The Royal Titles Act 1974 changed the official title of the Queen of New Zealand to "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith". Elizabeth II's original title in New Zealand described her as "Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".

Royal Titles Act 1974
New Zealand Parliament
Passed1974
CommencedImmediate
Introduced byNorman Kirk
Related legislation
Royal Titles Act 1953
Status: Current legislation

The Act was part of a programme of nationalism on the part of the third Labour government. However it was unanimously supported in parliament and, unusually, all three stages of the bill were passed in a single sitting.

Debates edit

  • New Zealand Parliamentary Debates vol.389, pp. 1–3.

References edit