This year, DOC, Trees that Count and Tapu o Tane will assist community groups, iwi and private landowners to plant 100,000 native trees at various locations across Aotearoa. These plantings are New Zealand’s legacy project to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne.
On 16 May at Government House, the Chief Justice, Dame Helen Winkelmann, Hon Kiritapu Allen and Joris de Bres of Project Crimson launched the project by planting a kauri in the grounds.
Dame Helen was acting as Administrator for the Government while Dame Cindy was in Abu Dhabi representing New Zealand at an azza (official condolence ceremony) for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Surrounded by her whānau and closest supporters, Dame Cindy was officially welcomed onto the Waitangi Treaty Grounds as Governor-General. Among esteemed guests was Kiingi Tūheitia, as well as leaders and representatives from iwi across Te Tai Tokerau and Waikato. Following the pōwhiri, Dame Cindy completed the custom for all new Governors-General of planting a pōhutukawa on the Treaty Grounds.
Her Excellency closed her address to the congregation with the famous words of Sir James Henare: ‘Kua tawhiti kē tō haerenga mai, kia kore e haere tonu. He nui rawa ō mahi kia kore e mahi tonu' – 'We have come too far not to go further. We have done too much not to do more'.
You can find more images from the day here, and Dame Cindy's speech here.
It was a very special day for Dame Cindy and her whānau in Northland, as she was formally welcomed onto Mōtatau Marae in recognition of her appointment as Governor-General. During the welcome, Dame Cindy was presented with an exquisite korowai – Te Ata o te Whenua – made especially for Her Excellency as a token of deepest aroha, pride, and esteem from Te Tai Tokerau. The name translates as 'the Shadow over the Land'.
You can find more images from the day here, and read Dame Cindy's speech here.
Eleven recipients were recognised for outstanding service in their communities in the final investiture ceremony of this round at Government House Wellington. Venkat Raman received an MNZM for his work on behalf of the New Zealand Indian community, which includes as founder of Gandhi Nivas and the Saint Mother Teresa Interfaith committee. Richard Benge also received an MNZM for his work with Arts Access Aotearoa, an organisation that increases participation in the arts for those who would otherwise experience barriers in doing so.
That concludes this round of Wellington investiture ceremonies. Our warmest congratulations to all recipients.
You can find more images from this afternoon's ceremony here.
This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy was pleased to acknowledge Dr Lindsay Mildenhall, ONZM, for his extensive work in the fields of neonatal intensive care and resuscitation training. Dr Chris Moyes, ONZM, was also acknowledged for his work on the treatment of hepatitis B (HBV), which led to the introduction of an HBV immunisation programme for children.
Other honours recipients received insignia for their contributions across governance, sport, community, theatre, and heritage. Dame Cindy will host the final ceremony in this round of Wellington investitures later today.
Among the ten recipients at this afternoon’s investiture ceremony was Dr Arapera Royal Tangaere, receiving a CNZM for her work with Te Kōhanga Reo Trust since 1982. The first Kōhanga Reo opened in the Wellington region that year, and there are now around 460 of the Māori language immersion preschools across the country.
Teremoana Yala was recognised for her work in the Cook Islands community, including time as the Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand. Also honoured was renowned artist and Treaty negotiator Alex Nathan, and conservationist Bill Fleury. Congratulations to this afternoon’s recipients.
For this week’s final investiture ceremony, Dame Cindy welcomed eleven recipients to Government House. Rosemary McLeod was recognised for her career as a writer and cartoonist. She was one of the creators of iconic New Zealand drama Gloss, and has won several awards for her long-form journalism in North and South magazine.
Actress Tanea Heke received an MNZM for services to the arts and Māori. Ms Heke recently starred in the 2021 film Cousins, and is currently Director of Te Kura Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. Marilyn Moffatt also received an MNZM for her years of work with Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
The eleven honours recipients at this morning's investiture ceremony were thanked for their achievements and services to Pacific health and education; agricultural science and business; tertiary education; Fire and Emergency New Zealand; dairy and agriculture; education; Maori education; social work; and the community.
