The enthusiasm of the large crowd and the obvious affection for the Monarch was very much in evidence that day.
That visit and the sudden death of Prime Minister Norman Kirk a few months later were the catalyst for an interest in systems of government that I still have.
I would describe myself as an ambivalent monarchist — supportive of the status quo but accepting of the reality that, at some point in the future (and not before the Queen passes away), New Zealand will have a conversation about whether our head of state should be a New Zealander.
While the simple answer may be yes, transitioning would be anything but simple, not the least reason being how we preserve the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi after moving away from a constitutional monarchy.
The Royal Family has had more than its share of issues that might cause you to question whether they are appropriate in modern society, but none of those events reflect badly on the Queen.
On her 21st birthday the then Princess Elizabeth gave a speech committing her life to the service of the British Commonwealth.
"I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong," she said.
Queen Elizabeth II has emphatically honoured that commitment.
Last weekend the Commonwealth marked the milestone of those 70 years of service with a number of global events celebrating her reign.
We paid tribute to a tireless servant of our country and the Commonwealth.
Happy anniversary your Majesty and thank you for that service.
