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Cabinet has decided that New Zealand will have a one-off public holiday and state memorial service to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The one-off holiday will be held on Monday 26 September. There will be no trade restrictions.
In a statement, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said many New Zealanders would appreciate the opportunity to both mark her death and celebrate her life.
“The State Memorial Service will be held in the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on the same day, Monday 26 September, and will be televised and live streamed.
“I know many people will want the opportunity to pay their respects and the public holiday offers communities around the country the ability to come together and pay tribute at local events also…
“I think ultimately though this is historic. We are not going to see in many people’s lifetime a change in our head of state. This is one day, a one-off, and a chance for New Zealanders to just take pause and acknowledge the contribution.”
It was appropriate to mark the life of New Zealand’s much loved Sovereign with a dedicated public holiday and State Memorial Service, Ardern said.
It was in keeping with an historic event and in line with the UK and Australia, which were having similar holidays, she said.
On the public holiday for the Queen’s death overlapping with the South Canterbury anniversary, Ardern said she was aware of the clash and it had been looked into.
“This has occurred before, I believe in 2011. So the legislation dictates that only one public holiday occurs at that time. We have asked MBIE to reach out to the local leadership in South Canterbury because they do have the ability should they choose to move or celebrate their day on another day.
“We discussed it at Cabinet, we were concerned about that too, but that advice is being passed on as we speak.”
Ardern also confirmed she would represent New Zealand, alongside the governor-general, at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. Ardern will depart New Zealand on Wednesday 14 September.
She said her trip to the UK would offer an opportunity to pay respects on behalf of New Zealand and would also be a chance to connect with those in the wider family.
The Queen died on Friday (NZT) and will lie in state for four days before her funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, 19 September, which will be a public holiday in Britain, officials announced.
BusinessNZ this morning said it did not support a public holiday to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II because it would be costly for businesses which had already suffered losses from the pandemic.
Australia has already confirmed its one-off public holiday for the National Day of Mourning on 22 September.
Condolence books are available around the country for people who want to pay tribute following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The official proclamation of Charles III as Aotearoa New Zealand’s new king has took place at Parliament yesterday.
Source: rnz.co.nz Republished by arrangement.