Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has written a condolence message expressing "aroha" on behalf of New Zealand, following the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
The Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Her Majesty the Queen, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 in the early hours of Saturday morning, the Royal Family announced in a statement.
A condolence book has been set up in the reception area of the Beehive in Wellington, which Ardern signed on Monday morning on behalf of New Zealanders.
The Prime Minister's condolence message reads: "With deepest sympathy and gratitude for a life of service."
Ardern finished it off with a message of "aroha" or love.
"My message was with deepest sympathy and gratitude for a life of service and just acknowledging that on behalf of all New Zealanders what it means to dedicate your life in a role that means you really sacrifice a lot in order to serve," Ardern told reporters.
"Obviously alongside Her Majesty the Queen, he gave a life of service. It's meant that for so many years he has dedicated himself to standing alongside Her Majesty the Queen in performing a role as yes a patron, but primarily a support person to her in the work that she has done on behalf of the Commonwealth and indeed the world."
Prince Philip stepped back from public appearances in 2017, just before Ardern was first elected Prime Minister, so most of her engagement with the Royal household has been with the Queen.
"My memories are primarily of him alongside Her Majesty in those previous visits," Ardern said.
"He came here with Her Majesty 10 times but himself upwards of four on his own, forging links with the Defence Force in particular, but also the Duke of Edinburgh awards through which he's connected to thousands of New Zealanders.
"Over the weekend I saw posts online of many young people who have held those awards - a snapshot of a few who met him - and you can see how meaningful that relationship was for them."
A National Remembrance Service for Prince Philip will be held in Wellington following the funeral in the UK.
A 41-gun salute took place in Wellington on Sunday.
