It looks like Prince William is getting himself prepared for a trip to New Zealand early next year. According to reports from bbc.co.uk, the 27-year old prince will be visiting the country in his first official trip representing the Queen.

The prince will be paying a visit to Auckland and Wellington in January next year, before he makes an unofficial trip to Australia. It is during the visit to Wellington, that William will represent the Queen and open the new Supreme Court building there.

This will be the first time that William, who is second-in-line to the throne, has visited Australia since he was a child. And it looks like the last time the prince visited New Zealand, was back in 2005, for the British Lions’ rugby tour.

Prince William’s trip to Australia will only be a short three-day visit, where he will visit Sydney and Melbourne. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that Prince William will use the trip, as a way to get to know Australia and its people.