New Zealands period of mourning for the Queen, and what comes next – The Guardian

Most New Zealanders have never witnessed a change of monarch in their lifetimes, and the ascension of a new head of state has prompted questions about how the country will mourn Queen Elizabeth II and what will change under King Charles III.

The country has entered a period of mourning that is likely to last for a fortnight, says the governor-general, Dame Cindy Kiro, who is the crowns representative in New Zealand. But it will not be marked by business closures, canceled events or a public holiday.

A national memorial service is at least 10 days away, and will follow the Queens funeral in the UK. Flags at government buildings will fly at half-mast until the period of mourning is over.

The exception will be on Sunday, when flags will fly at full-mast during a proclamation day for the King that will be marked by a ceremony in the capital, Wellington.

By law, Charles became King of New Zealand immediately upon Queen Elizabeths death; the formalities on Sunday will simply acknowledge his ascension.

Kiro and Jacinda Ardern, New Zealands prime minister, are expected to travel to London next week for the Queens funeral on 18 September.

New Zealand is among a minority of Commonwealth nations 15 of 54 to still have the British monarch as its head of state. On Friday, the governor general emphasised a list of what would not change under a new king; oaths taken by officials were still valid, and the same flag, passports, emblem, anthem, and governance arrangements would remain, Kiros website said.

The biggest shift for many New Zealanders will be the change in name of the public holiday they have marked since 1953 from Queens Birthday to Kings Birthday.

The date wont alter; Kings Birthday will still be marked on the Monday after the first weekend in June, according to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

And the countrys Reserve Bank said Queen Elizabeths face would remain on the countrys notes and coins for years.

It will be several years before we need to introduce coins featuring King Charles the Third, and longer until stocks of $20 notes are exhausted, the central bank said in a statement, referring to the currency items that bear the Queens face.

During the mourning period, New Zealanders can pay their respects at condolence books laid out at locations throughout the country, or leave flowers at parliament. A gun salute will mark the Queens death in Wellington on Friday evening.

The 16th Field Regiment will fire 96 rounds one round for every year of Her Majestys life.

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New Zealands period of mourning for the Queen, and what comes next - The Guardian