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. Two 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.