Queen Elizabeth II made 10 trips to New Zealand during her 70-year reign, the last during her Golden Jubilee tour in 2002.
Queen Elizabeth is greeted by Māori elders at the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in Whakarewarewa near Rotorua in November 1995. Photo: AFP
Months after her coronation in early 1953, the Queen and her husband, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, headed to New Zealand where they spent Christmas and New Year’s.
During the nearly month-long tour, the Queen visited 46 towns and cities and attended more than 100 separate functions. The visit heightened interest in the royals, with crowds flocking to the public events. In Tirau, 10,000 people turned up to welcome her, and one woman even saw her 30 times.
The royal couple spent Christmas morning at church before the Queen’s Christmas message was broadcast, and they spent Boxing Day at the horse races in Ellerslie, Auckland.
The Queen, Prime Minister Sid Holland, The Duke of Edinburgh and Sir Eruera Tirakatene during her visit to New Zealand in 1954 Photo: AFP
On 12 January she opened Parliament – it was the first time a reigning monarch had opened Parliament.
A visit to Waitangi was added to the itinerary after it was initially omitted.
She returned in February 1963, spending 12 days in the country and attending Waitangi celebrations.
The Queen came back with her young family in March 1970, introducing Prince Charles and Princess Anne, before heading to Australia.
Queen Elizabeth during her first visit to New Zealand as Queen in 1954. Photo: AFP
The Queen and Prince Philip also attended the 1974 Commonwealth Games, held in Christchurch in January and February. The now-demolished QEII Park was built for the event. The royal couple took a motorcade around the stadium track and Queen Elizabeth presented medals to winners. She went to Waitangi events.
In 1977, she was back, this time to mark her Silver (25th) Jubilee. She was in the country from 22 February to 7 March. She visited 11 centres and opened the Beehive on 28 February 1977.
She made short visits in October 1981 (after a Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Melbourne) and from February to March 1986.
The Queen returned for the Auckland Commonwealth Games in February 1990, and officially closed the event.
In October and November 1995, the Queen was in Auckland for a summit meeting of the heads of government from the Commonwealth nations.
During her visit, she personally delivered an apology from the Crown to the Tainui people, which formed part of the Waikato-Tainui treaty settlement.
Queen Elizabeth II with Tana Umaga, then-All Blacks captain, during a special reception at Buckingham Palace in London in 2005. Photo: AFP
In 1997, she hosted the All Blacks at Buckingham Palace, and again in 2002 and 2005.
During her 2002 Golden (50th) Jubilee tour, she visited New Zealand from 22-27 February. She met with then-prime minister Helen Clark, governor-general Dame Sylvia Cartwright, Team New Zealand members and the late Sir Edmund Hillary, among others.
While she didn’t return after this visit, she has hosted New Zealanders at Buckingham Palace in recent years.
Queen Elizabeth, pictured with then-prime minister Helen Clark, meets with the Team New Zealand skipper at the time, Dean Barker, during her last visit to New Zealand Photo: AFP
In 2008, the Queen joined the All Blacks and then-prime minister John Key as they visited the ‘New Zealand Giant Rugby Ball’ near Tower Bridge in central London.
In 2013, she presented Prince Philip with New Zealand’s highest honour, the Order of New Zealand in the presence of Sir Lockwood Smith, High Commissioner for New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford meet with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2018. Photo: AFP
In 2018, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford were hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. More recently, she held a Zoom call with new Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, prior to her being sworn in. Prior to Covid, the investee would have visited a Royal residence, usually Buckingham Palace, with members of their family, to receive their insignia.
While the Queen had not visited New Zealand for almost 20 years, her children and great grandchildren had.
In March, 2011, Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, visited New Zealand to mark the Christchurch earthquake a month earlier and the Pike River mine disaster in November, 2010.
Governor-General Jerry Mateparae, right, toasts with Prince William, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prime Minister John Key as they unveil a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by New Zealand artist Nick Cuthell during a state reception at Government House in Wellington in April 2010. Photo: AFP
He returned in 2014 with his wife Kate and their infant son George. While here, the Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge unveiled a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, painted by New Zealand artist Nick Cuthell during a state reception at Government House.
In 2012, Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall visited New Zealand to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
In 2018, Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan visited New Zealand five months after their wedding.
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