Prime Minister John Key has released details of next month's visit by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, from 2-5 November.

Prince Edward will participate in Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award ceremonies in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

While in Christchurch on Monday and Tuesday, he will visit the International Antarctic Centre and the Windsor House Retirement Community.

In Wellington, Prince Edward will attend a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister on Tuesday evening, then view the Whitireia Community Polytechnic Performing Arts programme and visit Weta Workshop on Wednesday.

On Thursday Prince Edward will attend a British New Zealand Business Association lunch in Auckland City and sail on the Spirit of New Zealand on Waitemata Harbour.

That evening he will be hosted by the Governor-General and Lady Satyanand at a dinner at Government House before departing for London.