NZ lights beacon for Queen's Jubilee

New Zealand was the second of 54 Commonwealth nations to light a jubilee beacon as part of the four days of celebration. On the steps to the Tangi Te Keo Mt Victoria lookout a karakia began the ceremony when mana whenua ignited a torch in a short ceremony. Former Governors General Sir Anan Satyanand and Sir Jerry Matapare and Wellington's Mayor Andy Foster then took the torch to light the beacon A special choir then sung A Song for the Commonwealth, a piece specially commissioned with the chorus in te reo. In total more than 3,500 beacons will be lit across the UK and in the capital cities of Commonwealth countries Auckland's Sky Tower lit up in firey colours last night, the first landmark in the Commonwealth to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.