Harry and Meghan comforted a schoolboy who became overwhelmed as he met the Sussexes outside a cafe in Wellington.
The couple had visited Maranui Cafe on Monday to meet with mental health workers and discuss their work.
And 10 pupils from nearby Houghton Valley School got the chance to meet the duke and duchess as they left the cafe, shaking their hands as one of children handed Meghan flowers.
Joe Young, five, was on the end of the line of pupils and rubbed his eyes as the royal visitors approached.
The duchess kneeled down and touched his hand and the duke then went in to tickle Joe’s stomach.
Monica Mercury, deputy principal at the school, said: “I’m a huge fan of Harry and I always wanted him to share his crazy life with someone and he finally found someone so I’m really happy for him.
“It’s not every day this sort of thing happens.
“Joe was very nervous and Harry was very nice with him too.”
The couple made their way down the line, with eight-year-old Max Dash giving the flowers to the duchess.
He said: “I gave her the flowers and she said thank you.
“It was so exciting. At the start I was a bit freaked out.”
The children were then given cake as the royal entourage headed to Abel Tasman National Park after a request from the duchess
Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met young New Zealander’s supporting others in the area of mental health.
Meghan was wearing Outland jeans, a Jac and Jack top and a Club Monaco coat.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are later heading to New Zealand’s smallest national park and will go on a trail walk on the latest stop of their tour.
They will be greeted by a welcome ceremony on arrival, before joining the park’s young ambassadors and local school children at a barbecue and for a tree planting.
On the walk, Harry and Meghan will learn from rangers about the history of the forest and the environmental challenges of protecting the park’s habitat.
The couple arrived in Wellington on Sunday, October 28, and were given a traditional welcome at Government House before meeting crowds by the National War Memorial.
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