The Wellington King’s Birthday Investiture ceremonies began at Government House this morning, with eleven recipients being recognised. Among them was Ralph Sims, who is Professor Emeritus, Sustainable Energy and Climate Mitigation at Massey University, who rose to prominence developing biodesel from animal fats and helping establish New Zealand’s first energy efficiency and renewable strategy. He was part of a team that wrote reports for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of which one won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
Ms Miraka Norgate was awarded a QSM for services to the community. Ms Norgate helped establish the Waimea Kōhanga Reo in 1984, and is Kuia for all Kohanga Reo in the Nelson-Tasman area. She is also involved with the Nelson Cancer Society and the Nelson Bays Primary Health Māori Committee. Congratulations to all of this morning's recipients.
Today, Dame Cindy was joined by Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne and Acting Chair of the Electoral Commission Jane Meares for the signing of the writ – an important step in New Zealand's electoral process. The Writ is the formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the 2023 general election. It sets out the dates for candidate nominations to close, election day, and the date the writ must be returned showing the successful electoral candidates.
For the final investiture ceremony at Auckland this week, Dame Cindy welcomed eight further recipients to Government House. Among them was Jack Sims, who received an ONZM for services to karate. Mr Sims founded the Chidokan Karate School in 1967, and represented New Zealand at the World Karate Championships. He continues to teach karate at age 81. Professor Rochelle Constantine also received an ONZM, for services to wildlife conservation and marine biology. Professor Constantine is head of the Marine Mammal Ecology Lab at the University of Auckland. She has dedicated her career to the research and protection of whales and endemic dolphins.
World Cup winning Black Ferns coach Sir Wayne Smith received his KNZM for services to rugby this morning at Government House. Sir Wayne has now led both our men’s and women’s national sides to Rugby World Cup victory. Outside of rugby, Sir Wayne is Patron of the New Zealand Foundation for Conductive Education, an organisation that helps children and adults with physical disabilities. Former Black Fern Cheryl Smith was awarded an MNZM for services to rugby. She was part of the Black Ferns World Cup winning squads in 1998 and 2002, and later became the first-ever woman to coach the Northland men’s senior team.
Kaa Williams and Tawhiri Williams were awarded a CNZM for services to Māori and education. Together, they established Te Wānanga Takiua o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa, and cerated a scholarship for aspiring Māori lawyers in honour of their late daughter. Congratulations to all of this morning’s recipients.
This afternoon’s recipients at Government House Auckland included Shae Ronald, who received an ONZM for services to youth. Ms Ronald is currently CEO of Youthline, a service that offers support to young people through counselling and mentoring. As a family and youth lawyer, she has co-authored six publications on youth rights and mental health.
Also recognised this afternoon was Ngaio Lewis, who received a QSM for services to charitable fundraising. Mrs Lewis has spent 15 years volunteering with the Jassy Dean Trust, an organisation offering financial support for families on Waiheke Island who have children with health needs. She has converted her quarter acre section into a nursery that grows and sells plants solely for the purpose of fundraising for children in need of support. Congratulations to all this afternoon’s recipients.
Opie Bosson, one of New Zealand’s most successful jockeys, and touch rugby player Peter Walters, known internationally as “Mr Touch”, were among the eight recipients receiving their insignia at Government House Auckland. Opie Bosson has won 91 Group 1 races, and broke the New Zealand record for Group 1 race wins in 2019. Mr Walters is the most capped player in touch rugby, and founded Galaxy Touch Club, the largest touch rugby club worldwide.
Kendal Collins received an MNZM for services to youth. Ms Collins is CEO of Sisters United New Zealand, which is an organisation that develops young Pasifika women leaders through dance, music, spoken word and art. Congratulations to all of this morning’s recipients.
This morning Dame Cindy presented insignia to eight honours recipients, who were acknowledged for their outstanding services to the community, and to the music and entertainment industries, illustration and education, athletics, race walking, and Tongan and Pacific communities.
