Waitangi Day 2010

The Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, will visit Northland and Canterbury to mark the 170th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand will be welcomed on to Te Tii Marae on Thursday 4 February.  Later, after inspecting HMNZS Taupō at Opua, in the evening, they will attend a reception on HMNZS Canterbury.

On Friday 5 February Sir Anand and Lady Susan will host the Bledisloe Reception in the grounds of the Copthorne Resort at Waitangi.  The reception, to be attended by the Diplomatic Corps and representatives from central and local government, Māoridom, churches and community groups recognises the gift of the Treaty grounds by Governor-General, Lord Charles and Lady Elaine Bledisloe, in 1932.  Media wishing to attend should contact Antony Paltridge, Government House Public Affairs Manager before 5pm on 4 February on 021 470 583 to gain admittance.

On Saturday 6 February, Sir Anand and Lady Susan will be welcomed on to Ōnuku Marae at Akaroa.  The marae is the place where on 30 May 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in the South Island and also the place where in 1998 the Crown gave its apology for breaches of the Treaty in its dealings with Ngāi Tahu.

This will be the first time Sir Anand has given his Waitangi Day address in a location other than Government House Auckland or Wellington and is in response to a long-standing invitation from Ngāi Tahu to attend its Waitangi Day celebrations.   The Governor-General’s attendance at Ōnuku Marae recognises that the Treaty was signed at many different times and places in the months following 6 February 1840. 

Tuesday, 2 February

Governor-General’s Bledisloe Reception (5 Feb) speech and Waitangi Day (6 Feb) speeches issued under embargo to the media.

Thursday, 4 February

8.45am: Their Excellencies are welcomed on to Te Tii Marae, Waitangi.

11am: Their Excellencies inspect HMNZS Taupō, Opua.

5.40pm: Their Excellencies attend a reception on board HMNZS Canterbury.

Friday 5 February

(morning): Their Excellencies meet with representatives of Federated Farmers’ Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara District, venue tba.

1pm: Sir Anand attends Waitangi National Trust Board luncheon, Waitangi.

3pm: Sir Anand and Lady Susan host the Bledisloe Reception in the grounds of the Copthorne Resort at Waitangi.  Media wishing to attend should contact Antony Paltridge, Government House Public Affairs Manager before 5pm on 4 February on 021 470 583 to gain admittance.

5.15pm: Sir Anand is the Reviewing Officer at the Royal New Zealand Navy Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony, Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Saturday, 6 February

9am: Sir Anand and Lady Susan attend Ngāi Tahu Waitangi Day Celebrations at Ōnuku Marae, Akaroa, where the Governor-General will give his Waitangi Day address.  To attend this event, please contact Fiona McLeod, Communications Adviser, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, on 03 371 3904 or 021 872 015

For further information on the Governor-General’s itinerary, please contact the Government House Public Affairs Manager Antony Paltridge on 021-470-583 or 04 382 0827