On Friday, 3 June, we gathered in Wellington at the Cathedral of St Paul in a service of celebration to mark the Queen's platinum jubilee. I reflected at that time on the words of Prime Minister Sidney Holland and the fact that they proved to be prophetic. But even he may not have dared assume that he would experience the same sense of comfort and stability through challenge, through tragedy, and through change that has been provided by Her Majesty. This is the first time a British monarch has reached the milestone of 70 years, a platinum jubilee, and we acknowledge and celebrate her service with a sense of awe, reverence, and gratitude.