- By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
On Friday, September 9, Kiwis woke to the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away peacefully after 70 years on the throne.
Like many people around the world, I was incredibly saddened and shocked to hear the news of the Queen’s death.
My sympathies go to His Majesty King Charles III and the entire royal family, as they mourn the loss of a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother.
For many of us, Queen Elizabeth was the only monarch we’ve ever known. She has been a stable and comforting presence in world affairs for the past 70 years and has been an anchor of stability during times of great change.
The global outpouring of grief and the accompanying appreciation for her life and service speaks volumes about the immeasurable contribution she has made to our world’s history and to New Zealand as our Head of State.
She has presided over many moments of significance and has not only accepted change and progress but encouraged it, particularly within the Commonwealth.
Her Christian faith was also deeply important to her and gave her a great sense of purpose. Duty, sacrifice and service epitomised her remarkably long reign and she crowned those virtues with grace, humility and a love for her people.
These values are not role-bound or time-bound but are choices that any individual can make. Queen Elizabeth chose to live a life of loving duty and we are all challenged by her example to do the same.
These past two weeks we have also witnessed the passing of the Crown from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III who is now King of New Zealand.
For New Zealand, the Monarchy is foundational to who we are as the Treaty of Waitangi was an agreement signed between the Crown and Maori.
This connection to the Commonwealth also means we are part of a large global community of countries which have similar values and histories, a connection will only become increasingly important in an ever-changing world.
While we mourn the Queen, the Crown endures and we now say, God save the King.
