Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro have paid their respects to the Queen in person as she lies in state at Westminster Hall.
Ardern also met with the Prince of Wales, speaking with him about his personal loss of a grandmother.
Through a side entrance, past the thousands waiting in line, the Prime Minister and Governor-General were the first foreign dignitaries to be invited inside Westminster Hall to see the Queen's coffin.
Eight days have passed since the death of the monarch, Ardern describing the experience as humbling.
"That hall is completely silent. I even felt aware of the sound of my own footsteps," she said.
Ardern and Dame Cindy remembered New Zealand's longest-serving head of state and after a few minutes, a curtsy to mark one of their final moments with the Queen.
"It feels in amongst those thousands that it is a deeply intimate space and an intimate moment to be a part of," Ardern said.
"I felt deeply humbled to be there on behalf of New Zealand and stand alongside all of those others taking the time to pay their respects."
Earlier in the day, Ardern met with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
"It was a chance to pass on directly the deep condolences of New Zealand to Their Majesties and a real opportunity to recognise of course that New Zealand has lost a Queen, they have lost a grandmother," she said.
Whatever else was said was private. The discussion was held behind closed doors.
Photos taken at the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Prince will only be released after Ardern meets with King Charles, it's a matter of protocol and an example of just how finely choreographed every minute detail is when it comes to the Royal Family.
That meeting with the King will happen in the coming hours.
When asked what her message for the King will be when she meets him, Ardern said "just how profoundly sad we are he's lost his mother".
"You can see in his public commentary the fact that he's deeply saddened by that loss but also having to transition into the responsibility that comes with that new role," Ardern said.
His deep affection for New Zealand was reaffirmed in a phone conversation with Dame Cindy.
"He said it's very close to his heart and he wants New Zealanders to know that he's very committed to New Zealand and he looks forward to a chance to come but he doesn't know when that will be," Dame Kiro said.
With the funeral just days away, Kiwi troops are on the ground to take part in the service alongside their counterparts from Australia and Canada.
A haka greeting the Prince and Princess of Wales when they dropped by for a visit.
"An interesting experience meeting their royal highnesses, they're very friendly, very approachable," Kiwi soldier Lieutenant Colonel Dean Gerling said.
"Prince William mentioned about his grandmother having a keen eye for detail and making sure we're ready and set for Monday."
The Kiwis said they'll be ready and it's an honour to be here with their Commonwealth compatriots.
And they'll do Her Majesty proud.
