A Whanganui River waka crew won't be dilly-dallying around with showing off their skills, in spite of carrying a royal passenger today.

It's cold and the current is particularly stiff as Prince Harry taken up the river.

Waka captain Ned Tapa says he doesn't think the Prince would want to be a dead weight - so he won't be.

"I actually carved him a hoe - an oar - so we're going to present that to him very shortly when he come down, and yeah he's going to get to work that as well."

The trip should take about half an hour.