A number of New Zealanders are invited to attend the coronation at Westminster Abbey, including our Prime Minister, opposition leader Christopher Luxon, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, All Black legend Richie McCaw as an Order of New Zealand representative, Willie Apiata as a Victoria Cross for New Zealand representative and New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Phil Goff.
But while most Kiwis will be almost 20,000km away from London, there is plenty of coronation action happening here in Aotearoa that you can get involved in!
Willie Apiata will be in London for the coronation.
Official National Event
Members of the public are encouraged to attend events in their local communities, with a national event to be held on the lawn beneath the Auckland War Memorial Museum at the Auckland Domain at 1pm on Sunday May 7. There will be family-friendly celebrations with performances, free ice cream and sapling giveaways.
Tree Planting
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that New Zealand will donate $1 million to Trees That Count, and through a partnership with the charity and the Department of Conservation will plant more than 100,000 trees.
“This donation will create a living legacy to benefit all New Zealanders, provide more resilience against climate change and aligns with King Charles’ lifelong interest in environmental conservation,” explains Chris.
Called He Rā Rākau Tītapu – King Charles III Coronation Plantings – the PM marked its start by planting a to¯tara sapling on Parliament grounds last week. Over the weekend, local councils will also plant a ceremonial native tree. Visit treesthatcount.co.nz for info.
New Zealand Lights Up
Significant buildings and landmarks are also set to be lit in purple lights over the weekend.
These include:
Auckland
• Vector Lights on Auckland’s Harbour Bridge
• Sky Tower
• Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath
• Auckland War Memorial Museum
• Eden Park
• PwC Tower, Commercial Bay
• Westfield, Newmarket
• Civic Theatre
• Aotea Centre
• Viaduct Harbour
Wellington
• Parliament Buildings
• Michael Fowler Centre
• Wellington East Girls’ College
Check with your council for events in your area.
Gun Salutes
In fitting form, the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be acknowledged with gun salutes by the New Zealand Defence Force from Devonport in Auckland and Point Jerningham in Wellington at midday, Sunday, May 7.
Commemorative Items
For those keen to mark the occasion with a collectors’ item, New Zealand Post has stamps and coins available for purchase.
