At the beginning of October, Dame Cindy travelled to Palmerston North to attend a farewell dinner for Hato Hone St John Chancellor John Whitehead who is stepping down after six years in the role. John has served St John with great leadership, knowledge, and expertise, and has guided the organisation through some of its most difficult emergency responses in its history. In her speech, Dame Cindy quoted the whakataukī: Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua – those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.
Dame Cindy was also pleased to attend the Hato Hone St John Youth Inspection and Investiture Service. 23 postulants were invested into the Order of St John, serving across a range of roles from governance, ambulance operations, major incident support, Māori health equity, and health shuttle services. These investees have all made an indelible contribution to St John and the communities they serve.
You can read Dame Cindy's speech from the investiture ceremony here: Hato Hone St John Investiture Ceremony 2026.
View more photos from the ceremony here: Hato Hone St John Investiture Ceremony 2026.