Updated 5.55pm: Prince Harry got to see what one Department of Conservation ranger calls "the old New Zealand" today.

The prince had a getaway to the pest-free Ulva Island sanctuary, near Stewart Island.

Barely a minute after stepping onto the island, he was greeted by a weka.

He was taken on a tour of the 270 hectare island, with stops along the way to learn how to set a rat trap and meeting members of the Ulva Island Charitable Trust.

He visited Stewart island earlier this afternoon, with a quarter of the island's population of 400 gathering at the community centre to say hello.

He choppered in, before briefly meeting and greeting the crowd outside the island's community centre.

21-year-old Isebella, who studies at Otago University says Prince Harry was very approachable.

"My sister leaned out to him and asked if he minded stopping for a bit, and he did and waited and made sure it was all good as well."

He was given an oyster and a knife and taught to shuck Bluff oysters but declined to taste the delicacy.

After opening the oyster he opted to give it to someone in the crowd, rather than sample it for himself.

11-year-old George says it's awesome seeing the world's eyes staring down on his community.

But what has really amazed him is the number of boys in blue on the Island.

"And there's like, so many police. We usually only have 1 and now there's 20."

The prince then travelled to the pest-free sanctuary Ulva Island.

On the ferry to Ulva Island #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/Oi439t89Ft

— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) May 10, 2015

He explored the island with rangers and learned how it is kept free of rats and other predators.

At five o'clock Prince Harry attended a private service at St Andrews Anglican Church on Stewart Island.