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  • The Governor-General
    • Biography of The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
    • Biography of Dr Richard Davies
    • Media statements
    • Speeches by The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro
    • The Governor-General's blog
  • Office of the Governor-General
    • Coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort
      • About the Coronation service
      • The King of New Zealand
      • Get involved
      • Coronation events
    • Roles and functions of the Governor-General
      • Constitutional role
        • New Zealand’s Constitution
        • Credentials ceremonies
        • The Executive Council
        • The Reserve Powers
        • The Royal prerogative of mercy
      • Ceremonial role
        • Investiture ceremonies
        • New Zealand Royal Honours
      • Community role
      • International Role
    • Conditions of Appointment
      • Administrator of the Government
      • The Governor-General Act
      • The Governor-General's Flag
    • History
      • New Zealand's Governor-General - an historical perspective
      • Former Governors-General
    • Invitations, patronage and cards
      • Invitations for the Governor-General
        • Dress code for Government House events
      • Hosting the Governor-General
      • Order of precedence in New Zealand
      • Applying for vice-regal patronage
      • Current Vice-regal patronages
      • Congratulatory messages
    • Contacting the Governor-General
      • Guidance for writing to the Governor-General
    • Official portraits
    • Royal Commission Reports
  • Government House
    • Government House Wellington
      • Government House tours
        • Accessibility Information
        • Group tours
        • School tours
      • Rooms of Government House
        • Bledisloe Conservatory
        • Blundell and Porritt Rooms
        • Fitzroy Room
        • Galway and guest suites
        • Liverpool Room
        • Main Hallway
        • Maota Ariki
        • The Ballroom
        • The Council Room
        • The Landing
        • The Norrie State Dining Room
        • The Taupaepae
      • Artwork and artifacts
        • Carved coats of arms
      • Government House centenary
      • Government House conservation
        • Conservation rationale
        • The project in detail
    • Government House Auckland
      • Visiting Government House Auckland
      • The gardens at Government House Auckland
    • Other Government Houses
    • Staff at Government House
      • Management of Government House
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  3. Staff at Government House

Staff at Government House

A team of dedicated staff cater for the more than 10,000 visitors, including Heads of State, politicians and diplomats, who pass through Government House in Wellington and Auckland each year.

Functions hosted by the Governor-General range from formal ceremonies, state dinners and investitures to garden parties, open days and tours of the House and gardens.

The management of this steady flow of visitors requires planning and immaculate housekeeping. It also calls for the preparation and serving of New Zealand food and wine of the highest standard

The household staff at Government House includes chefs, stewards, housekeepers and a chauffeur. Government House is a unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the manager of the office and two Houses is the Official Secretary. The Official Secretary is a member of the Department's Senior Management Group and reports to the Clerk of the Executive Council.

The Governor-General also travels throughout New Zealand and internationally. Within New Zealand the Governor-General attends a wide variety of functions from conferences, award ceremonies and anniversaries of national organisations including cultural, sporting and professional bodies. The Government House office and programme staff maintain the Governor-General's diary, process invitations, organise visits, and arrange her travel programme. The communication staff assist with speeches, liaise with the media, and manage social media and the website. Three members of staff work in Government House Wellington's Visitor Centre and conduct public tours through the House.

At all times, the Governor-General is accompanied by one of the two Aides-de-Camp who are seconded from the New Zealand Defence Force.

The extensive gardens at the two Government Houses are maintained by contract gardeners.

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  • Government House Wellington
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  • Other Government Houses
  • Staff at Government House
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Book a tour of Government House Wellington

Government House Wellington.

Our Visitor Centre runs free, guided tours for individuals, groups and schools.

Bookings are required.

Find out more about tours

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The Governor-General
  • Biography of The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
  • Biography of Dr Richard Davies
  • Media statements
  • Speeches by The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro
  • The Governor-General's blog
Office of the Governor-General
  • Coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort
  • Roles and functions of the Governor-General
  • Conditions of Appointment
  • History
  • Invitations, patronage and cards
  • Contacting the Governor-General
  • Official portraits
  • Royal Commission Reports
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