Monarchy of New Zealand
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The monarchy of New Zealand is the constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of New Zealand. The current monarch, King Charles III, acceded to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022 in the United Kingdom. The King's elder son, William, Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent.
Queen Elizabeth II opening a session of the New Zealand Parliament, 12 January 1954
New Zealand Herald Extraordinary, Phillip O'Shea, reading the proclamation of accession of Charles III on the steps of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II with the New Zealand Cabinet, 1981
New Zealand Parliament
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The New Zealand Parliament is the unicameral legislature of New Zealand, consisting of the Sovereign (King-in-Parliament) and the New Zealand House of Representatives. The King is usually represented by his governor-general. Before 1951, there was an upper chamber, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The New Zealand Parliament was established in 1854 and is one of the oldest continuously functioning legislatures in the world. It has met in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, since 1865.
Chamber of the House of Representatives, c. 1900–1902
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the Opening of Parliament in 1963
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the Opening of Parliament, 13 November 1986