This year's Waitangi Day Garden Reception was smaller than in other years, but certainly made up for it in terms of a warm sense of community and fellowship. The nearly 500 guests included MPs, four local mayors, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, former Governors-General Sir Anand Satyanand and Sir Jerry Mateparae and former Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer. MC Ward Kamo set the tone for a wonderful afternoon and the grey skies were replaced by sunshine. The Army band played magnificently, Government House Kaumatua Joe Harawira provided a karakia, and Dame Patsy delivered her final Waitangi Day Address in her role as Governor-General, where she spoke of the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our understanding of who we are as a nation.
