Prince William was taken on a tour of Christchurch's quake-damaged central business district on Thursday.
He began his visit at the Christchurch Art Gallery, home to the Emergency Management Center, where he was welcomed by Civil Defence National Controller John Hamilton.
He was accompanied by New Zealand Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, who said the prince's visit lifted people's spirits at a difficult time.
The prince then toured the red zone, including the damaged Christchurch Cathedral, and met firefighters and search and rescue teams.
Prince William congratulated Defence Force efforts after the earthquake, saying staff should be proud of their efforts.
Meanwhile, Prince William and his fiance Kate Middleton have chosen the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal as one of a select group of charities in their royal wedding charitable gift fund.
The couple have asked that anyone wishing to give them a wedding gift consider donating instead to one of 26 charitable funds worldwide, including the quake appeal.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the gesture is a mark of great respect for New Zealand.
Prince William arrived in West Coast town of Greymouth late Thursday to meet the families of the 29 men who died at the Pike River Coal mine last year.