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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
By law, Charles became King of New Zealand immediately upon Queen Elizabeths death; the formalities on Sunday will simply acknowledge his ascension.<\/p>\n
Kiro and Jacinda Ardern, New Zealands prime minister, are expected to travel to London next week for the Queens funeral on 18 September.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And the countrys Reserve Bank said Queen Elizabeths face would remain on the countrys notes and coins for years.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The 16th Field Regiment will fire 96 rounds one round for every year of Her Majestys life.<\/p>\n
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New Zealands period of mourning for the Queen, and what comes next - The Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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. Continue reading