Monthly Archives: September 2022

Leaders both in New Zealand and across the world are paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. Video / NZ Herald / AP

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expects King Charles III will stay politically neutral, despite making his opinions known on several issues in the past.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan this evening, Ardern also said a time for an official moment of silence to commemorate the death of Queen Elizabeth II would be organised and released within the next two days.

She said it would be at a time when "New Zealanders will have the opportunity to really pause and join in nationally".

Ardern said she intended to go to the Queen's funeral and was waiting for the following days' official events in the UK to be organised.

Logistics would need to be worked out, Ardern said, as it would clash with her trip to the United Nations General Assembly.

Ardern spoke of the Queen's interest in New Zealand's current affairs and said King Charles had a similar interest.

"Over the years, [Charles' involvement in politics] has always been at the level of where you would expect a future king to be interested," Ardern told du Plessis-Allan.

As a prince, King Charles expressed his opinions publicly on climate change and a number of other issues, which was at times controversial due to a precedent for royals to remain politically neutral.

"[Royals] do have an interest in what's happening; current events and issues that are top of mind for New Zealand," Ardern said.

She said she had met King Charles on a "number" of opportunities, as recent as this year in Europe, where he had shown a "genuine affinity" for New Zealand.

Ardern said he was particularly connected to the country through his work with The Prince's Trust, a charity for vulnerable young people.

"I think about the times when I spoke to the Queen, it was during things like lockdown. Of course, when we've had members of the royal family, such as Prince William, it was in the aftermath of March 15."

Ardern said she was unsure of when she would speak to the country's new king, as he would be currently involved in establishing the UK's new government.

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Ardern expects King Charles to remain politically neutral - New Zealand Herald

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on a previous visit to New York. Photo / Supplied

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will fly to New York City later this month for an annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations, the UN General Assembly leaders' week.

The meeting was previously an annual fixture for New Zealand prime ministers, but Ardern has not attended in person since 2019.

This is not her first visit to New York since the pandemic, however - she visited earlier this year as part of her US trade mission.

Ardern will fly to the United States on Air New Zealand's inaugural direct flight between Auckland and New York's JFK Airport.

"I look forward to visiting the United States to meet with counterparts, and taking the opportunity to further promote New Zealand's reconnecting plan," Ardern said.

"It's an important opportunity to set out New Zealand's continued commitment to the multilateral system and international rules-based order. As the world continues to grapple with Covid-19, climate change, the Ukraine and geopolitical tensions, international co-operation is more important than ever," Ardern said.

While in the United States, she will co-host a Christchurch Call to Action Leaders' Summit, with French President Emmanuel Macron and participate in events to promote trade, investment, and tourism.

"I look forward to meeting with heads of state and global tech leaders to continue our important work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online," Ardern said.

Leaders typically use UN General Assembly as an opportunity to meet one-on-one on the sidelines of the main event.

Ardern has a number of these planned, although she has not announced with whom she will be meeting.

She will also deliver New Zealand's national statement at the General Assembly.

Ardern will also meet with the Motion Picture Association of America, a trade body representing the film industry, to promote New Zealand as a film destination.

She will also attend the launch of the Invest New Zealand campaign "Do Good, Do Well" alongside major US investment funds.

Ardern said Air New Zealand's new direct flight to New York was "an exciting step in reconnecting New Zealand with the world, and will bring a welcome boost for our tourism and other businesses".

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Jacinda Ardern to travel to New York for UN meeting later this month - New Zealand Herald

Jacinda Ardern is polling at her lowest level since becoming Prime Minister as cost-of-living pressures squeeze New Zealand households and the shine of her COVID-19response wears off.

New Zealand's last election was at the end of 2020 when Ms Ardern and the Labour Party won a clear majority something that had not happened since the country changed its voting system.

That election was undoubtedly the "COVID election", but analysts say next year's vote will be about the economy and Ms Ardern now has a challenger who is positioning himself as "the business guy".

In the most recent 1News/Kantar poll, support for New Zealand's Labour government had dropped to 33 per cent, which is behind the opposition National Party, which is sitting on 37 per cent.

Oneparty that gained ground was the right-leaning ACT, which grew its support by4 per cent.

That is a significant change because in New Zealand governments are usually coalitions and, according to this poll, the National Party and ACT have enough support to form government.

