Stamps, coins and a haka will mark Queen's 80th

New Zealand Post and the Reserve Bank will officially mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II with a special postage stamp and commemorative coins.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday that a letter had also been sent on behalf of the people of New Zealand to the Queen offering best wishes for her birthday on Friday, April 21.

"I extended warmest best wishes and greetings and congratulated the Queen on her milestone birthday," Helen Clark said.

"I also expressed the hope of the Government and people of New Zealand that the Queen will continue to enjoy good health for many years to come."

She said the Governor-General would also communicate her best wishes for the event and a special event to celebrate the birthday would be held at Government House in Wellington, on Friday.

"At 10.30am that day people of all ages will assemble on the front lawn of Government House to form a numeral '80', there will be a special message read out, a haka will be performed and there will be an Air Force fly-by."

- NZPA