Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8 September 2022. Read on to learn more about the connections she shared with New Zealand during her reign.
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The Queen Meets The Māori Queen, Dame Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu in 1995, Accompanied By Prime Minister Jim Bolger (left) and Minister In Charge Of Treaty Negotiations Sir Douglas Graham.
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library. Reference: EP/1995/4375B/33A-F
At the same time I want to show that the Crown is not merely an abstract symbol of our unity but a personal and living bond between you and me.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, December 25 1953
The Sovereign is the source of all executive legal authority in New Zealand, and acts on the advice of the Government in all but the most exceptional circumstances.The Sovereign is represented in New Zealand by the Governor-General. During Queen Elizabeth’s reign, 16 people held this role including the current Governor-General, Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro.
Visits to New Zealand
Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand 10 times during her reign.
23 Dec 1953 to 31 Jan 1954:
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Queen Elizabeth II opening Parliament during her visit to New Zealand, photographed at the top of Parliament steps on 13 February 1963 by an Evening Post Staff photographer.
Source: Queen Elizabeth II opening Parliament, Wellington. Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP/1963/0554-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22335510
Following her coronation in June 1953, the Queen visited New Zealand for over a month, during which she opened a special session of Parliament, laid the foundation stone of the Anglican Cathedral, and visited numerous towns and cities.
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King Korokī Greets Queen Elizabeth II At Tūrangawaewae On 30 December 1953.
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library Reference: F 135752 1/2
6 to18 February 1963
During this tour the Queen attended celebrations at Waitangi and the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council was established as New Zealand's gift to the Queen.
12 to 30 March 1970
The Queen participated in the James Cook bicentenary celebrations and introduced Prince Charles and Princess Anne to New Zealand. This tour marked the first 'walk-about' in a Royal visit, where the Queen did a walk-about of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) venue and met with ordinary people.
30 January to 8 February 1974
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Captain Mark Phillips, and the Prince of Wales, the Queen attended the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch and New Zealand Day events at Waitangi.
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Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, The Duke Of Edinburgh, And Prime Minister Norman Kirk At Waitangi On 6 February 1974.
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library Reference: EP/1974/0611/23A-F
22 February to 7 March 1977
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Beehive interior, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, with tapestries by Guy Ngan, during the opening of Parliament by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Dominion post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP/1977/0782/13a. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22883183
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library
Part of a Commonwealth tour designed to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee, the Queen opened the Beehive while here.
12 to 20 October 1981
The Queen paid a short visit to New Zealand following her visit to Melbourne for a CHOGM.
22 February to 2 March 1986
The Queen visited six centres in New Zealand. When in Nelson, she officially opened the road named in her honour, Queen Elizabeth II Drive.
1 to 16 February 1990
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The Queen’s silver relay baton from the 1990 Commonwealth Games held in Auckland.
Source: Parliamentary Service
The Queen closed the Commonwealth Games in Auckland and took part in the events marking the sesquicentennial of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Queen’s silver relay baton from the Commonwealth Games is held in the Parliamentary collection.
1 to 10 November 1995
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Source: Woolf Photography
The Queen attended the CHOGM in Auckland. During this visit the Queen personally delivered an apology from the British Crown to the Tainui people, as part of the Waikato–Tainui treaty settlement (click here to read an article on Māori and the Monarchy to learn more).
22 to 27 February 2002
The Queen visited New Zealand as part of the commemoration of her 50th Jubilee. While here, the Queen unveiled the consecration stone at St Paul's Cathedral, and visited Burnham military camp and Team New Zealand at their America’s Cup base.
Queen Elizabeth II and NZ Parliament
The Queen opened a special session of Parliament in 1954 (Parliament’s centennial year). This was the first time a reigning monarch had opened New Zealand’s Parliament. She would open Parliament another six times during visits to the country, with the last time being in February 1990.
In February 1977, the Queen formally opened the Beehive.
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Queen Elizabeth opening Parliament in 1970.
Source: Visit of Queen Elizabeth II, opening of Parliament and visit to Wellington Hospital. Westra, Ans, 1936-: Photographs. Ref: AW-0004. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/36407503
Messages for New Zealand
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New Zealand Was Centre Stage On 25 December 1953 when Queen Elizabeth Broadcast Her Christmas Message To The Empire Commonwealth From Government House, Auckland.
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library Reference: F 42173 1/2
Queen Elizabeth made her 1953 Christmas broadcast from Government House in Auckland. In it she said:
“But what is really important to me is that I set out on this journey in order to see as much as possible of the people and countries of the Commonwealth and Empire, to learn at first hand something of their triumphs and difficulties and something of their hopes and fears.
“At the same time I want to show that the Crown is not merely an abstract symbol of our unity but a personal and living bond between you and me.”
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Queen Elizabeth II wearing her New Zealand honours, including a Diamond Fern brooch presented to her by the women of Auckland in 1953
Source: Government House
The Tangiwai disaster had occurred the day before, and the Queen specifically directed a message of sympathy to the people of New Zealand towards the end of her broadcast:
“And now I want to say something to my people in New Zealand. Last night a most grievous railway accident took place at Tangiwai which will have brought tragedy into many homes and sorrow into all upon this Christmas day.
“I know there is no one in New Zealand, and indeed throughout the Commonwealth, who will not join with my husband and me in sending to those who mourn a message of sympathy in their loss. I pray that they and all who have been injured may be comforted and strengthened.”
Instead of radio broadcasts, in recent years the Royal family have issued statements to commemorate significant anniversaries, tragic events, or even to celebrate achievements for our country, such as the All Blacks' 2015 Rugby World Cup victory.
You can read some of these statements by clicking the following links:the Pike River Mine tragedy,the 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes,orthe 2019 Christchurch Mosque Attacks.
