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.”
To the Governor-General of New Zealand:
I was delighted to learn of New Zealand's victory in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. As one of the many who has admired the extraordinary fortitude of New Zealand's people in the face of recent disaster, I am so glad to know how much pleasure the All Blacks' victory has brought to the entire nation. Please convey to the team and management my warmest congratulations on their outstanding achievement.
ELIZABETH R
Presenting a short film covering the State Swearing-in of New Zealand's 20th Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae.
From 29 September – 3 October 2011 eleven ships of the RNZN assembled at Wellington to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of King George VI granting our Naval Forces his royal recognition.
Events over the weekend included the changing of the RNZN Queen’s Colours at Parliament, a street parade of more than 300 sailors down Lambton Quay, an Anniversary Church Service at the Cathedral of St Paul and, open days onboard ships berthed at Lambton Harbour.
Government House has today issued a special honours list, recognising the acts of gallantry of four members of the New Zealand Defence Force.
Today's awards comprise one New Zealand Gallantry Star, two New Zealand Gallantry Decorations, and one New Zealand Gallantry Medal.
For more detail, click here.
The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, has issued a message to reflect on the year that has passed since the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
Early in the morning on 4 September 2010, a violent earthquake shook Christchurch and Canterbury. No lives were lost, but the tragedy and devastation that would unfold in the coming 12 months, could not be imagined. On that very same day, nine lives were lost in an aircraft accident at Fox Glacier on the West Coast.
Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae will be sworn in as Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Realm of New Zealand today (Wednesday 31 August 2011). The ceremony will take place (weather permitting) on the steps of Parliament House from 11.30am. Members of the public are invited to view this special State occasion from the lawn in front of Parliament House.
The death of Sir Paul Reeves was a great loss to his family and to New Zealand, says the Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand.
"Sir Paul Reeves was a great New Zealander whose death will be mourned by people in New Zealand and many throughout the world. His loss will first and foremost be felt most keenly by Lady Beverley Reeves and their family, to whom he was a devoted husband and father. My wife Susan and I join all New Zealanders in extending our deep and sincere sympathies to the Reeves family.
Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor-General of New Zealand, and Lady Susan Satyanand hosted a State Welcome and Dinner for HM King George Tupou V of Tonga on 5 July 2011.
This is the first State Welcome that has been held at Government House Wellington since the completion of its conservation.
The State Welcome included a Haka Pōwhiri by the New Zealand Defence Force Māori Cultural Party, a Royal Tri-Service Guard of Honour, students of Wellington College performing a haka, and a performance by the Wellington East Girls' College Choir.
The Māori King, Arikinui Tuheitia Paki, and his wife Matau Ariki Atawhai Paki, visited Government House on 29 June 2011.
The King and Mrs Paki were welcomed to Government House in Wellington by the Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Satyanand, who hosted the couple to morning tea. After their discussions, the King planted a putaputaweta or carpodetus tree near the south lawn of Government House to mark his visit. Sir Anand and Lady Susan then gave King and Mrs Paki a tour of the public rooms of the recently renovated Government House.
With the opening of the Government House Visitor Centre in November 2012, educational tours of Government House Wellington for schools and community groups are now being offered.
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