It is a huge shift from the last election when Labour won in a landslide, securing 50 per cent of the vote.

"On current polling, the left block, so Labour and Greens, and the right block, [which is] National and ACT, are pretty close," University of Auckland political analyst Lara Greaves said.

"It depends on the poll and depends on the day, so really our 2023 election is looking to be a very close election."

As always, polls are not perfect and some deflation of support for Labour could have always been expected.

The question now is whether Ms Ardern a leader who enjoys immensepopularity around the world can do enough to stay in good favour at home.

It might be surprising that a leader who has beeninvited to Harvard and onto late-night television in New York City could be losing ground, but Dr Greaves said New Zealanders had a different view.

"I would definitely say there's a discrepancy between brand Ardern on the international stage and what New Zealanders think," shesaid.

"We're proud of her being an international superstar wherever Ardern goes next, I'm sure New Zealanders will be proud, but currently looking at the government landscape there are questions if she would be the best person to lead us after 2023."

When Labour retained office with a sweeping victory in 2020, analysts noted Ms Ardern had picked up National voters who were in favour of the "fortress New Zealand" COVID strategy and who were "rallying around the flag".

In that election, New Zealanders who had never before voted for Labour swung to support Ms Ardern.

But there was always apolitical risk in moving away from eliminating the virus. And now the electorate is facing new issues and looking at what progress the government has made on old ones.

"[The election in] 2020 was all about COVID [but]2023 is not going to be 2023 is going to be about the economy, it's going to be about inflation and it's going to be about inequality," Dr Greaves said.

"In the case of Ardern, she's really staked a lot of her reputation on being anti-poverty and anti-inequality, and so it's really hard to have that moralauthority in 2023 when you're standing on the debate stage and actually inequality has gotten worse.

"We know from various indicators that inequality got worse under COVID and that it's continuing to get worse."

Like every government, New Zealand's is now dealing with the fallout of the pandemic and surging inflation.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has been lifting the official cash rate since October, but at the last update inflation was still above 7 per cent.

Wages are rising too, but not at the pace of inflation.

"Over the last year to June 2022, the average Kiwi household is spending between $70 and $250 a week extra on just the essentials, so food, rent, power, fuel, and a mortgage if they have it instead of rent," chief economist from Infometrics Brad Olsen said.

"At the same time, the average worker on the average wage, working a 40-hour week has earned an extra $92 a week before tax.

"People are definitely, in general, still having to pay out more than they are getting in their pay packet."

New Zealand Minister for Housing and Minister for Energy and Resources Megan Woods told the ABC the government had taken steps to reduce the impact on households.

"Earlier this year, we raised main benefit rates. We've introduced a cost-of-living payment for people earning less than $70,000 a year we've taken 25 cents off the fuel excise duty to lower the cost of petrol because we know that was impacting people, and we've also made public transport half price," she said.

Inflation might be a force Ms Ardern is unable to control, but Massey University professor of politics Richard Shaw said the cost of living would be "the single most compelling issue" impacting support for her.

"I think it's the thing that's really biting people," he said.

"If she's no longer prime minister after next year's election, at this stage, I would think that virtually everybody in this country would say it's because of the cost-of-living pressures that people are under."

Until recently, the opposition in New Zealand appearedineffective and plagued by infighting, but with Christopher Luxon at the helm, the National Party has been enjoying a period of relative stability andincreasingsupport.

"National has gone through a bit of a renewal," Dr Greaves said.

"National has framed inflation as the 'cost-of-living crisis' so they've managed to frame it not as an issue that's about inequality, but an issue about economic management.

"If Christopher Luxon manages to score points with the economics there and the crisis gets worse, I think that's a real risk for Labour."

Mr Luxon might be able to win points on economic messaging, but Dr Shaw said there was scepticism about his personal brand among New Zealandvoters.

"There is a lot about the National Party that we just don't know at the moment," he said.

"There's nothing substantive in a policy stance that's come out and there are a few signs of concern."

The Opposition Leader, who is a fundamentalist Catholic, suffered a drop in support in July when the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe vWade decision and Mr Luxon reiterated his personal position on abortion, telling the New Zealand press: "I have a pro-life stance."

Mr Luxon, with hisinexperience and limited recognition among the voting public, will be going up against someone with global star power and a strong track record of leading the country through events such as the Christchurch attack, the Whakaari White Island disaster and the pandemic.

