The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have written a personal note to New Zealand on Waitangi Day.

The couple - who have stepped back from royal duties and now live in Canada - said on Instagram they were "sending our very best" to their Kiwi followers.

"As a commonwealth country and a realm, today we honour the spirit and diversity of New Zealand, and we feel particularly reminded of the special time we had there during our tour in 2018.

"The Duke and Duchess send their best wishes to all the people of New Zealand.

"I tēnei rā, ka tuku mihi maioha te Tiuka me te Tāhihi ki ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa."

Prince Harry's brother William and wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, followed on their own Instagram account with a message.

"Ko tēnei rā o Waitangi ko te rā hararei o te motu o Aotearoa.

"‪Tēnei te tuku mihi maioha ki ngā kaitautāwhi katoa o Aotearoa.

"Today marks New Zealand's national holiday #WaitangiDay ‪Sending our best wishes to all of our followers in New Zealand."

Buckingham Palace also sent a message to New Zealand via its The Royal Family Twitter account.

"Today, communities across new New Zealand will be marking Waitangi Day," the tweet read, with an image of the Queen at Waitangi during a previous visit to New Zealand.

Today, communities across new New Zealand will be marking Waitangi Day. The national holiday commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, widely consider to be the document which founded modern New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/f11SuNj5KA

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 5, 2020