Eight recipients were welcomed to Government House Auckland for their investiture ceremony this afternoon, including Dr Richard Wong She. Dr Wong She received a CNZM for his influential work in burn care both in New Zealand and internationally. He was the Clinical Leader of the New Zealand National Burn Service, and was lead burn surgeon following the 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption. Also recognised was Venus Cherrington, who is a rural nurse in Kaikohe. Mrs Cherrington received a QSM for supporting her community, including caring for those needing end of life care, and ensuring families had groceries and prepared meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to all of this afternoon’s recipients.
Investitures at Government House Auckland began this morning, with Dame Cindy welcoming seven New Zealand Royal Honours recipients. Among this morning’s recipients was Dame Jo Brosnahan, who received a DNZM for services to governance and business. Kereyn Smith was awarded a CNZM recognising her contributions to sports governance, including her time as CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. Pat Wyatt was recognised for her nearly 60-year involvement with netball in New Zealand, including being part of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and the Silver Ferns organisations. Congratulations to all of this morning’s recipients.
Today, Dr Davies attended the Merchant Navy Day commemorations at the New Zealand Maritime Museum in Auckland. The 3rd of September is a day of remembrance for those in the Merchant Navy who served and lost their lives in both World Wars. Sometimes referred to as “the fourth service”, the Merchant Navy were civilian volunteers who sailed ships carrying troops and equipment, and continued shipping vital trade between countries despite the constant threat of attack. After the service, Dr Davis laid a wreath at sea on the NAUTILUS, a motorboat carried by the hospital ship MARAMA in World War One.
This day has a personal connection for Dr Davies, who served in the British Merchant Navy as a deck cadet in 1981 and 1982 with the Blue Star Line.
Dr Davies went to Seaview to visit some of the members and volunteers at Sailability Wellington Trust, which is a sailing club helping people with disabilities experience the sport of sailing. The Trust has developed what will soon be a new class of yacht – the ParAble-Whakatauki. This boat is designed to be simple to sail, safe, and able to be raced. Its main purpose is to make sailing as inclusive as possible, particularly for people with disabilities. Sailability Wellington is the largest of the 10 Sailability Trusts around New Zealand, with 70 volunteers helping their 200 members sail each week.
Last night in the Banquet Hall at Parliament, Dame Cindy attended the 2023 Aspiring Leaders' Forum. The Forum's aim is to inspire young people to cultivate leadership skills founded on a commitment to serving others – with each delegate having been recognised as an potential leader in their community and nominated to attend. Following dinner, Dame Cindy was interviewed by Tim Wilson about her leadership journey, and spoke to delegates about the importance of staying true to your values and finding small ways of looking after yourself while in demanding leadership positions.
Last night at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy hosted an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the New Zealand Blood Service. With its team of dedicated staff and volunteers, the NZ Blood Service has overall responsibility for all blood banking services across New Zealand – as well as being home of the National Heart Valve Bank, Organ Donation New Zealand, and the New Zealand Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The NZBScould not function without the generosity of so many ordinary New Zealanders, who choose to donate blood products without knowing who they might save, and under what circumstances – as the New Zealand Blood Service puts it so well: for ‘unseen emergencies’.
This afternoon at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy received a call from Ms Nicki Nicol, CEO and Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Ms Ashley Abbott, Public Affairs and Communications Director, and Ms Sharon van Gulik, Commercial Director of the NZOC.
Dame Cindy was delighted to open the New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science's South Pacific Congress yesterday morning in Auckland. The Congress brings together medical and laboratory scientists from across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific to discuss issues of importance to the profession – which is so integral to our healthcare system – while also looking to the future.
Her Excellency took the opportunity in her opening speech to extend her sincerest thanks to our medical laboratory scientists and technicians, for the huge sacrifices they made throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to keep us safe.
