The Queen Elizabeth II Lawn at Government House Wellington
To mark the centenary of the birth of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the North Lawn at Government House Wellington will be renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Lawn.
This historic space has long been a place of official welcome for visiting royalty and heads of state, and holds special significance as the site where Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh planted two Atlas cedar trees during their first Royal Visit on 15 January 1954, the year following Her Majesty’s coronation.
The Queen Elizabeth II Lawn will stand as a lasting tribute to Her Majesty’s extraordinary legacy and life of service to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. An event hosted by the Governor-General to unveil a commemorative plaque will take place later this year.
Memorial gifts to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in New Zealand
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II dedicated her life to serving the people of the Commonwealth, and maintained a deep connection with Aotearoa New Zealand and its people, visiting ten times over her reign.
As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of our late Queen's birth, we reflect on the ways New Zealand has honoured her legacy through memorials and gifts, symbolising the enduring relationship between Her Majesty and the people of New Zealand – as well as Queen Elizabeth II’s deep love of the natural world.
Queen Elizabeth Park, Kāpiti Coast
This 638-hectare stretch of the Kāpiti Coast was named in Her Majesty’s honour and officially opened during her 1954 Royal Visit, becoming one of the first regional parks in the Wellington area.
Diamond Jubilee Visitor Centre, Government House Wellington
Established for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Visitor Centre at Government House aims to enhance the public’s knowledge of the Governor-General's role in New Zealand history and public life, and to provide greater access to the heritage building and grounds.
QEII Trust and Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy
In 2016, the New Zealand Government contributed $1 million to the QEII Trust as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative, supporting conservation efforts across the Commonwealth. In 2018, a 17-hectare patch of Carol Whaley Native Bush was dedicated to the initiative.
Trees That Count
In 2022, the New Zealand Government made a $1 million donation to Trees That Count for tree-planting projects in honour of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. These trees are expected to remove approximately 22,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over the next 50 years.
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Path
Situated at the Lee Bay entrance to Rakiura National Park, and forming part of the Rakiura Great Walk, this walking path on Rakiura/Stewart Island was renamed to commemorate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Memorials to Her Majesty in the United Kingdom
The Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial
The United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee has announced plans for a permanent memorial to Her Majesty in St James’s Park, London. The gardens will focus on different aspects of Her Majesty’s reign, including a Commonwealth section and a tiara-inspired bridge, leading to a monument on the Mall.
Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial
A digital platform allowing people from around the world to share their own personal memories of Her Majesty.
