The Queen's Diamond Jubilee - Governor-General's welcome

 

Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae

Kia ora and welcome to the Diamond Jubilee section of my website.

Queen Elizabeth II has been New Zealand’s Queen and our Head of State since 6 February 1952.  February 6 is significant in New Zealand history as it was on that day in 1840, that my predecessor Lieutenant Governor William Hobson co-signed the Treaty of Waitangi with 40 Māori rangatira in the name of Queen Elizabeth’s great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria.  The Treaty began the process of establishing New Zealand as a modern nation.

Her Majesty has visited our shores 10 times as Queen, meeting people from all walks of life and from all parts of the country.   She was the first reigning monarch to open the New Zealand Parliament, and made her Christmas broadcast for 1953 from Government House in Auckland.   She continues to be held in very high esteem by New Zealanders for her dedication to her duties, her work in promoting the work of charities and royal patronages and as Head of the Commonwealth.

In this section of the Governor-General’s website, you’ll find information about New Zealand’s Diamond Jubilee emblem and the terms for its use.  There is also a special feature on Her Majesty’s reign prepared by an historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.  There will also be listings of events to mark the Diamond Jubilee and, later in the year, information about the visit to New Zealand of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae
Governor-General of New Zealand