Despite the polls, analysts say Labour will not be "hitting the panic button" yet, knowing Ms Ardern is a formidable communicator and campaigner.

The unprecedented result of the 2020 election was a signal New Zealanders were, at that point, happy with the Ardern government's management of the pandemic.

And the low number of COVID-19 deaths and the speed at which the country's workforce has recovered aretestament to the success of New Zealand's approach.

But to achieve those results, the government brought in some of the strictest infection-control measures in the world, including effectively closing the border to New Zealand citizens, mask and vaccine mandates, and level four lockdowns.

While a large portion of the population was happy to follow the rules for the greater good, Dr Shaw said that unity was now gone.

"Everybody felt wonderful about being part of the team of 5 million and that is gone, that's completely gone.Now, the team is just shattered and fragmented," he said.

"And now the far-right faction of New Zealand's political and social spectrum is much more visible and much more open about their dislike for Prime Minister Ardern.

"It seems as though there is a pocket of people who really hate her, like vehemently dislike her," Dr Greaves said.

"A lot of them are really into misinformation and disinformation."

Dr Shaw said these forces could impact the election next year.

"That will be the thing, I think, that will mark next year's election campaign. It won't be a blowout, it'll be close, and it'll be really, really nasty," he said.

New Zealand's next election is still about a year away.

As is the custom, the Prime Minister will announce the date for the vote sometime at the start of next year. The word is another Kiwi custom means polling day will usually not coincide with an All Blacks game.

Looking at history, it would be highly unlikely for a two-term incumbent government to lose, but Dr Greaves said there was an interesting series of factors at play this time around.

"In this case, given all those external forces, given inflation, given Labour's failings around housing, given all of their different failures, there is a potential argument there for National being able to take the government out from Labour," Dr Greaves said.

At this point, the only safe prediction is that it will be very close.

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Jacinda Ardern is losing support in NZ, but can the PM's international star power save her? - ABC News

By Lucy Craymer and Jill Gralow

WELLINGTON/SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the death of Queen Elizabeth as the end of a chapter in history, as leaders across the Pacific mourned the death of the 96-year-old monarch.

Following Elizabeth's death on Thursday, her eldest son Charles became monarch of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

"Young or old, there is no doubt that a chapter is closing today, and with that we share our thanks for an incredible woman who we were lucky enough to call our Queen," Ardern said in a news conference. "She was extraordinary."

Ardern said she was woken early to be given the news.

"I had a police officer shine a torch into my room at about 4.50am this morning. When that torch light came into my room I knew immediately what it meant," Ardern said.

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Queen's death was a loss felt deeply in Australia.

"Through the noise and turbulence of the years she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm," he said.

Condolences were shared from across the Pacific.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape said she was fondly known as "Mama Queen because she was the matriarch of our country as much as she was to her family and Sovereign realms."

The Queen visited many of the Pacific nations she governed in the Pacific during her 70-year reign.

"We were fortunate to have the Queen visit us ... and we recognise her incredible commitment to service," said Tuvalu's Acting Prime Minister Simon Kofe.

The Royal Family's official website describes how on visiting Tuvalu in 1982 they were taken ashore in a fleet of local canoes and then borne aloft and carried ashore.

MOURNING

Flags were lowered across both New Zealand and Australia. Australia suspended parliament, while in New Zealand politicians were expected to gather next week to pay their respects.

Story continues

Both countries are constitutional monarchies, with the British monarch as head of state, although the role is largely ceremonial.

But there has been debate in both countries for some time on whether to become a republic, with a citizen as the head of state. A 1999 referendum in Australia on becoming a republic was narrowly defeated.

The accession of King Charles stirred calls in the Caribbean for the removal of the monarch as head of state, which were echoed in some quarters in Australia.

"Now Australia must move forward. We need Treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a Republic," Australian Greens Party leader Adam Bandt said on Twitter, although he was accused by some supporters of being disrespectful.

The Australian Republic Movement noted the Queen had backed Australia's right to become a fully independent nation during the 1999 referendum, adding that it was "an issue for the Australian people and them alone to decide."

Commenting on the accession of King Charles, Sydney resident Katherine said: "He's been bred to do this his entire life."

