National Party Leader Christopher Luxon says Queen Elizabeth's death is a tragedy but will also create a new pathway for the country.
The Queen died aged 96 at her Balmoral home on Thursday afternoon (local time).
Speaking with Newshub Nation on Saturday (NZ time), Luxon said her death is a "tremendous loss".
"It's a tremendous passing and a tremendous loss that we will be feeling but equally it's a new beginning for King Charles and as you've seen everything just continues through," he said.
When asked whether he thought New Zealand should leave the monarchy, he said it's not something people are thinking about at the moment.
"I visit two or three towns in New Zealand every week, it just isn't a topic of conversation that comes up. I appreciate at times like this we start thinking about having these conversations but there actually isn't a real desire for the conversation or to make any changes to the constitution arrangements."
He said people are more fixated on things like the cost of living crisis, housing, healthcare and education.
Watch the full Newshub Nation interview with Christopher Luxon above.
