Blog posts in category Feature.
Two weeks after a terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, where 50 worshippers lost their lives and many more were injured, today's National Remembrance Service brought together the wounded and survivors of the attack, along with citizens of Ch
Dame Patsy and Sir David received a farewell call from the Ambassador of Iran, HE Mr Jalaladdin Namini Mianji and Mrs Fatemeh Namini Mianji at Government House in Wellington.
Dame Patsy has received numerous letters and messages from Heads of State, foreign dignitaries and organisations in the days following the Christchurch shootings. Here is a selection for you to read.
Messages 1
Messages 2
This morning, Dame Patsy and Sir David welcomed HM King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga and HM Queen Nanasipau'u. Their Majesties are making an official visit to New Zealand.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a dinner on the Norrie Dining Room for His Majesty King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u.
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan called on Dame Patsy to offer the condolences of the people of Jordan to New Zealanders in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
This afternoon, one week after the killing of 50 worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealanders gathered in our towns and cities to observe two minutes' silence.
Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence is Vice President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is responsible for caring for the war graves of Commonwealth service personnel from the First and Second World Wars.
Dame Patsy and Sir David travelled to Christchurch to pay their respects following the Christchurch mosque shootings.
The second day of Dame Patsy's visit to Christchurch began with a meeting with the Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre.
Dame Patsy has received a telephone call from King Abdullah of Jordan.
He expressed his deepest sympathy and his strong support for NZ and NZers. He offered whatever assistance we need to deal with the tragedy.
This afternoon Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Kilbirnie Mosque.
Thousands of Wellingtonians attended the Vigil For Christchurch at the Basin Reserve this evening.
Her Majesty The Queen has sent a message of condolence to the people of New Zealand following the terrorist attack on the Christchurch mosques.
Message from HM The Queen
HRH The Prince of Wales has sent a message of condolence to the people of New Zealand following the terrorist attacks on the Christchurch mosques.
Message from HRH The Prince of Wales
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives in the devastating attack in Christchurch.
Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General shared the following message on the secretariat's website following the Christchurch mosque shootings:
Message from the Governor of New South Wales and Governor-General Designate of Australia, General The Hon David Hurley.
" Your Excellency,
Today’s tragic events in Christchurch have shocked all New Zealanders.
Dame Patsy and Sir David visited the Auckland Bioengineering Institute to find out more about the cutting-edge research being undertaken there.
Commonwealth diversity and Commonwealth connections were celebrated in a wonderful gathering in the Beehive Banquet Hall this evening.
Dame Patsy delivered the Commonwealth Message from HM Queen Elizabeth:
At Government House's morning tea on International Women's Day, three women spoke about what the day means to them: Vanessa Stoddart, Global Women Chair; Dr Hiria Hape, Kuia at Government House for many years; and Michelle Huang, who spok
Last Friday Dame Patsy formally opened a stunning new sports complex at Dilworth School's junior campus. The opening took place on Founders Day, when the school remembers the extraordinary generosity of the school's 19th century founders,
Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the inaugural NZ Maori Secondary Schools' XI vs Governor-General's XI cricket match at Karori Park in Wellington.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a farewell dinner for the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, Chief Justice of New Zealand at Government House in Wellington. Dame Sian is retiring after nearly 20 years as head of New Zealand's judiciary.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hung out with people wearing some rather crazy, enormous hats at the opening of Performance Arcade 2019 last Thursday night.
Dame Patsy officially opened the 2019 Auckland Lantern Festival at The Domain in Auckland last night. The Festival celebrates its 20th year this year and is the largest outside of mainland China.
This week Dame Patsy has presented Mentioned in Despatches Awards to veterans of the Vietnam War, to family members, or to friends of deceased recipients.
Dame Patsy and Sir David began Waitangi Day 2019 at Onuku Marae near Akaroa. It was Dame Patsy's first Waitangi Day in the South Island and while the weather was unexpectedly chilly, the welcome from Ngai Tahu was warm.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted around 2000 people at Government House's Waitangi Day commemorations this afternoon.
Last night Dame Patsy and Sir David were guests at a reception on HMNZS Wellington where they met people from Northland, naval personnel and guests from around New Zealand.
Image Gallery
Diplomats accredited to New Zealand are currently in Northland on a tour related to the history of nationhood in New Zealand, dating from the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840. Today Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a lunch for them and t