"I think he'll do fine. I am a big fan of his son, William and his wife Catherine and their children ... I think that they have a place in our world, I really do."

Asked in a radio interview if the Queen's death takes Australia closer to being a republic, Australian Premier Albanese said it was not the time to talk about it.

"Today's a day for one issue and one issue only, which is to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II."

(Additional reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney, writing by Praveen Menon; editing by Lincoln Feast and Richard Pullin)

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'She was extraordinary,' says New Zealand PM Ardern as the world mourns the Queen - Yahoo News

The Prime Minister and Chris Hipkins should just apologise to the people of Northland.

Of course they owe them an apology.They let three women cross the border from Auckland to Northland. They gave them permission. And those women took Covid with themand Covid - back then - equalled a government lockdown.

Yes, it wasnt Jacinda and it wasnt Chris who signed off on the permission for those women to go over the border. It was some faceless bureaucrat in MSD. But it was the system that Jacinda and Chris designedand they are more than happy to take the credit for all the times they think their system worked, but they are not happy to take the blame when their system didnt work.

That region went into an 11 day lockdown. And that was on top of being cut off from the rest of the country by Aucklands border for months. Chris and Jacindas refusal to apologise to Northlanders for what they had to go through says to me these two have no idea what Auckland and Northland and parts of Wakiato went through. They sat comfy in Wellington for the entire duration of that Delta lockdown and border closure that went on for months, going to cafes and restaurants and being normal. They dont know how hard that was.

And they clearly dont know also how shady this looks.They knew at the time of the lockdown that it was a government problemand they said nothing.In that press conference at the very starttheyblamed the womenfor using "false information" to get travel permits.But they knew it was actually their fault. Chris Hipkins let it slip in an interview that "There was a degree of error in the approval in the first place".That was on day 5 of the lockdown.But that was all he said, in one interview that most of us wouldnt' have heard.So they let us all believe for 11 months that those women were to blame andnever corrected the record form what we can see. Thats shady.

So yes, they should apologise for the sake of the Northlanders who were put through that lockdown by a Government stuff up.And for their own sake, because if they dont, theyll just keep on being untrustworthy and act like they dont really care what happened to the people of Northland because their system stuffed up.

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Heather du Plessis-Allan: Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins owe the people of Northland an apology - Newstalk ZB

Given her job you would expect Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to know about many things, but she is still capable of springing a surprise.For example, while in Dunedin on Thursday she garnered a host of exclamations from onlookers when telling Predator Free Dunedin that having grown up on an orchard, her advice was that peanut butter laced with almond essence would be the best bait for its possum traps.

All successful politicians have to master the art of personal engagement and making a connection with voters, but Ms Ardern is expert at it.

After a turbulent month of politics with narrowing polls, rogue MPs, taxation missteps and division over Three Waters, spending a day with the prime minister is a salient reminder that she by far and away remains the Labour Partys strongest asset and the best and the way things are going at the moment possibly the only hope of it winning next years election.

The Predator Free Dunedin gathering, the first official appointment of a busy swing down south, involved her inspecting the trapping efforts of the organisation and its volunteers, and demonstrating a sure sense of footing on the undulating fairways of the Otago Golf Club.

Clad in a jacket Dunedin MP Dr David Clark had had to rapidly rustle up from somewhere to guard her against a chilly Dunedin morning, Ms Ardern cheerfully crashed through the undergrowth to look at traps and nesting boxes and learn how scarce birds such as the rifleman were returning to the city.

Later Ms Ardern gratefully received a collection of bird stickers she expected her daughter to plaster over the Premier House furniture in short order, and various books, including a copy of Dunedin student Oscar Thomas bookBirds of New Zealand the copy the author had given her on a previous trip had ended up being regifted to English comedian Bill Bailey.

It seldom takes long for the schedule for a prime ministerial visit to fall behind, but nowhere in her offices advisory timetable for Thursdays trip was written 20 minutes for photos and selfies even of past experience has taught that it probably should.

Ms Arderns second stop was Otago Polytechnic, for a tour around the building site of what will eventually become He Toki Kai Te Rika, the new trades training centre.

A couple of years ago at the same venue, then National leader Simon Bridges had to actively look for students to meet and greet ... Ms Arderns problem was when to try to put the visit back on track without leaving people disappointed.

