The Kiwi leader revealed her unusual present after meeting with Charles on day two of the Royal Visit to New Zealand.

On a warm and cloud-strewn day in Auckland, sunlight beamed onto the royals as they received a traditional Maori greeting on the lawns of Government House.

With Ardern and Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy watching on, a group of men and women performed a spectacular three-part welcome, featuring a 'wero', or challenge, where Charles picked up a dart from the grass, the 'karanga' or call of welcome, and the 'haka', or dance of welcome.

Ardern then met with the prince, opting for discretion on their topics of discussion.

"It's obviously practice not to give full disclosures around what's discussed in meetings with the royal family," she said.

"We had a fantastic exchange about issues particularly pertaining to the environment ... he's well ahead of his time."

The leader of the Opposition, National head Simon Bridges, was also granted an audience with the prince.

Bridges was more forthcoming, saying he was surprised by the extent of the prince's knowledge of local affairs.

"He's been coming here many times, since before I was born, and he really has a good sense of it, what is happening," he said.

Bridges - who describes himself as a "reluctant monarchist" - said Charles' knowledge extended to the passing of New Zealand's world-leading climate bill through parliament earlier this month, with cross-party support.

"We discussed a number of environmental and sustainability issues. He was aware of the Zero Carbon Bill and that National had supported this," he said.

While Ardern gifted the native trees, Bridges gifted a pot of honey gathered from a golf course in his electorate, just outside Auckland.

As Charles took the political meetings, the Duchess of Cornwall headed across town to participate in a domestic violence roundtable.

At lunchtime, the pair were set to stroll around Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, glad-handing royalists and rubberneckers alike.

The walk is one of just three chances for New Zealanders to lay eyes upon the royals during their week-long tour.

The day ends with a reception at Government House, hosted by the governor-general, featuring a who's who of Kiwi artistic, business and sporting life.

Australian Associated Press