Prince William, his wife Catherine and baby George breezed into the capital on a strong southerly and seem to have charmed everybody they met.

The family were resting at Government House in Wellington this evening after a ceremonial greeting on the front lawn by kapa haka groups from the Defence Force and local school children.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in the country for nine days and will visit centres around the country.

After touching down in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 at Wellington airport's military terminal just after midday, waiting local and overseas media were given the chance for a decent look at the latest heir to the crown, with Catherine holding Prince George in front of her as she stepped off the aircraft.

They were met by the Governor-General's aide-de-camp Commander Richard Walker, Prime Minister John Key, his wife Bronagh, and Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.

Their arrival was met with cheers from hardy members of the public who had gathered near the security fence outside the military terminal.

Royal-watchers were happy to be lashed by cold winds and drenched by driving rain to catch a glimpse of the high-profile visitors as they sped by in their motorcade around the bays.

Not even a 20-minute delay to the flight's arrival, caused by stubborn, heavy fog that descended on the capital could dampen spirits of those.