answers: Queen Elizabeth II
context: Monarchy of New Zealand The monarchy of New Zealand is the constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of New Zealand. The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended the throne on the death of her father, King George VI, on 6 February 1952. All executive authority is vested in the monarch and her assent is required for parliament to enact laws and for letters patent and Orders in Council to have legal effect. However, the authority for these acts stems from the New Zealand populace and, within the conventional stipulations of </s> New Zealand title. The Royal Prerogative also extends to foreign affairs: the sovereign or the governor-general conducts treaties, alliances and international agreements on the advice of the Cabinet. The governor-general, on behalf of the Queen, also accredits New Zealand high commissioners and ambassadors, and receives similar diplomats from foreign states. In 2005, the Letters of Credence and Recall were altered so as to run in the name of the incumbent governor-general, instead of following the usual international process of the letters being from one head of state to another. In addition, the issuance of passports falls under the Royal Prerogative, </s> lives predominantly in the United Kingdom, most of the royal constitutional and ceremonial duties in the Realm of New Zealand are typically carried out by the Queen's viceregal representative, the governor-general. The role of the monarchy in New Zealand is a recurring topic of public discussion. The person who is the New Zealand sovereign is equally shared with 15 other monarchies (a grouping, including New Zealand, known informally as the Commonwealth realms) in the 52-member Commonwealth of Nations. The emergence of this arrangement paralleled the evolution of New Zealand nationalism following the end of the First World War and culminated
question: who is the head of state of new zealand