean was. We also discussed his recent graduation on becoming a helicopter pilot. I found him extremely easy to get along with - he was warm, genuine and had a good sense of humour.
We had a powhiri welcome onto Kapiti where translators told the Prince of the important history of the island. The birds were on song, the sun was shining and I was proud to be on this special place. The Prince seemed at ease holding a Kiwi and releasing it on the island surrounded by selected students from our three Kapiti colleges.
This was a remarkable day in our history to host the Prince and it was captured by the huge media presence from England, who was blown away by the treasure that is Kapiti Island right on our doorstep.
It will only take a few positive media stories back in England and our region will attract even more tourists. With the Rugby World Cup around the corner and a charismatic Prince to help sell New Zealand's beauty - Kapiti will have many positive spin-offs from a very successful visit.
I am proud to be your local MP and to have been part of sharing our beautiful region not only to the Prince - but millions of people on the other side of the world.
Earlier in the day as Associate Minister of Justice I was at the opening of the new Supreme Court House in Wellington by the Prince. From my 6th floor office across the road in Bowen House I have watched this project with curiosity as it has neared completion.
After the ceremony I was taken on a tour of the Court House and I was very impressed by the modern interior layout and how the old courthouse has been preserved - including names and doodling on the media desks from reporters'
decades ago.
The Prince certainly had a varied range of activities in his short stay in New Zealand and it was a privilege and an honour for me to have been involved and for Kapiti to have been on the itinerary.
Link to ITV's Royal Correspondent, Tim Ewart, report on the Prince's visit. NBC Sport Coverage
His Royal Highness Prince William, Hon Nathan Guy, Prime Minister Hon John Key