Credentials ceremonies are an important part of the constitutional and ceremonial duties of the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae.
Credentials are a letter from an Ambassador or High Commissioner’s Head of State appointing them as their diplomatic representative and Heads of Mission designate present their credentials to Sir Jerry Mateparae at ceremonies held at Government House throughout the year.
The Governor-General of New Zealand, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, undertook a four day visit to the Western Bay of Plenty region from 13 - 16 March 2012.
Sir Jerry Mateparae began the visit by officially opening the Tauranga Riding for the Disabled Indoor Arena, Te Maru o Ngāti Pukenga, and was formally welcomed to the region by the Tauranga Moana Iwi at Maungatapu Marae.
The four-day programme included visits to the Rena Incident Control Centre, Mount Maunganui College, a kiwifruit orchard in Paengaroa and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.
Government House Wellington will open its doors to the public again on the weekend of 17 and 18 March to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand.
On the back of an extremely popular Open Weekend in April last year, Government House Wellington will open its doors to the public for the second time, following the completion of its conservation last year.
The Open Days will feature entertainment on the North Lawn, and members of the public are welcome to picnic on the grounds.
To mark the first anniversary of the devastating 22 February earthquake, the Governor-General of New Zealand, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, and Lady Janine Mateparae, spent three days in Christchurch and Canterbury.
The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, and Lady Janine Mateparae, celebrated their first Waitangi Day as a vice-regal couple in 2012. A citizenship ceremony at Government House in Wellington was a feature of the Waitangi Day programme.
Kia ora. Nga mihi o te tau hou. Greetings to you all, for the New Year. It’s an honour as Governor-General, and representative of Her Majesty the Queen of New Zealand, to give my first New Year message.
The start of the year is a time when most of us take a break, catch up with family and friends and enjoy the long summer days. It’s also a time when we reflect on the year that was and look forward to the year ahead.
To view more images from the ceremony, click here
The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, visited Parliament Buildings on 21 January 2011 for the State Opening of Parliament and to outline the Government’s plans for the next three years.
To view more images from the ceremony, click here
The Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, confirmed the House of Representatives' choice of Speaker at a ceremony at Government House on 20 December 2011.
As well as confirming Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith as Speaker of the House, Sir Jerry Mateparae also confirmed the rights and privileges of the House and authorised Dr Smith to administer the oath or affirmation of allegiance to members of Parliament.
For more photos, click here.
The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, appointed the new Government at a ceremony at Government House in Wellington on Wednesday 14 December 2011.
During the ceremony, Sir Jerry Mateparae asked the Rt Hon John Key to confirm that he could form a government that would command the confidence of the House of Representatives, and once Mr Key confirmed that position Sir Jerry appointed him as Prime Minister.
Governor-General Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae today (29 November) released a new emblem to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II next year.
“Queen Elizabeth has been our Queen since 6 February 1952,” Sir Jerry said. “She continues to be held in very high regard by the people of this country. As her representative in New Zealand I’m delighted to release this beautiful emblem, which honours her 60 years as our sovereign.”
Queen Elizabeth II became New Zealand's Queen on 6 February 1952. To mark her Diamond Jubilee, a special section of the Governor-General's website has been created.
Find out more.
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