Buzz from the Beehive
The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the flow of tributes from party leaders inevitably has dominated the political news this morning.
The critical constitutional consequence of the Queen’s death at the age of 96 is that New Zealand has a new head of state, King Charles III.
This was noted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in a statement headed PM mourns death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The statement concluded:
The new King becomes New Zealand’s new Head of State immediately on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
New Zealand’s representation at Her Majesty’s funeral service will be confirmed “shortly”.
Flags will fly at half-mast.
Further information about mourning observances will be available on the Governor-General’s website, at www.gg.govt.nz.
The Prime Minister expressed New Zealanders’ deep sadness at the Queen’s passing, describing Her Majesty as a monarch with an unwavering sense of duty.
“I know that I speak for people across New Zealand in offering our deepest sympathy to members of the Royal Family at the passing of the Queen. To us she was a much admired and respected monarch, to them she was a mother and grandmother,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“The Queen was a much loved and admired monarch, whose record reign of 70 years is an absolute testament to her, and her commitment to us all. She was extraordinary.
“People throughout the world will be feeling an acute sense of loss at this time and New Zealanders most certainly share that grief. The Queen was a much-respected constant through unprecedented global change.
“The Queen visited New Zealand on ten occasions, with that notable first tour over the summer of 1953-54 when she and Duke of Edinburgh visited 46 centres and attended 110 functions.
“She was here to celebrate with us at events such as the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games and the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games. She also mourned with us when we were hit by terrible tragedies such as the Tangiwai rail disaster and the February 2011 earthquake.
“I know a number of New Zealanders who had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty were struck by her keen interest, warmth, and sense of humour. I remember in my very first meeting with Her Majesty being humbled by her intimate knowledge of New Zealand and its triumphs and challenges.
“I presented her with a gift from a New Zealander who had kept a photo of her visit more than 50 years prior. She recalled where it was taken and even what had made her laugh at the moment the photo was taken.
“We will make arrangements for a State Memorial Service and many communities around the country will also want to show their respects and pay tribute at their own local events,” Jacinda Arden said.
Other tributes had been made – when Point of Order checked our emails and the Scoop website at 11.30am – by the leaders of the National Party, the ACT Party and the New Zealand Party and by a co-leader of the Green Party, Marama Davidson.
Catholic bishops had expressed their condolences, too. They said all Catholics in New Zealand would be mourning Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Anglican Church, and
“… a remarkable woman who was our official Head of State through seven remarkable decades. She had grace, warmth and commitment in equal measure.”
Another statement was recorded in the name of Lewis Holden, campaign chair of New Zealand Republic.
He expressed his sincere condolences on behalf of the campaign to the Royal family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The passing of a family member is always a sad moment and New Zealanders, regardless of their views on Aotearoa’s head of state, will send aroha.
New Zealand Republic will not be making any further public comment until after the state funeral for the Queen.
The Scoop website at 11.30am recorded these statements:
Latest Parliament Headlines
Green Party Statement On The Death Of Queen Elizabeth II
Friday, 9 September 2022, 9:11 am | Green Party
On behalf of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” says co-leader of the Green Party, Marama Davidson. “Beneath the title and ceremony was a mother, … More >>
National Party Mourns Death Of Queen Elizabeth II
Friday, 9 September 2022, 8:56 am | New Zealand National Party
On behalf of the National Party, I express our sorrow and sadness at the news of the death in Scotland today of Queen Elizabeth II, ending a remarkable reign and a lifetime of service. On the recent occasion of The Queen’s 70th Jubilee, I said … More >>
ACT Pays Tribute To Queen Elizabeth II
Friday, 9 September 2022, 6:14 am | ACT New Zealand
“On behalf of the ACT Party, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Royal Family for the loss of a true leader and matriarch,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered for her lifelong … More >>
PM Mourns Death Of Queen Elizabeth II
Friday, 9 September 2022, 5:52 am | New Zealand Government
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed New Zealanders’ deep sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, describing Her Majesty as a monarch with an unwavering sense of duty. “I know that I speak for people across New Zealand in offering our … More >>
Latest Politics Headlines
Universities Mourn Her Majesty And Praise Her Support For Higher Education
Friday, 9 September 2022, 11:24 am | Universities New Zealand – Te Pokai Tara
The Vice-Chancellors of Aotearoa New Zealand’s eight universities have expressed their sorrow at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and spoken of her support for higher education. Paying tribute to Her Majesty, Professor Jan Thomas, Chair … More >>
NZ Catholic Bishops’ Tribute To HM Queen Elizabeth II, A Woman Of Faith
Statement: Save The Children Devastated To Hear Of The Death Of Her Majesty The Queen
Friday, 9 September 2022, 9:27 am | Save The Children
Child rights organisation Save the Children is devastated by the news of the death of her Majesty the Queen. Gwen Hines, Chief Executive of Save the Children UK, said: “We are enormously honoured and grateful that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth served … More >>
Taxpayers’ Union Pays Tribute To Her Majesty The Queen Of New Zealand, Suspends Campaign
Friday, 9 September 2022, 9:24 am | New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union joins those around the world in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of New Zealand. “Queen Elizabeth was the greatest public servant in the Commonwealth,” said Jordan Williams, a spokesperson … More >>
New Zealand First: Passing Of Queen Elizabeth II
Friday, 9 September 2022, 6:49 am | New Zealand First Party
It is with deep sadness that we hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join with other nations around the world paying tribute to the Queen for her many years of extraordinary service. Respect for the British monarchy owes so much … More >>
New Zealand Republic Statement On The Passing Of Queen Elizabeth II
Friday, 9 September 2022, 6:39 am | New Zealand Republic
Lewis Holden, campaign chair of New Zealand Republic, expressed his sincere condolences on behalf of the campaign to the Royal family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The passing of a family member is always a sad moment and New Zealanders, regardless … More >>
Five political parties are represented in Parliament,
Four of them had issued statements which were recorded by Scoop at 11,30am,
Point of Order checked the Māori Party website and we googled “Te Pati Māori” “press statements.”
Nothing.
But the website did remind us of a statement the party issued earlier this year under the heading Te Pāti Māori file for divorce from the Crown.
Te Pāti Māori are calling to remove the British royal family as head of state, and move Aotearoa to a Te Tiriti o Waitangi based nation.
“The only way this nation can work is when Māori assert their rights to self-management, self-determination, and self-governance over all our domains. Our vision is for constitutional transformation that restores the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua in this country” says Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
“If you look at our founding covenant as a marriage between tangata whenua and the Crown, then Te Tiriti is the child of that marriage. It’s time tangata whenua to take full custody of Te Tiriti o Waitangi from the Crown” says co-leader Rawiri Waititi
And:
“We are here to be an unapologetic voice for a Te Tiriti-centric Aotearoa. To rebalance the scales of power in a Aotearoa and realise the partnership that was envisaged by our tupuna, tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti, in Te Tiriti o Waitangi” says Waititi.
“There is an new generation of tangata whenua and Tangata Tiriti who recognise that being forced to work within the system does not suit our struggle for mana motuhake. We are here to dismantle this system” says Waititi.
Another statement posted on the Scoop website today is headlined New Zealand Passports Still Valid Following The Passing Of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
This was issued by the Department of Internal Affairs and assures travellers that New Zealand passports continue to be valid, despite the passing of Queen Elizabeth II who appears on our passports as Head of State.
New Zealand passports are still current, valid and can be used for travel and as proof of identification. They will continue to be valid until they expire.
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Point of Order 
Jacinda…get your black frock out, ready for the trip the UK! from Trevor.
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