The expectant royals are here for five days – plenty of time to sample some of Aotearoa’s finest cuisine.
As we excitement-starved colony-dwellers eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attention naturally turned to the New Zealand delicacies their Royal Highnesses might be treated to during their five-day visit.
Some details have been released: the couple will visit Maranui Cafe in Lyall Bay when they’re in the capital tomorrow, and a traditional hāngī will be served when they go to Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua on Wednesday. There will also be KFC.
But they’re here for five days, and a royal cannot live by scones, hāngī and a quarter pack alone.
Fear not, The Spinoff Food has filled in the gaps:
SUNDAY
It’s unclear what time the royals arrive in Wellington today, but luckily KC Cafe is open pretty much all the time. The good folk of Kai Corner suggest roast duck and being yelled at by the lady behind the counter are both necessary for the experience to be truly authentic. It wouldn’t be a trip to Wellington without a hoppy 8 percenter, but as Megs is pregs, she’ll have to make do with a bottomless bowl of Cheezels at Golding’s Free Dive while Harry imbibes. Could be worse.
MONDAY
Following the Maranui outing, the lovebirds are popping over Cook Strait to Abel Tasman National Park. Pūkeko, which are apparently quite tasty, abound there, but it’s not the season currently — so put down the rifle, Harry. A fine alternative would be to stop in at Riwaka on the way. Sadly, the flying fox is no longer there, but rumour has it Ginger Dynamite has the best sausage rolls this side of the Takaka Hill, and it would be criminal to pass through without getting a real fruit ice cream from Thomas Brothers. If Harry’s delicate, real-ale-accustomed taste buds acclimatise to the flavour bombs at Golding’s, Hop Federation is close at hand too. On that note, once they’re done in Abel Tasman it would be churlish, quite frankly, not to carry on round the coast for a pint at The Mussel Inn in Golden Bay.
TUESDAY
Auckland. Tāmaki Makaurau. The big smoke. Haz and Megs are going to the Viaduct, where the obvious choice is Holey Moley for a round of mini-golf. A bush walk on the Shore is also on the cards, so after all that exertion they’ll certainly have worked up an appetite for a trip to Denny’s at Wairau Park and/or a feast of dumplings, hand-pulled noodles and the like at Northcote Town Centre.
WEDNESDAY
Rotovegas! Sulphur City! Rotten-rua! That’s right, final stop on the Harry and Meghan train is lovely Rotorua. Let’s hope they leave some room after the hāngī because Gold Star Bakery has what could quite possibly be the country’s finest pies. Patrick Lam is the man behind it — he owns Tauranga’s Patrick’s Pies too (which Simon Bridges reckons is the best pie shop in the country, but don’t let that put you off). The roast pork and creamy mushroom number was a big winner at this year’s pie awards, but the more traditional bacon and egg and mince options are also excellent. And if there’s a more poignantly Kiwi way to farewell visiting dignitaries than with a hāngī and a pie, we’d like to hear it. Haere rā, Harry and Meghan. Do come again, we’ll make you some lolly cake.