Last night at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy hosted a reception to launch this year's Aotearoa Spanish Language Week. Running from 14-20 August, this week is an opportunity to celebrate the Spanish language, encourage New Zealanders to learn this global language of more than 500 million speakers, and to acknowledge the contributions of the more than 30,000 Spanish-speaking members of New Zealand communities.
Aotearoa Spanish Language Week is organised by the Latin American Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence, and you can find out more about their work, and how you can get involved, here.
Tonight at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland, Dame Cindy attended the annual New Zealand Business Hall of Fame gala dinner. Established in 1994 by Young Enterprise, the Business Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions New Zealand's economic and social development.
This year's laureates were: Ted Manson, Kelly Tarlton, Wally Stone, Kingi Smiler, Michael Barnett, Theresa Gattung, and Sir Paul Adams. Our very warmest congratulations to all laureates, your families, friends and supporters.
Today Dame Cindy received the credentials of new Diplomatic Heads of Mission to New Zealand: HE Mr Afamasaga Faamatalaupu Tolefoa, the High Commissioner for the Independent State of Samoa; HE Mr Blamoh Nelson, Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia; HE Mr Antonio Manuel Albuquerque De Vilhena Moniz, Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic; HE Mr M. Allama Siddiki, Ambassador of the Republic of Bangladesh; and HE Mr Askar Kuttykadam, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Tonight at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a reception with The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi to celebrate the legacy of one of our greatest writers, Katherine Mansfield. The event was also an opportunity to announce the recipient of this year's Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, Charlotte Grimshaw, who will be supported to spend time writing in Menton in the south of France, where Mansfield herself once lived and worked.
Dame Cindy took the opportunity during the reception to acknowledge the previous Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellows in attendance: 'It is a testament to your own dedication and artistry, as well as the immense value of this fellowship, that so many of the works produced by New Zealanders in Menton have become classics of this country’s literature.'
This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy presented medals to participants in the 2019 King's Cup rowing race at the Henley Royal Regatta. The King's Cup was first raced in 1919 following the First World War, with six crews taking part: Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The centennial race was held four years ago, with crews from the Netherlands and Germany also taking part – however, the presentation was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dame Cindy met with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care this morning, to discuss its new report: 'Stolen Lives, Marked Souls'. The report focuses on the abuse and neglect experienced by survivors over several decades at Catholic Church institutions, Marylands School, and Hebron Trust in Christchurch.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies travelled to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand for the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Korean Armistice Agreement, and to acknowledge New Zealanders’ service in the Korean War. The New Zealand military was involved in the Korean War from 1950 to 1957, serving as part of the 16 country United Nations force.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were welcomed to Korea mihi whakatau at the New Zealand Residence in Seoul, followed by a visit to the War Memorial of Korea. Later, Dame Cindy met with the President of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol.
Their Excellencies travelled to Camp Bonifas, the UN Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area (JSA) on the southern boundary in the Demilitarized Zone, which forms the boarder between North and South Korea. That evening, Dame Cindy spoke at a Thank You Banquet for veterans of the Korean war. There, she met 92 year-old veteran John Barnett from Cambridge, who served in Korea as a Signalman for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The next day included a visit to the Busan Museum of Art, and a visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea. At UNMCK, Dame Cindy was joined by President Yoon and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg for a wreath-laying ceremony. The final day saw Dame Cindy present scholarships to students of Gapyeong Middle School.
While in Korea, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies also had the chance to visit SM Entertainment to learn more about K-pop and its global influence. They met with Choi Siwon from K-pop group Super Junior, and had a tour of SM Entertainment's recording studios.
Last night Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a dinner for Professor Myles Allen, Director of Oxford Net Zero. Guests included Dr Sue Rosier (NIWA), Professor Dave Frame (Victoria University of Wellington), Mrs Margaret Macey, Dr Adrian Macey (Victoria University of Wellington), Hon Simon Upton (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment), Kay Harrison (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), and Professor Dame Juliet Gerrard (the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser).