Later she mentioned just how many of those students had been nursing students, and said she had urged every one of them to study hard as New Zealands hospitals, medical centres and GP clinics needed them.

The building site tour had been long planned fog had defeated a previous attempt to show it to Ms Ardern but few things on a prime ministerial schedule are there for no reason: the previous day Ms Ardern had made an announcement about the Apprenticeship Boost programme, and she made a point of singling out apprentices working on the Naylor Love site.

After a quick break for a bite and for briefings came the centrepiece of Ms Arderns visit, theOtago Daily TimesClass Act award ceremony.

Every prime minister has taken part in the ceremony since the awards began, and Ms Ardern had given particular thought to what she wanted to say this year.

It sounded personal and Ms Ardern later confirmed that it was: she had taken her speech writing teams draft and added her own emphasis about the significance of the past two years as she saw it for young people.

After another round of selfies and portraits taken with the award winners and their families, it was off to the airport for Ms Ardern after a busy day.

But the nature of the job is that despite all the planning in the world events still happen ... just a few hours later Ms Ardern was awoken to the news that New Zealand had a new Head of State and her planned trip to the United States next week would have to be reorganised.

Happily, no-one is above the law in New Zealand, as Taieri Labour MP Ingrid Leary found out when her oversized van was ticketed outside Otago Polytechnic on Thursday.

It was not all doom for Ms Leary this week though: she has just been appointed the deputy chairwoman of what is arguably Parliaments most important select committee, finance and expenditure.

Unlike some MPs, Dr David Clark has not taken advantage of the Speakers relaxation of Parliaments dress code and still wears a tie in the debating chamber.

The particularly eagle-eyed may have noticed that he has been wearing a new and special tie at each stage so far of the Plant Variety Rights Bill: a gift from Federated Farmers, it fittingly features a variety of seeds.

mike.houlahan@odt.co.nz

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Strengths on show in PM's visit to South - Otago Daily Times

The Prime Minister has spoken highly of New Zealand's new head of state.

King Charles The Third has now taken over Sovereignty, following the death of Queen Elizabeth The Second earlier today.

Her Majesty passed away aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, surrounded by family.

Jacinda Ardern told Heather du Plessis-Allan like his mother, King Charles has a real affinity with New Zealand.

She says during the times she spoke with the Royals, it was during things like lockdown, during royal visits and in the aftermath of March 15.

Officials are looking at options for a moment of silence.

The Prime Minister says they want to ensure it's a time when people can pose and take part nationally - and details will likely be put out in the next 24 to 48 hours.

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Prime Minister remembers meeting with the Queen, speaks highly of King Charles - Newstalk ZB

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

Leaders around the world have paid tribute to the Queen, with Joe Biden saying she was more than a monarch - "she defined an era".

As they did so, landmarks across the globe shone in red, white and blue or went dark as a mark of respect, and flowers and wreaths were laid at UK embassies where flags flew at half-mast.

The Queen's death was felt keenly around the world, but especially so in the 14 other realms where she was head of state.

Those nations, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica and other Caribbean nations, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, now have Charles as their King.

In Washington DC, where the American flag was lowered to half-mast on public buildings, the US president said "in a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons".

Mr Biden said she was a "stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy" who "helped make our relationship special".

In his statement, the president said the Queen "charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom" when he and the first lady visited last year.

"Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world," he added.

In New York, billboards in Times Square displayed the Queen's portrait, flowers were laid outside the British Consulate General, the Empire State Building was bathed in purple light and at Tea & Sympathy, a restaurant selling classic British favourites, people came for a cup of tea as a way of paying their respects.

"It's like your mum died, because we've grown up with her, and her family," Nicky Perry, the restaurant's owner, said. "I've had so many people turn up here today in floods of tears. Men. Americans."

At the US Open tennis tournament, fans and players held a moment's silence before the start of the women's semi-final.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada's longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"She was a constant presence in our lives - and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of ourcountry's history."

Speaking to reporters, he added that the Queen was "one of my favourite people in the world".

"I will miss her so," he said.

More on the Queen:A 'selfless monarch' who made Britain proudSix moments that defined the Queen's reignThe Queen's most memorable quotesA life of service in pictures

In Australia, plans were announced to illuminate the sails of the Sydney Opera House, but the Queen's passing also revived a longstanding debate among republicans on ending the country's association with the 1,000-year-old instution.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the Queen's "historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service".

