Flags are being flown at half-mast across the country as New Zealand mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen died aged 96 at her home in Balmoral, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday (local time).
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the family said. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
Her death has sparked tributes from across the globe including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who will travel to the UK for the funeral.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage said flags across the country will now be flying at half-mast as a sign of respect.
"As a mark of New Zealand’s deepest mourning and respect, the New Zealand Flag is to be flown at half-mast on all Government and public buildings with immediate effect to mark the death of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand," The Ministry said in a statement on Friday (NZ time).
The flag should continue to be flown at half-mast up to and including the day of the Queen's State Memorial in New Zealand, except on Proclamation Day (being the day when the new Sovereign is announced officially) when the New Zealand Flag is to be flown from the top of the mast, the Ministry instructed.
"The flag is half-masted by first raising it to the top of the mast and then immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The half-mast position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The flag must be lowered to a position recognisably "half-mast" to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole," the Ministry said.
Newshub senior political reporter Amelia Wade told AM flags are flying at half-mast at Parliament already as a sign of respect for the Queen. Flags were also flying at half-mast on Auckland's Harbour Bridge.
Crowned in 1953, the Queen was the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-serving female head of state in history.