This morning Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed the Pūkākī Scholars, who visited Government House as part of their educational trip to Wellington. Pūkākī, the great Chief of Ngāti Whakaue, has appeared on our 20c coin since 1990. To recognise this relationship, the Reserve Bank annually selects Pūkākī Scholars - rangatahi that demonstrate leadership potential and who whakapapa to Ngāti Whakaue. Due to COVID-19 and then the death of Her Majesty the Queen postponing previous trips, the 2023 Scholars were also joined by those who received the award in 2022 and 2021.
This afternoon Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed Sir Jonathon Porritt back to Government House. In 1967, Sir Jonathon lived in the House when his father, Sir Arthur Porritt was appointed Governor-General. Sir Jonathon has had significant leadership roles in environmental organisations in the UK, and is co-Patron, with Dame Cindy, of the Aotearoa Circle, which brings the public and private sector to address sustainability issues in Aotearoa.
Last night Iwi leaders from across the motu joined Dame Cindy and Doctor Davies for this year’s Matariki Dinner at Government House. Dame Cindy paid homage to iwi leaders, past and present, and expressed her hope for a new aspirational narrative, mindful of the truths of our past, informed by matauranga, and providing a sustainable future for the generations to come.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua to see where new police recruits undergo training and police officers refresh their knowledge. There are around six intakes of new recruits each year, with each recruit completing a 16-week course here in Porirua. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were welcomed with a mihi whakatau, and then visited the ‘House of Crime’ where Herb the drug detecting dog showed his skills, and new recruits demonstrated an arrest in difficult circumstances. Dame Cindy also had a reunion with the Police College’s receptionist Teurukura Tia Kekena, who received a QSM at Government House earlier this year for services to Cook Islands and Pacific communities.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies have visited some initiatives in Porirua doing mahi to enrich their community’s health and wellbeing. This morning, they visited rangatahi-led health service The 502 - Rangatahi Ora. They offer free primary healthcare and social services for people aged 10-24 across the city in a safe, inclusive, and approachable space. The 502 name comes from the Porirua postcode because it’s something everyone who uses their services shares with each other.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies also visited Special Olympics Mana to learn more about their kaupapa, which Chairperson Logan Amer said was to be as inclusive as possible. Their Excellencies also got the chance to welcome back Special Olympics Mana’s recently returned athletes who competed in the 2023 Berlin Games, including Kristie Sharp who won a silver and a bronze medal.
Later in the morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a lunch at Porirua City Council hosted by Mayor Anita Baker, and met with representatives from many other community-led organisations.
That afternoon, Their Excellencies visited Solid - Sustainable Oral Care and Olé Football Academy. Solid Oral Care’s co-founders Laura and Adam showed Dame Cindy and Dr Davies around the factory where they produce sustainable toothpastes and dental hygiene products. Established in 2020, Solid have been finding ways to reduce the amount of plastic in the dental industry, which currently sees 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes end up in a landfill each year. Their Excellencies also saw neighbouring business Aspiring Walls, who are the only manufacturer of wallpaper in the Southern Hemisphere.
The final stop for the day was to the Olé Football Academy to see some young football stars in the making. Olé has been developing football talent in New Zealand since 1997, and have seen many players progress to national sides and overseas professional leagues.
This morning Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed the Halberg Youth Council to Government House Wellington for a hui, discussing the future of disability in New Zealand. The Halberg Youth Council are a group of young leaders advocating for other physically disabled athletes in New Zealand, working as part of the Halberg Foundation. These outstanding rangatahi use their own experiences to help make sport accessible to all New Zealanders, regardless of ability.
Last week, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies continued their programme of events in West Auckland – an area of New Zealand close to Her Excellency's heart.
