Royal Tour: NZ Man 'Planned Manure Attack'

A man has appeared in court in New Zealand accused of planning to throw a bucket of horse manure over the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Castislav Bacanov, 76, pleaded not guilty at Auckland District Court to a charge of preparing to commit a crime in a public place.

He was arrested on Monday, about 50 minutes before Charles and Camilla arrived at the quayside in Auckland to meet hundreds of well-wishers during a walkabout.

The 76-year-old was remanded on bail on condition he keep at least 500 metres away from the royal couple, who are touring New Zealand as part of the Queen's diamond jubilee events.

He is due to return to court on November 27.

Charles and Camilla are on a seven-day visit to the Commonwealth country, the last leg of their Pacific tour which has already taken them to Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The royal couple took a break from official duties on Tuesday and are believed to have gone walking - they are known to be keen walkers.

The Prince will celebrate his 64th birthday on Wednesday in the New Zealand capital Wellington with some of the country's most prominent figures.

The heir to the throne shares his birthday with the country's Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae, and Bronagh Key, wife of the Prime Minister John Key, and the trio will be joined by 64 specially chosen New Zealanders also born on November 14.

During the day, the Prince will be given a behind the scenes look at the new blockbuster movie from Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, visiting a workshop that created special effects for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey .

The heir to the throne will meet Mr Jackson and be shown make-up props worn by actors including The Office star Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins - the lead role in The Hobbit.