Video file
Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament in 1954, during her first visit to New Zealand. Here, she reads the speech from the throne. The sovereign is the source of all legal executive authority, but she or her representative, the governor-general, act on the advice of the government.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Pictorial Parade 19. National Film Unit, 1954
Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.