New Zealand will observe a minute of silence next Monday at the start of the State Memorial Service to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
The service is being held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul at 2pm on the same day as New Zealand has a public holiday to mark the Queen's death. Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will address the memorial, while the Prime Minister will give a reading.
"The minute's silence is a way for people, wherever they might be in New Zealand, to stand together to mark an extraordinary 70 years of service," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
"The State Memorial will be broadcast and livestreamed so all New Zealanders can take part. Parliament grounds in Wellington will also have two large screens, so people can come together there to watch the service and also have the opportunity to sign the books of condolence that remain available."
Ardern said guests at the service will include "representatives from a broad range of New Zealand communities and from organisations with particular links with the Queen".
"During her reign, the Queen came to New Zealand on 10 occasions and visited 46 cities and towns. We know in communities across the country, people will want to show their respects to a monarch who dedicated her life to service. She will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many."
The service will be led by the acting Dean of the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Reverend Katie Lawrence, and feature the Cathedral Choir and Voices New Zealand. A youth representative will also deliver a reading. Other church leaders and inter-faith representatives will also be present. Memorial services are also being held in Christchurch and Auckland.
While the Queen's formal funeral is being held in the United Kingdom on Monday night, the memorial in New Zealand will be a week later.
"We thought it was important that our Governor-General was back. She doesn't arrive back until Friday next week," Labour minister Carmel Sepulon told AM last week. "Flights are pretty difficult at the moment.
"Only a couple of days later the Prime Minister arrives back, so it seemed right to do it on a Monday and so that's it. It's just basically being practical with regards to the leadership that we think needs to be there."
Both the Prime Minister and Governor-General are in London for the Queen's funeral. Ardern will then travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
She's met with King Charles III, Prince William and other figures ahead of the funeral.
