The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in New Zealand with Prince George for the start of their trip Down Under.

It is the first royal tour for the baby prince who is just eight months old.

The airport at Wellington was shrouded in mist and drizzly rain as William and Kate descended the steps of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) plane.

At times, gusts of wind threatened to lift up Kate's coat.

The royal guests were greeted by John Key, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Mayor of Wellington Celia Wade-Brown and other dignitaries.

The Duchess of Cambridge was wearing a scarlet coat by designer Catherine Walker, and a matching hat by Gina Foster.

In honour of her hosts she also wore a silver fern brooch, a symbol of New Zealand, which she had borrowed from the Queen.

It had been a present to the monarch from the women of Auckland during her 1953-54 Commonwealth tour.

William wore a suit, and George, carried by his mother, had on a cream cardigan, white shorts and matching shoes.

They then left the airport for an official ceremony at Government House, where they received a traditional Maori welcome.

Mr Key tweeted: "The Royals have landed in Wellington. Let's make them very welcome, New Zealand."

 According to the New Zealand High Commissioner to London, Sir Lockwood Smith, the visit is right at the top of Kate's 'bucket list'.

"I met the Duchess of Cambridge at a garden party at Buckingham Palace when she was pregnant with Prince George," he said.

"I said to her that I'd love her to come to New Zealand and she said: 'Well, there's a little matter I have to deal with first of course but I have to say coming to New Zealand is top of my bucket list.' And now she's finally making the trip."

The royal party had travelled on a scheduled Qantas flight from Heathrow airport, via Dubai, to Sydney where they transferred to the military aircraft.

As they changed planes, William was spotted holding a small kangaroo back pack, which may have been given to Prince George as a gift.

Available for £7 on the website of the Australian Koala Foundation, a conservation group, it had soon sold out.