The Governor-Generals' Blog archive

This evening, Dame Cindy hosted a very special dinner for members of the Order of New Zealand, which is New Zealand’s highest honour.

We acknowledge today the sad news of the passing of Sir Murray Halberg. Sir Murray's outstanding athletics career was highlighted by his winning the gold medal in the 5,000 metres at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960.

This afternoon, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed the recipients of the Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards.

This afternoon Dame Cindy presented Royal Humane Society of New Zealand medals to six recipients: Anna Brooke, Michael Smith, Henry Deans and Jeffrey Davies for their part in rescuing two trampers trapped on a mountain side; Paul Gerritson for rescuing

Dame Cindy on Friday received an Honorary Doctorate in Health from her alma mater Massey University in Palmerston North.

On Thursday, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the Waikato and Cambridge Studs – two of New Zealand’s premier Thoroughbred nurseries, each carrying an international reputation for breeding excellence.

Yesterday Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a reception honouring a new Life Member of the Child Cancer Foundation, Karen Heslip.

Darcy Hadfield was the first New Zealander to win a medal at an Olympic Games.

Dame Cindy welcomed seven new overseas representatives to New Zealand today: HE Mr Viktor Vavricka, Ambassador of Switzerland; HE Mr Chang-sik Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; HE Mr Areg Hovhannisian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia; HE M

Yesterday Dame Cindy was on hand to launch Justice Matthew Palmer and Dean Parker's new survey of New Zealand's constitutional arrangements "The Constitution of New Zealand". 

Yesterday Dame Cindy presided at a ceremony at Government House where she awarded Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O'Regan insignia for their additional membership of the Order of New Zealand.

For the final investiture in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Dame Cindy recognised seven further outstanding New Zealanders.

This morning in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Dame Cindy held investitures for eight Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee honours recipients, including our most decorated para athlete, Dame Sophie Pascoe.

Last night Government House celebrated Public Service Day by hosting Te Ra Ratonga Tumatanui Public Service Day Awards.

Our very warmest congratulations to this year's New Zealand Rhodes Scholars.

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Space Place at Carter Observatory to see Ngā Tohunga Whakatere: The Navigators. The 3D film tells the story of how Māori, Pasifika and Europeans sailed to Aotearoa by relying on the skies as their guide.

Dr Davies visited Glenside’s historic Halfway House to plant a rimu in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.

Very warmest congratulations to Sandy McKie on her permanent appointment as Usher of the Black Rod – the first woman appointed to the role in New Zealand’s history.

At 15 years of age, a young Princess Elizabeth instructed that acorns from Windsor Great Park be sent to Wellington New Zealand, to be planted in Queen’s Park – a site developed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Dame Cindy was in Auckland to help welcome the 12 competing teams of the women's Rugby World Cup to Aotearoa New Zealand, and presented each team captain their participation cap and medal.

Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood's extraordinary generosity and support of landmark health initiatives was recognised at today's opening of a new children's health service in Wellington: Te Wao Nui, located in a building which is named the na

“She showed us that though our lives can sometimes feel at the mercy of immense and indifferent forces, what matters most remains always within our control: the small acts of goodness and generosity we perform each day.”

For the final Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours investiture ceremony at Government House Wellington, nine recipients received their insignia. Maha Galal received an MNZM for services to the Muslim community.

Nine recipients were welcomed to Government House this morning for their investiture ceremony, including Dame Judy McGregor, who was acknowledged for her services to human rights and health.

Chief Justice, the Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann, presided over investitures this afternoon as the Administrator of the Government.

Among this morning’s ten investiture recipients, Revered Jon Hartley received a QSO, recognising his services to governance and the community.

For this week’s final investiture, eleven recipients were honoured at Government House Wellington. Former Children’s Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft, received a QSO for services to the judiciary, children and youth.

This morning, the Administrator of the Government Dame Susan Glazebrook welcomed nine outstanding New Zealanders for their investiture at Government House.

Ten people were invested with their honours at Government House today and were acknowledged for their outstanding services across diverse fields, including governance, agricultural science, health, business, music, journalism, wildlife conservation, tra

Aotearoa New Zealand’s most capped Silver Ferns Coach, Dame Ruth Aitken, was presented with her DNZM at Government House this morning.