New Zealand marks Elizabeth II's record

Investigative Reporter·NZ Herald·

9 Sep, 2015 03:21 AM3 mins to read

Queen Elizabeth II meets entertainers during her tour of New Zealand in 1981. Photo / NZ Herald

A monarch who has resided during one of the most rapid periods of change in history - New Zealand politicians have paid tribute to the record-breaking reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Acting Prime Minister Bill English has this afternoon put forward a motion to congratulate the queen on becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history.

In response, Labour leader Andrew Little recalled the time he met the queen at the age of 11, when she was on one of her 10 tours of New Zealand.

"She came to the bustling metropolis of New Plymouth...having an eye for youthful talent she came over and spoke to me...I did urge her that perhaps she would return...very quickly, hopefully, as we all got a day off school that day.

The Queen overtakes Victoria's record reign of 63 years 216 days today. Photo / Getty Images

"On a more serious note...the achievement of Elizabeth II is that she has reigned during one of the most rapidly-changing and dynamic periods of world history - from Churchill to Cameron, from the Turing machine to the Samsung 6, 7 or 8...from Elvis to Ed Sheeran.

"And yet after more than 63 years on the throne, the monarchy in Britain has never been more accepted, never been more secure and never been more respected."

The only monarch most living New Zealanders have ever known, Elizabeth took the throne at the age of 25 and is now 89.

Queen Elizabeth II eclipses the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria - 63 years and 7 months - more than a century ago.

Only four other British kings and queens have reigned 50 years or more.

Mr Little said the record would officially be broken tomorrow at around 4.30am and joked that the Government had missed an opportunity to allow bars to open early for the occasion, as would happen during the Rugby World Cup.

"It raises an obvious question as to why we haven't had legislation in this House allowing her Majesty's royal subjects in New Zealand to raise a glass of Pimm's at licensed premises at that time."

NZ First deputy leader Ron Mark said the party had portraits of Elizabeth on the walls of its offices, and took a pot-shot at those offering congratulations despite their republican ideals.

"Her reign was spectacularly kicked-off by the conquering of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing [Norgay].

"Her reign has seen 16 New Zealand prime ministers serve from Sidney Holland to our current prime minister, and she will no doubt see the swearing in of the 17th in 2017.

"As a party we proudly say, in defiance of those who would seek to remove the Union Jack from our flag as a first step to republicanism - God save the queen."

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell noted that Elizabeth was descended from Queen Victoria, on whose behalf Governor William Hobson signed the Treaty of Waitangi.

"Today in the House [the third reading of the Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill] we had a lot of discussion and debate with respect to the shortcomings of various governments over time and the Crown, to maintain the dignity and respect of that Treaty of Waitangi."

Queen Elizabeth II became New Zealand's monarch on 6 February 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. The tour of New Zealand by Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1953-54 was the first visit by a reigning monarch.