The South African High Commissioner to New Zealand, Zodwa Lallie, says New Zealanders' obvious love and respect for Nelson Mandela is comforting her and other South Africans here.
A number of events are planned or under way in New Zealand to commemorate the life of Mr Mandela, who died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday night, aged 95.
Nelson Mandela greets supporters at an African National Congress (ANC) election rally in 2009. Photo: AFP
Ms Lallie says South Africans in New Zealand are "being embraced" with messages of condolences, support and an outpouring of love. Because of the vigorous anti-apartheid movement in New Zealand, she says, the new South Africa and this country have very strong, very cordial bonds.
Ms Lallie says her own presence in New Zealand honours the former president's memory. "Without the liberation that was brought by Nelson Mandela and his comrades," she says, "I would not be standing here in Wellington, a black woman who was born during apartheid, representing South Africa in my official capacity."
Former prime minister Helen Clark says there is no reason South Africa should change for the worse now that Mr Mandela has died. She says it's a very different country from the one he inherited when he became its first freely elected president in 1994: it now has a state-of-the-art constitution that guarantees equality, a strong independent judiciary and robust institutions.
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir Don McKinnon says Mr Mandela was generous and genuine on the several occasions they met, and even gave him advice on how to deal with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.
Sir Don says Mr Mandela was a leader who overcame the most difficult circumstances and left the world a better place than he found it.
Auckland deputy mayor Penny Hulse, who grew up in Cape Town at a time when Mr Mandela was imprisoned on nearby Robben Island, says he was a beacon for necessary political change and when the first free elections were held in South Africa, it was the first time she felt proud to be South African.
NZ events to honour Mandela
From Monday, a book of remembrance will be available for people to sign at the South African High Commission in Wellington. A condolence book is available for signing at Parliament until 13 December.
At the national museum Te Papa in Wellington this weekend there are two memorial spaces set up in Mr Mandela's memory and a memorial book for people to sign.
The exterior of the Auckland War Memorial Museum was being lit in the colours of the South African flag for three nights from Friday as a tribute to Mr Mandela's achievements.
The South African High Commission says commemoration ceremonies are planned for Wellington and Christchurch. Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral has been asked by the South African consulate to host a memorial service - date and time yet to be announced.