Queen's New Zealand funeral attendees congregate at meeting. O'Regan's comments come just hours before the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II that will begin 10pm today [NZ time] at Westminster Abbey in London. Despite the growing conversation debating removal of the King as head of state, O'Regan preferred retaining the current relationship with the monarchy for the moment. "Her majesty was a vibrant and keen intellect, well-read and well-informed about our own evolution within New Zealand and King Charles is of the same ilk. Addressing Kiingi Tūheitia, Ardern thanked him for travelling and said King Charles III had asked after the Māori King and was pleased by his attendance during Ardern's meeting with King Charles yesterday.

Source: New Zealand Herald September 18, 2022 23:12 UTC