King Charles III officially proclaimed as New Zealand’s new king

The official proclamation of Charles III as Aotearoa New Zealand’s new king has taken place at Parliament today.

The local ceremony formally acknowledges the new king.

LAC Barbara Graham sang the national anthem God Defend New Zealand in te reo and English, before Parliamentary kaumātua Kura Moeahu offered a karakia.

Ardern said today that for 70 years, Queen Elizabeth served the people of Aotearoa New Zealand with unwavering duty.

“For the vast majority of New Zealanders, she is the only monarch we have known, and so upon her death we enter a time of change: one filled with sadness for her passing but also gratitude for the life she led and the example she set. We are forever grateful for her close bond to our country but it’s a bond and affection that spans across her entire family.

“King Charles has long had an affection for Aotearoa New Zealand and has consistently demonstrated his deep care for our nation. This relationship is deeply valued by our people. I have no doubt that will deepen.

“And so as one chapter closes, another begins.”

Watch the full ceremony here:

NZ Herald of Arms Phillip O’Shea read the proclamation in English.

“Whereas by the death of our late beloved Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II, the Crown is solely and rightfully come to His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George.

“We, therefore, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Members of the Executive Council, assisted by members of Parliament, Judges, Representatives of the Realm, and numerous other representative citizens here present, hereby proclaim that His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now King Charles III, By the Grace of God King of New Zealand and of His Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom His subjects swear their faith and true allegiance, with hearty affection; wishing His Majesty King Charles III a long and happy reign.

The local ceremony formally acknowledged the new king.
Photo: Mark Tantrum

“Given under the hand of Her Excellency the Governor-General, and issued under the Seal of New Zealand, this 11th day of September 2022.

“God save the King!”

Parliamentary kaumātua Kura Moeahu read the proclamation in te reo.

“Nā te matenga o tō tātou Ariki Tapairu e tino arohaina ana, o Kuini Irihāpeti te Tuarua, ka tika kia whakatauria ai te Karauna ki Te Mana Ariki, ki a Charles Philip Arthur George.

“Nā reira ko tā mātou, ko Te Hōnore Nui Cindy Kiro, te Kāwana-Tianara o Aotearoa, Ko Te Hōnore Nui Jacinda Ardern, te Pirimia o Aotearoa, ko ngā Mema o te Kaunihera Matua, i te taha o ngā mema Pāremata, o ngā Kaiwhakawā, o ngā Māngai o te Karauna, o ētahi atu Māngai Kirirarau tokomaha ko tā mātou he pānui atu i te aupikinga o Te Mana Whare Ariki Charles Philip Arthur George kia Kīngi Tiāre te Tuatoru, i runga i te Atawhai o te Atua, ko Ia te Kīngi o Aotearoa me Ērā Atu o Ōna Whenua, Rohe hoki, ko Ia te Upoko o te Kotahitanga o Ngā Whenua i Raro i Tōna Maru, ko Ia te Kaipupuri i te Mana o te Hāhi Mihingare; ko tā Ōna iwi he oati i te whakapono me te tautoko mutunga kore, ka nui te maioha ki Te Arikinui Kīngi Tiāre te Tuatoru, me te wawata kia roa, kia hari nui tana noho hei Kīngi.

“He pānui tēnei nā te ringa o Te Kahurangi Kāwana-Tianara, e tukuna ana i raro i te mana o te Hīra o Aotearoa, i tēnei rā, te 11 o Hepetema, 2022.

“E te atua tohungia te Kīngi!”

The New Zealand ceremony follows a similar ceremony by the Accession Council in the United Kingdom yesterday, following the end of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.

As part of today’s formalities, Cabinet met at 11.30am. An executive Council meeting has been underway, with the executive council including the Governor-General as well as government ministers.

Only invited guests will be able to enter Parliament’s forecourt, but members of the public were invited to gather on Parliament grounds.

The New Zealand Army at the official proclamation of Charles III as Aotearoa New Zealand’s new king.
Photo: Mark Tantrum

Last night Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke to her British counterpart Liz Truss, with the two leaders talking of the fondness for Queen Elizabeth in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, more than 30 Defence Force personnel are heading to the UK today, to take part in official mourning events.

As well as being the head of state, the Queen was also the head of the Defence Force and its three services – the Navy, Army and Air force.

The contingent will be marching in the funeral procession with the British Armed Forces.

Rehearsals for the funeral will take several days.

Deputy Contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Edward Craw said the Defence Force was honoured to take part and was looking forward to paying its respects.

The personnel will travel to the UK on regular civilian flights.

Britain’s King Charles III speaks during a meeting of the Accession Council inside St James’s Palace in London.
Photo: AFP