On Tuesday morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Blanket Base – the headquarters for the remarkable West Auckland charity, Give a Kid a Blanket. GaKaB’s mission is to relieve the effects of poverty and offer practical help to those in need through gifting objects of warmth and comfort – including blankets, duvets, bedding, clothing, and self-care essentials. Over the past year, GaKaB has helped more than 8,000 members of their community. The charity works with police, public health nurses, community and social workers, and community service agencies who make requests for resources and collect them from Blanket Base.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies then visited BirdCare Aotearoa – a charity dedicated to providing care and rehabilitation to sick, injured, and orphaned wild birds. During their visit, Their Excellencies met a ruru, kākā, and kererū – each delivered to the centre by a concerned member of the community, and in different stages of their recovery. Dame Cindy also acknowledged some of the longest-serving members of the BirdCare volunteering family.
To find out more about the important work of BirdCare and its committed team of staff and volunteers – including how you can help – please visit: https://birdcareaotearoa.org.nz. View images from the visit here: Visit to BirdCare Aotearoa.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies started their Wednesday morning with a very special visit to He Wero School for Young Parents at Henderson High School. He Wero supports parents under the age of 18 to complete their secondary education – both across core subjects, as well as more specialist subjects taught online or within the main school. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies spent time with some of the mothers and their babies – and heard about their special interests and aspirations for the future. They also took part in a mindfulness and yoga class run by the inspiring Kindness Institute.
Following their time at He Wero, Their Excellencies went next door to the Barnardos Early Learning Centre, where babies born to the mothers in He Wero are given priority enrolment – and where those young parents and children are supported in spending time together throughout the course of their school day and learning. View more images here: Visit to He Wero and Barnardos.
Dame Cindy then visited Bellyful West Auckland, to take part in one of their monthly 'Cookathons'. Bellyful is a charitable organisation that cooks and delivers meals to whānau with newborn babies and young children in need of support. Once a month, volunteers come together to make delicious and nutritious meals which are then stored and distributed throughout the community. Yesterday, Dame Cindy was on lasagne construction, macaroni dolloping, and soup whizzing duties – helping to make some of the 146 meals produced in total during the Cookathon.
You can find out more about Bellyful's wonderful work around the country, and how you can become involved, here: https://bellyful.org.nz/. View more images from the cookathon here: Visit to Bellyful.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies made a trip to Matipo Primary School on Thursday morning, where they were greeted with a beautiful pōwhiri by students and teachers. Matipo Primary School teaches students years 1-6, with the vision: ‘Mā te manaaki e tipu ai ngā kākano, hei te rākau teitei – We nurture the seed so the tree will grow strong’. A key feature of the school is Te Puawaitanga o Te Wairua – a Māori Enrichment Unit, providing opportunities for all children to be immersed in a kaupapa Māori framework underpinned by tikanga Māori. Dame Cindy was given a special tour of the school with students, and stopped in to read a story with one of the classes. You can view images from the school visit here: Visit to Matipo Primary School.
Finally, on Friday morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Blind Low Vision NZ's guide dog breeding and training centre in Manurewa. This extraordinary facility is one of only two in the world to offer specialised training for guide dogs and their handlers in one place.
The centre includes a series of realistically modelled public spaces – such as pedestrian crossings, train carriages, and shopping malls – allowing dogs and their handlers to gain confidence moving through the kinds of environments they're likely to encounter in day-to-day life. These spaces also incorporate traffic and crowd noises, as well as potentially distracting smells, to simulate the real world as closely as possible.
Each year, Blind Low Vision NZ also breeds around 100 potential guide dogs, of which around 40 will graduate from the training programme – the rest adopted as beloved pets. Their Excellencies finished their visit meeting some of the newest litter, who were enjoying a late morning play.
This week marked National Volunteer Week – an opportunity to acknowledge the often unheralded work of volunteers across New Zealand. Last night at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy hosted an event for Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand, in recognition of those immense contributions made by remarkable New Zealanders in our communities – in particular over these past three years, through the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing severe weather events.
