NZ currency

The Queen’s death won’t affect coins and banknotes in circulation in New Zealand, with those bearing her image remaining legal tender.

In fact, the Queen is likely to remain on $20 banknotes for many years to come.

The notes are manufactured infrequently and the Reserve Bank said it did not plan to destroy existing stock as that would be “poor environmental practice”.

The public will be notified when new coins and notes, bearing the image of King Charles III, are issued and enter circulation in the next few years. The Office of the Governor-General has also confirmed the annual holiday celebrating the Queen’s birthday will now honour the King from next year.

The monarch’s birthday has been celebrated each year in New Zealand on the first Monday in June, even though the Queen was born on April 21. King Charles III’s birthday is November 14.