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Britain's Prince William picks up the "rakau tapu" as a man dressed as a Maori warrior looks on during a traditional Maori Powhiri Ceremonial Welcome in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 7.Reuters
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a 19-day tour of Australia and New Zealand, the first official trip overseas with their son, Prince George of Cambridge. Getty Images
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Britain's Prince William, left, receives a hongi, a traditional Maori welcome, from Maori Elder Lewis Moeau.AP
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Pint-sized Prince George is on his first royal tour — spending three weeks in Australia and New Zealand with his mum and dad, Duchess Catherine of Cambridge and Prince William.

Britain’s royal family got a cheeky reception Down Under Monday when they were greeted by some scantily clad, heavily tattooed Maori, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.

Prince William and his wife Kate – along with pint-sized Prince George on his first royal tour – smiled broadly during the traditional Maori Powhiri Ceremonial Welcome at the airport in Wellington.

William, in a dark suit and burgundy tie, at one point picked up “rakau tapu” – a sort of traditional dart – that a man dressed as a Maori warrior had placed before him as a sing of greeting.

George – third in line for the throne – sported a cream-colored sweater and shorts.

His mum favored a more glamorous look, wearing black stilettoes and bright red coat by Catherine Walker, a British designer whose fans included William’s late mother, Princess Diana, and a pillbox hat by Gina Foster.

She was also wearing a diamond and platinum silver fern brooch, on loan from Queen Elizabeth, The Daily Mail reported.

The family and their entourage left London Saturday night for the jaunt to New Zealand and Australia, taking up the First Class section of a scheduled Qantas flight via Dubai.

Prime Minister John Key greeted the couple before they were whisked off to Government House where they received a traditional Maori welcome.

William and Kate plan to spend the next few weeks enjoying a wine tasting at a local vineyard, meeting with “The Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson, going on a jet boat ride and visiting Christchurch, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2011.

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