Queen Elizabeth II tours NZ
A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa
A pictorial remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II's ten royal tours to NZ from 1953 to 2002 - the first reigning British monarch to visit Aotearoa.
Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, Monarchy, Government, Royalty, Parliament
Queen Elizabeth II (born 21 April 1926) became New Zealand’s sixth British monarch on 6 February 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. She was the first reigning British monarch to visit New Zealand, which occurred over the ‘royal summer’ of 1953-1954. The Queen and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, have visited New Zealand ten times, with their last tour taking place in 2002 during her Golden (50th) Jubilee. Queen Elizabeth is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum (70th) Jubilee, an historic milestone which she reached in 2022. Seven years previously, she had surpassed the record of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria (1819-1901), who had reigned for over 63 years from 20 June 1837- 22 Jan 1901. It was announced by Buckingham Palace on 8 September 2022 that Queen Elizabeth had passed away that afternoon at Balmoral Castle aged 96.
23 Dec 1853 - 30 Jan 1954: First visit to NZ from a reigning British monarch
Queen Elizabeth II (born 21 April 1926) became NZ's 6th British monarch since 1840 Treaty of Waitangi on 6 Feb 1952
Auckland Libraries
The Queen's Commonwealth tour from Nov 1953-May 1954 included the West Indies, Australasia, Asia & Africa
The Royal Tour of New Zealand 1953 - 54
NZ On Screen
Queen Elizabeth's Christmas message included the news of the Tangiwai train disaster on Christmas eve
Queen Elizabeth reads the Christmas message, 1953
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
The Queen also opened 31st NZ Parliament on 12 Jan (a role usually carried out by her Governor-General)
Queen Elizabeth II at Parliament Buildings for the ceremonial opening of Parliament, Royal Tour 1953-1954
Alexander Turnbull Library
6–18 February 1963: The Queen attended celebrations at Waitangi & also opened Parliament
Auckland Libraries
Civic Reception for Queen Elizabeth II at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 1953
Auckland Libraries
Civic Reception for Queen Elizabeth II at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 1953
Auckland Libraries
The Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council was established as a gift to the Queen
Queen Elizabeth II and the arts council charter, 1963
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
12–30 March 1970: The Queen participated in the James Cook bicentenary celebrations & also opened Parliament
NZ On Screen
Māwai Hakona 1970; Gisborne; royal visit and Cook bicentenary celebration.
Upper Hutt City Library
Visit, HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, 1970
Massey University
The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles & Princess Anne, opened 36th NZ Parliament
Visit of Queen Elizabeth II, opening of Parliament and visit to Wellington Hospital
Alexander Turnbull Library
Princess Anne & her then husband, Captain Mark Phillips, & Prince Charles accompanied the Queen & the Duke
Princess Anne greeting equestrian riders, New Plymouth
Puke Ariki
The Queen also opened Parliament and attended the New Zealand Day events at Waitangi
New Zealand Day at Waitangi
NZ On Screen
Māwai Hakona 1974; at Waitangi for New Zealand Day; Royal Yacht in background.
Upper Hutt City Library
22 Feb – 7 March 1977: Visited as part of a Commonwealth tour to mark the Queen’s Silver (25th) Jubilee & opened Beehive
Palmerston North City Library
Queen Elizabeth II with Scouts
Palmerston North City Library
Royal visit, 1977
South Canterbury Museum
The Queen also officially opened the new Beehive on 28 Feb
Queen Elizabeth II opening the Beehive, 1977
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
12–20 October 1981: The Queen visited following a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Melbourne
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
JSPRO52-17-81
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
JSPRO52-13-81
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
The 1981 Royal Variety Performance was held at the Theatre Royal at Drury Lane in front of the Queen
1981 Royal Variety Performance
NZ On Screen
22 February – 2 March 1986: The Queen visited as part of a tour to Nepal and Australia, & also opened Parliament
Alexander Turnbull Library
Queen Elizabeth in Napier 1986
Hawke's Bay Knowledge Bank
1–16 February 1990: The Queen closed the Commonwealth Games in Auckland & also opened Parliament
Auckland Libraries
The Queen also participated in events marking the sesquicentennial of the Treaty of Waitangi
Queen Elizabeth II at Waitangi, 1990
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Sesquicentennial demonstration, Queen Street, 1990
Auckland Libraries
New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1–10 November 1995: The Queen attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Auckland
Alexander Turnbull Library
PD211-14-95
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
PD211-8-95
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Queen Elizabeth the Second and supporters, Wellington.
Alexander Turnbull Library
22–27 February 2002: The Queen's last visit to NZ was as part of the commemoration of her Golden (50th) Jubilee
Palmerston North City Library
In 2022, the Queen celebrated her Platinum (70th) Jubilee. She'd surpassed 63-year reign of Queen Victoria in Sept 2015.
Alexander Turnbull Library
On 8 Sept 2022 , Queen Elizabeth passed away at Balmoral Castle aged 96
NZ marked the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with a State Memorial Service & one-off public holiday on Mon 26 Sept
TV3
Source: 'Royal tours', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/queen-elizabeth/royal-tours, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 4-Feb-2022