Prince William jets to New Zealand on first official overseas trip

Prince William is headed for New Zealand, marking the visit as his first official overseas trip on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The second in line to the British throne will inaugurate the country's new Supreme Court building in Wellington during three days of engagements.

"Prince William was delighted to be asked by the Queen to represent Her Majesty on this important occasion in New Zealand, a country of which he is enormously fond having visited previously in 2005," the Daily Express quoted his private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton as saying.

The 27-year-old royal will receive a cultural welcome by the indigenous Maori chiefs and share a meal as their guest of honour at a hangi, a traditional dinner before the opening the new multi-million pound structure.

He will pay a visit to Australia for an unofficial tour.