Investiture ceremonies

Twice a year, the Governor-General holds investiture ceremonies at Government House in Wellington and Government House in Auckland for the people named in the New Year and Queen's Birthday honours lists.  These ceremonies are often attended by members of the media.

Honours recipients travel to these ceremonies from throughout the country. Each recipient may bring a limited number of close family members or friends to the ceremony. After God Save the Queen is played on the piano and a formal greeting by the Governor-General, the citations for the honours recipients are read out and recipients move up to the dias where they receive their insignia, medal or decoration from the Governor-General.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Governor-General congratulates all the recipients and the National Anthem, God Defend New Zealand, is sung in Māori and English.  After the ceremony, guests are invited to either morning or afternoon tea. The Governor-General uses this opportunity to meet the recipients and their guests.

The official photographer photographs each recipient as they receive their honour and also takes photographs of the recipients with Their Excellencies, family and friends after the ceremony.