It is with deepest respect and affection that we remember HM Queen Elizabeth II. Steadfast, humble and wise, she devoted her long life to the service of the Commonwealth. During her exceptionally long reign, she was a beacon of calm and stability to the UK, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Commonwealth, no matter how difficult the challenges along the way. Queen Elizabeth combined a sense of duty and fortitude with lightness and humour with humility. Her reign saw incredible changes. The world has changed immensely from being a very class and racially divided world to wars, end of Apartheid, decolonisation, austerities, the rise of tv, rise of technology, recognition of Maori language and the freedom of mobility. HM The Queen has embraced change and guided us through with grace. Te Kōtuku, a rare white heron, is a name bestowed upon HM The Queen in Aotearoa New Zealand and symbolises the respect and how special she was.

Last night we came together at the London Rowing Club with the NZWA. To be together as whānau was comforting. A special thanks to Teresa Walsh and Rose Chandler from Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club who led us by sining Whakaaria Mai.

On behalf of the New Zealand Society I have written to HM The King and the Royal Family conveying our deepest condolences. We wish His Majesty's entire family all the strength and love during this difficult time.

We remember a devoted and selfless Queen, a working woman, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and great-grandmother.

At the New Zealand Society we mourn her loss and in line with government guidelines we will observe 10 days of mourning as a mark of respect. We will pause our social media and newsletters during this period to mourn her loss after which we turn to a celebration of her life.

I wish you all a respectful week ahead.

He kōtuku rerenga tahi – a once in a lifetime visit from the rare white Heron..

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord, your servant Elizabeth, and let light perpetual shine upon her: May she rest in peace and rise in Glory.

Long live the King!

Clarence

"I welcome the opportunity to speak to all the peoples of the British Commonwealth and Empire, wherever they live, whatever race they come from, and whatever language they speak..."

"That is the great privilege belonging to our place in the world-wide commonwealth - that there are homes ready to welcome us in every continent of the earth. Before I am much older I hope I shall come to know many of them. I am sure that you will see our difficulties, in the light that I see them, as the great opportunity for you and me... "

"If we all go forward together with an unwavering faith, a high courage, and a quiet heart, we shall be able to make of this ancient commonwealth, which we all love so dearly, an even grander thing - more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence for good in the world - than it has been in the greatest days of our forefathers."

"I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."

"But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it."

HM The Queen 21 April 1947