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The Prince of Wales was greeted by only a few dozen well-wishers who cheered as he arrived in New Zealand yesterday amid renewed debate over the future role of the monarchy in the country.

The visit has reopened discussions on whether Britain’s monarch should remain as New Zealand’s head of state. Some 53% of Kiwis are opposed to him becoming King, according to a television poll of 9,000.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, who has previously said it is inevitable that New Zealand will eventually become a republic, will meet the Prince during his five-day stay in the country.