"This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II. In her seven remarkable decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change," he said on Twitter.

"Through the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied an exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm."

Adam Brandt, the leader of the Greens Party in Australia and a prominent republican, was accused of being disrespectful, even by some fellow republicans, after he said: "Our thoughts are with her family and all who loved her. Now Australia must move forward."

In New Zealand, a performance of the Haka by a group of young people at the Auckland War Memorial was one of many tributes paid.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was woken up in the early hours of the morning by a police officer shining a torch into her bedroom to tell her that the Queen had died.

"When that torch light came into my room I knew immediately what it meant," Ms Ardern said.

She said that like many other people, she was feeling not only deep sadness but also deep gratitude.

Ms Ardern said: "The last days of the Queen's life captures who she was in so many ways - working until the very end on behalf of the people she loved."

Bermuda premier David Burt noted that her reign "has spanned decades of such immense change for the United Kingdom and the world".

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that since the Queen was crowned in 1953, she had visited the island every decade until 2002.

He added that the Jamaican flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings for 12 days in tribute.

Papua New Guinea's prime minister, James Marape, said she was fondly known as "Mama Queen because she was the matriarch of our country".

Tuvalu's acting prime minister, Simon Kofe, said: "We were fortunate to have the Queen visit us... and we recognise her incredible commitment to service."

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said: "Her state visit to Ireland in 2011 marked a crucial step in the normalisation of relations with our nearest neighbour. That visit was a great success, largely because of the many gracious gestures and warm remarks made by the Queen."

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower went dark at the stroke of midnight and President Emmanuel Macron posted on social media: "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation's continuity and unity for over 70 years.

"I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted: "On behalf of the Ukrainian people we extend sincere condolences to the @RoyalFamily, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

In Berlin, flowers and candles were laid outside the British embassy and Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "We mourn Queen Elizabeth II. She was a role model and inspiration for millions, including here in Germany.

"Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will not be forgotten. She will be missed, not least her wonderful sense of humour."

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, whose 50-year reign is now the longest in Europe, called the Queen "a towering figure among European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all".

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that "as the United Kingdom's longest-lived and longest-reigning head of state, Queen Elizabeth II was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world".

He added that she had been "a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth".

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he extended his condolences to Britain for the "irreparable loss" of the Queen.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to the Royal Family, noting that the Queen was the first UK monarch to visit China, in 1986, and added: "Her death is a great loss to the British people."

Pope Francis said he was deeply saddened by the Queen's death and offered his condolences to her family, including her successor, King Charles.

The pontiff said in a telegram to the King: "I willingly join all who mourn her loss in praying for the late Queen's eternal rest, and in paying tribute to her life of unstinting service to the good of the Nation and the Commonwealth."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times.

"She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life.

"Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of UK in this sad hour."

Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif said he was "deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Pakistan joins the UK & other Commonwealth nations in mourning her death. My heartfelt condolences to the royal family, people & government of the UK."

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said: "The Ghanaian people have very fond memories of the two visits she made to Ghana during her reign, and, on both occasions, we remember the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties."

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute, saying: "Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world. The Queen's commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example to the entire world."

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said: "The story of modern Nigeria will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth ll, a towering global personality and an outstanding leader. She dedicated her life to making her nation, the Commonwealth and the entire world a better place."

On European Union buildings around Europe, EU flags were lowered to half-mast.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter that the Queen had "witnessed war and reconciliation in Europe and beyond, and deep transformations of our planet and societies".

"She was a beacon of continuity throughout these changes, never ceasing to display a calmness and dedication that gave strength to many. May she rest in peace."

And European Council President Charles Michel said "she never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in a modern world with her service and commitment."

In Venice, "God Save the Queen" was played outside the Italian city's Festival Buildings.

In Brazil, the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro was lit up in the red, blue and white as the country announced three days of national mourning "as a sign of sorrow".

Former US presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and George W Bush were also among those who released statements.

Mr Obama said: "Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humour and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.

"Like so many, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty's dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service."

Mr Trump said: "She will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her country and her unwavering devotion to her fellow countrymen and women."

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'She defined an era': Leaders including Biden, Putin and Macron pay tribute to the Queen - Sky News