The Monarchy Today > Queen and Commonwealth > New Zealand

The Queen inspects a guard of honour in Wellington in 2002. The Queen is Head of the Armed Forces in New Zealand and holds colonelcies in a number of New Zealand regiments
© Press Association

View a gallery of images of The Queen of New Zealand.

THE QUEEN'S ROLE IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with The Queen as Sovereign.

The Sovereign and the House of Representatives together make up the Parliament of New Zealand.

As a constitutional monarch, The Queen of New Zealand acts entirely on the advice of New Zealand Government Ministers. She is fully briefed by means of communications from her Ministers, and has audiences with them where possible.

The Queen is responsible for appointing a Governor-General for New Zealand, which she does on the advice of the country's Prime Minister.

This is The Queen's personal representative in New Zealand, who usually serves for a term of five years.

The current incumbent is Judge Anand Satyanand.

The Governor-General has three overlapping roles - constitutional, ceremonial and community-related.

Constitutional roles include receiving the writ that dissolves Parliament before a general election is held; formally requesting the leader of the political party which gains the support of a majority in Parliament to form a government; and assenting to the enactment of legislation.

Ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of Parliament; presenting honours at Investitures; welcoming visiting Heads of State; receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats; and attending Waitangi Day commemorations.

The Governor-General also provides non-partisan leadership in the community, acting as patron of many charitable, service, sporting and cultural organisations, and attending functions throughout the country, from Northland to Stewart Island, and from Fiordland to the Chatham Islands.

Although the day-to-day affairs of state are delegated to the Governor-General, The Queen continues to have a close and personal relationship with New Zealand and her people.

The Queen and Governor-General both send messages to members of the public celebrating notable birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

The Queen recognises events affecting in New Zealand - for example, sending messages for national celebrations or tragedies.


	The Queen inspects a guard of honour in Wellington in 2002. The Queen is Head of the Armed Forces in New Zealand and holds colonelcies in a number of New Zealand regiments © Press Association View a gallery of images of The Queen of New Zealand. THE QUEEN'S ROLE IN NEW ZEALAND New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with The Queen as Sovereign. The Sovereign and the House of Representatives together make up the Parliament of New Zealand. As a constitutional monarch, The Queen of New Zealand acts entirely on the advice of New Zealand Government Ministers. She is fully briefed by means of communications from her Ministers, and has audiences with them where possible. The Queen is responsible for appointing a Governor-General for New Zealand, which she does on the advice of the country's Prime Minister. This is The Queen's personal representative in New Zealand, who usually serves for a term of five years. The current incumbent is Judge Anand Satyanand. The Governor-General has three overlapping roles - constitutional, ceremonial and community-related. Constitutional roles include receiving the writ that dissolves Parliament before a general election is held; formally requesting the leader of the political party which gains the support of a majority in Parliament to form a government; and assenting to the enactment of legislation. Ceremonial duties include opening new sessions of Parliament; presenting honours at Investitures; welcoming visiting Heads of State; receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats; and attending Waitangi Day commemorations. The Governor-General also provides non-partisan leadership in the community, acting as patron of many charitable, service, sporting and cultural organisations, and attending functions throughout the country, from Northland to Stewart Island, and from Fiordland to the Chatham Islands. Although the day-to-day affairs of state are delegated to the Governor-General, The Queen continues to have a close and personal relationship with New Zealand and her people. The Queen and Governor-General both send messages to members of the public celebrating notable birthdays and wedding anniversaries. The Queen recognises events affecting in New Zealand - for example, sending messages for national celebrations or tragedies.
	The Queen of New Zealand's formal title is: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. In the Maori language, The Queen is known as Kotuku, which means "the white heron", a cherished bird rarely seen in New Zealand. She also honours New Zealand achievements at events in the UK - for example, holding a reception for members of the All Blacks rugby team at Buckingham Palace in 2005. As Head of the Armed Forces, The Queen holds colonelcies in a number of New Zealand regiments, and commemorates the service of New Zealanders in various conflicts throughout the past century. When The Queen visits New Zealand, she performs many of the duties normally delegated to the Governor-General - for example, presiding over the opening of Parliament. She also makes a pointing of travelling widely throughout the islands, meeting New Zealanders from as many different walks of life as possible. The Queen A biography of The Queen of New Zealand SUGGESTED LINKS Governor-General of New Zealand Government of New Zealand