The Governor-Generals' Blog archive

We're heading into the busiest part of the year and the Governor-General's diary is looking very full. Regrettably we cannot accept any more invitations for June, July, August and September 2019.

On 15 June, Dame Patsy and Sir David attended an investiture ceremony for St John postulants at the Cathedral of St Paul's in Wellington. Dame Patsy is Prior of the Order in New Zealand.

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a fundraising dinner for the Red Cross to mark World Refugee Day.

Every year in New Zealand, one in three girls, one in six boys and one in two disabled people experience some form of sexual abuse. For Maori girls and women, the likelihood of sexual violence is twice as high as the general population.

Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Zealandia, an eco-sanctuary in the suburb of Karori in Wellington. Zealandia's 500-year vision is to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems to their pre-human state.

Members of the Muslim community celebrated the official opening of Iqra Elementary School's new premises in Auckland today. We were impressed by the children's and staff's use of English, Te Reo Maori and Arabic.

Sir David stood in for Dame Patsy at the launch of not for profit organisation Spend My Super at Government House in Auckland this evening.

Dame Patsy represented New Zealand at the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of D-Day at Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. As well as attending the official ceremony, she had the opportunity to meet with leaders of 15 other nations a

Otago University, our oldest university, is celebrating 150 years this year. It took just 29 years from the arrival of the first Scots settlers till the University was opened in 1869.

Te Runanga o Otakou Marae is situated in a spectacular setting near the mouth of Otago Harbour. It was there that two Ngai Tahu chiefs signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in June 1840.

Protection of the natural world and innovative research was a strong theme in today's visits to the Otago Museum and the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head.

Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Christchurch on Wednesday.

Dame Patsy spoke at and presented the prizes at the New Zealand School's Debating Championships Grand Final at Parliament today.

Dame Pasty and Sir David hosted a reception for the Jane Goodall Institute at Government House.

Congratulations to the recipients who received their insignia at Government House in Auckland today. Recipients included Jennifer Ward-Lealand for services to theatre, film and television; our Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh for servi

Today there were two investiture ceremonies at Government House Auckland. The first was for The Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann, the Chief Justice of New Zealand.

Yesterday, Dame Patsy and Sir David attended two of Auckland Grammar's 27 events to mark the school's first 150 years.

Today it seemed like all the students at St Cuthbert's turned out to welcome Dame Patsy when she arrived at the school.

Congratulations to all today's recipients for their work in human rights, design and business, rugby and rugby league, the LGBTIQ+ community, fashion, Cook Islands art and culture, athletics, and education. 

Two more investiture ceremonies were held at Government House today.

The morning saw  the arts, sport and science mix together with Dame Gaylene Preston, Dan Carter, Lydia Ko, Barbara Kendall and Glen Ashby receiving their insignia.

Two knighthoods were conferred at today's ceremonies at Government House Auckland. Sir Stephen Tindall's knighthood was elevated to a GNZM and Sir Rob McLeod received his KNZM for services to business and Maori.

Congratulations to the 17 New Zealanders who received their insignia at an investiture at Government House in Wellington this morning

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Congratulations to the 17 New Zealanders recognised at Government House today for their contributions to Maori carving and bone art, business,environmental resource management, conservation, basketball, science education, tourism and heritage preservati

Outstanding contributions to areas as diverse as health, documentary film-making, science, history, refugee communities, optometry, conservation, water management, karate, and the arts and broadcasting were recognised at this morning's investi

17 New Zealanders received the insignia  this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington.

The 12 recipients at this morning's investiture ceremony included retired Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Timothy Keating, CNZM, and Fire Service, Police, Defence and Coastguard personnel.

Our first investiture ceremony for 17 recipients of New Year Honours was held at Government House this morning.

Dame Patsy began Anzac Day by giving the Anzac Address at the Dawn Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial.

Today we had perfect autumn weather for the powhiri and military parade associated with our credentials ceremonies.

On Thursday Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Te Papa for the Terrcotta warriors exhibition. They were also lucky enough to visit Te Papa's stacks and see some of the treasures stored there.

This afternoon, Dame Patsy hosted a reception for the Child Cancer Foundation, to honour Pat Wilkes with a Life Membership of the Foundation, in recognition of twenty years of selfless service to young cancer patients and their families.

Dame Patsy and Sir David spent a couple of days in the Southern Lakes last week. The focus of their visit was innovation in the arts, tourism and sustainability.