On Tuesday, parliament abandoned its business to instead consider a motion on the death of Prince Philip.

Potential protests from the anti-monarchy Maori Party did not eventuate, with its co-leaders not coming to Wellington for the occasion.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led tributes for the Duke, who visited Aotearoa 14 times across six decades.

"Prince Philip will probably be best remembered in New Zealand for the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award, which provides life-changing opportunities for young people," she said.

"Achieving the award has been a transformative experience for many, including in prisons, teen parent units, refugee centres and well over 300 schools.

"Together, the 250,000 who have received an award form an enduring legacy of His Royal Highness in New Zealand."

Ms Collins became emotional while reciting one of the Duke's speeches to highlight his family's enduring battle against facism and nazism.

"It is a privilege to stand here today and recognise and give thanks for the life of His Royal Highness Prince Philip," she said, her voice quavering.

"I thank him for his service. I thank him for his courage. I thank him for being outspoken and I thank him for his wit. Rest in peace."

Green party co-leader James Shaw kept his contribution to less than a minute, quoting Prince William in saying "I know he would want us to get on with the job".

Outside the chamber, Mr Shaw told AAP he didn't agree with the abandonment of parliamentary business.

"I don't think it was an edification of Prince Philip or in the service of the country to suspend the House," he said.

Greens co-leader Marama Davidson, who is Maori, did not attend, but a party spokeswoman said that was due to illness.

Maori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer was at a funeral on Tuesday and Rawiri Waititi was leading a ceremony in his electorate.

A spokesman said it should not be seen as a boycott but the prioritisation of communities.

The death of Prince Philip has been treated with great reverence in New Zealand, despite his record of gaffes and racist statements.

The Royal family is seen as New Zealand's colonising force and many Maori believe it has betrayed the country's foundational Waitangi Treaty, signed in 1840 between Maori tribes and the Crown.

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, who led the parliament in song as is traditional in New Zealand, said Tuesday was "a time to mourn".

"He's a father and a grandfather and he's human. We recognise his contribution," she said.

Ms Collins said the Duke of Edinburgh should be remembered as a "man of his time".

"Over those years peoples' views about what is funny and what's not funny have certainly changed," she said.

"There would have been some things that he said that he might well have regretted.

"But ultimately in the round he certainly added to our world rather than take away from it."

Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul will host a memorial service on April 21.

Australian Associated Press