How Queen Elizabeth's death will be recognised in New Zealand

Queen Elizabeth's death will be recognised in New Zealand with a national period of mourning and a memorial service.

The Prime Minister and Governor-General were first informed, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Internal Affairs.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today that had discovered the Queen had died when she was woken by a police officer shining a torch into her room at 4.50am today.

New Zealand would now move into a state of national mourning.

This will continue until after a New Zealand State Memorial Service, which is expected to be around the tenth day following her death.

The service is likely to be held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul's and will take place after the funeral service in the United Kingdom.

"The New Zealand flag will be flown at half-mast from the announcement of the death up to and including the day of the funeral, except on Proclamation Day – the day the new Sovereign is announced officially when flags are to be flown from the top of the mast."

Condolence books will likely be opened at Parliament and the National Library, as they were following the death of Prince Philip, and by local councils around the country.

There will be gun salutes as appropriate.

Places will be designated for members of the public to leave flowers.

It is understood several events are planned, with finer details to be decided by the Prime Minister.

A proclamation ceremony will take place in the next day or two to officially recognise the accession of the new King.

King Charles' succession occurred immediately and automatically. Princes Charles, as first in line to the throne, is now King of New Zealand and New Zealand's head of state.

No formal action is required by New Zealand authorities. Under New Zealand law, all functions and powers of the Crown automatically transfer to the Queen's successor.