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The Governor-Generals' Blog archive

Blog posts in category 'Feature'.

  • Whakamana Hiranga Icon Awards 2020

    Actor Sam Neill, author Joy Cowley and artist and educator Dr Sandy Adsetts' long and inspirational careers were acknowledged at Government House this evening, with the presentation of the Arts Foundation's Whakamana Hiranga Icon Awards.

  • Royal Commission of Inquiry Report into the Terrorist attacks on the Christchurch Mosques

    This afternoon Hon Sir William Young, Chair of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on the Christchurch Mosques, and Jacqui Caine, Commissioner, presented the Commission's report to the Governor-General.

  • State Opening of Parliament 2020

    Rain may have curtailed some of the normal ceremonial flourishes but there was still plenty of colour at this morning's 53rd State Opening of Parliament in Wellington.

  • Confirmation of the Speaker

    The first task of a newly elected Parliament is to elect a Speaker. Today, after the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard was elected by his colleagues, he came to Government House to have his election confirmed by the Governor-General.

  • New Zealand Festival of the Arts and Wellington Jazz Festival patrons, partners and artists reception

    This afternoon Dame Patsy hosted a reception for New Zealand Festival of the Arts and Wellington Jazz Festival patrons, partners and artists at Government House in Wellington.

  • Ahuwhenua Awards 2020

    On Friday 20 November Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the 2020 Ahuwhenua Awards dinner in Rotorua. Until this year, the awards have recognised excellence in sheep, beef or dairy farming.

  • New Zealand Olympic Family lunch

    The sun shone for the New Zealand's Olympic Family as Dame Patsy hosted a lunch at Government House in Auckland to thank the people and organisations who play a role in getting the New Zealand Olympic team to the games, and in keeping support for our te

  • Global Women honorary life membership presentations

    A very special evening at Government House in Auckland tonight as nine members of Global Women were presented with honorary lifetime memberships.

  • Paralympic Celebration Project

    As part of Paralympics New Zealand’s Celebration Project, this evening 18 Paralympians were presented with their Paralympian number pins at Government House Wellington.

  • Gift of Hine Maioha by Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa

    Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa is a national weavers' committee, whose mission is to develop and extend the skills of weaving across Aotearoa.

  • Zealandia 25th Anniversary Reception

    This evening at Government House, Dame Patsy hosted a celebration for the 25th Anniversary of Zealandia. 25 years ago, Jim Lynch’s plan for an urban eco sanctuary nestled in the hills of Karori began, it would be a pest-free environment where Aotea

  • I'll Tell You This For Nothing - My Mother The War Hero

    The ballroom at Government House transformed into a theatre this evening with a performance of Kate JasonSmith's one woman play "I'll Tell You This For Nothing - My Mother the War Hero".

  • Watch Here - Appointment of the New Ministry 2020

    Aotearoa New Zealand’s new Ministry was appointed this morning at Government House Wellington.

  • Royal Society Te Aparangi Research Honours Aotearoa 2020

    Last night Dame Patsy presented awards to eight recipients of the Royal Society Te Aparangi Research Honours, including the most prestigious award, the Rutherford Medal to Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd.

  • Tiger Moth pilot Rona Fraser, MNZM

    This week saw the conclusion of the Queen’s Birthday investiture ceremonies, where many amazing Kiwis received their New Zealand Royal honours.

  • T G Macarthy Trust

    Today Dame Patsy hosted the annual meeting of the Thomas George Macarthy Trust.

  • Troy Kingi, 2020 Artist-in-Residence

    Composer, musician, singer and actor Troy Kingi, Government House’s most recent Artist-in-Residence, confirmed his reputation as an artistic powerhouse during his stay here.

  • Our Lady's Home of Compassion - visit and QSM presentation

    Today Dame Patsy visited Our Lady's Home of Compassion in Island Bay to meet the sisters and posthumously present the Queen's Service medal awarded to the late Sr Catherine Hannan.

  • Investiture Wellington Tuesday 27 October 5pm

    This evening concluded the Queens Birthday honours list investiture ceremonies at Government House Wellington, where 13 recipients were presented with their insignia.

  • Investiture Ceremony 23 October 2020 PM

    Central Otago poet Dr Brian Turner, ONZM and former Silver Fern Joan Harnett-Kindley, ONZM were among the 12 investiture recipients this afternoon at Government House.

  • Investiture Ceremony 23 October 2020 AM

    Another ten outstanding New Zealanders received their honour insignia from Dame Patsy this morning: Professor Richard Bedford, CNZM for services to governance; Steve Tew, ONZM for services to rugby and sports administration; Jackie Edmond, MNZM for serv

  • Investiture Ceremony 22 October 2020 PM

    At this afternoon's investiture ceremony, insignia were presented to Helene Quilter, QSO for services to the State; Dr Garry Forgeson, ONZM for services to oncology; Tony Wilding, ONZM for services to the dairy industry and the community;&nbsp

  • Investiture Ceremony 22 October 2020 AM

    This morning's honour recipients were senior diplomat John McKinnon, CNZM; media educator Dr Brian Pauling, ONZM; pioneering aviator Rona Fraser MNZM; gerontologist Dr Sally Keeling, MNZM; publisher Don Long, MNZM; eminent weaver Veranoa Hetet

  • Investiture Ceremony 21 October 2020

    South Island rural communities were well represented in this morning's investiture ceremony for 12 honour recipients at Government House. Five volunteers from Fire and Emergency New Zealand received honours, and recipients were also acknowledged fo

  • Investiture Ceremony, 20 October 2020

    Eleven outstanding New Zealanders received their insignia at this afternoon's investiture ceremony for honour recipients at Government House.

  • Investiture ceremony - Wellington 19 October, 5.00PM

    Ten more New Zealanders received their honours insignia at a ceremony at Government House in Wellington this afternoon.

  • Investiture Ceremony, Wellington 19 October 2020 1.00pm

    This afternoon marked the start of the Wellington ceremonies celebrating the Queen’s Birthday honour recipients, recognising some people doing amazing things for their community.

  • Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand conference

    This morning Dame Patsy opened the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand's conference in Wellington. The Society has been a Governor-General patronage since it first started in 1931- Lord Bledisloe was a great supporter.

  • McCahon Centenary closing reception at Government House Auckland

    Just over a year ago at Government House Wellington, Dame Patsy opened the McCahon Centenary celebrations, and tonight Government House Auckland hosted a reception to bring it to a close.

  • Graeme Dingle Foundation 25th Anniversary Excellence Awards 2020

    Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the Graeme Dingle Foundation Excellence Awards, where Dame Patsy presented the Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award to Nicola Biss.

  • New Zealand Olympic Women in Sport's Leadership Academy Graduation

    This afternoon, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted the 2020 graduates of the New Zealand Olympic Women in Sports Leadership Academy.

  • Christchurch investitures

    Nine more New Zealanders were recognised for their acheivements at an investiture ceremony in Christchurch this morning.

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