This afternoon Honours recipients were acknowledged for their services to paediatric and neonatal care; disabilities and the arts; the New Zealand Police; the community; women's health; musical theatre; traffic safety; floristry; and the Melanesian community.
This morning's Honours recipients included three NZDF personnel who played pivotal roles in New Zealand's response to COVID-19: Air Commodore Darryn Webb, MNZM for services to the New Zealand Defence Force; Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Blythen, DSD for services to the NZDF; and Wing Commander Richard Deihl, DSD for services to the NZDF.
Congratulations to all eleven recipients at this morning's investiture ceremony.
Nine recipients were honoured today at Government House, including Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Gillies; the last surviving member of the Māori Battalion. Sir Robert served in B company during World War 2, and has been active in representing the Battalion at official commemorations ever since.
Dr Jonathan Godfrey received an ONZM for services to disabled people, particularly blind and low vision people. He is President of the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand and Senior Lecturer in Statistics at Massey University, mentoring blind students internationally in this subject area.
Former Director-General of the Department of Conservation, Lou Sanson, received his QSO this afternoon at Government House. One of his many achievements in his eight years at DOC was overseeing the Predator Free New Zealand Strategy. Also among this afternoon’s recipients was David Brunsdon, being honoured for services to engineering and emergency management. He was New Zealand Urban Search and Rescue's lead engineer following the Christchurch earthquakes. Other recipients were honoured for their contributions across the fields of agriculture, sport, healthcare, and music.
Eleven recipients were welcomed to Government House for their investiture this morning including former National President of New Zealand Red Cross, Dr Jenny McMahon. Dr McMahon was honoured for her work with the aid organisation, who she first became involved with in 1983.
Receiving today’s top honour was Professor Sir Jim Mann, who has pioneered research into non-communicable disease prevention and management for over 30 years. He was the inaugural director of Otago University’s Edgar National Centre for Diabetes and Obesity Research, which opened in 2004.
Today, Dame Cindy presented Honours recipients with insignia recognising outstanding achievements and service. Eminent author Emeritus Professor Sir Vincent O'Sullivan received the accolade when he was re-designated from a DCNZM to a KNZM. Recipients were also recognised for their services to science, health, victims of family and sexual violence, the legal profession, conservation, Māori, inclusive education, the community and philanthropy.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies started their Anzac Day by attending the Dawn Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The service included performances by the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir, and readings by Air Marshal Kevin Short, Chief of Defence Force, and BJ Clark, President of the RNZRSA. Following the service, Their Excellencies went for coffee and Anzac biscuits at Mt Cook School, where they were pleased to meet a number of veterans who were in attendance, as well as Willie Apiata VC.
Following the Dawn Service earlier this morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended the Anzac Day National Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The Service began with a flypast from three T6-C Texan aircraft, and featured performances from the New Zealand Youth Choir.
You can find more images from the Dawn and National Commemoration Services, and Dame Cindy's Anzac Day addresses via the following links:
When Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei welcomed Dame Cindy and Dr Davies to Ōrākei Marae earlier this year, they presented Their Excellencies with a tukutuku panel that represents the maunga of Tāmaki Makaurau. Today, 'Rūaumoko' was unveiled in place in the Pavilion at Government House Auckland. The taonga takes its name from the Māori God of earthquakes and volcanoes.
Government House Auckland is situated at the base of Maungawhau/Mount Eden, which is one of the many dormant volcanoes that make up the landscape of Auckland.
In honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed some familiar faces back to Government House for a dinner on the 9th of April. Former Governors-General Dame Patsy Reddy, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Sir Anand Satyanand, along with Sir David Gascoigne, Lady Janine Mateparae and Lady Susan Satyanand, returned to Te Whare Kāwana o Te Whanganui-a-Tara for the occasion.
When Queen Elizabeth II became New Zealand’s monarch in 1952, Lt Gen the Lord Freyberg was Governor-General. So far, during Her Majesty’s reign Aotearoa New Zealand has had 16 Governors-General.
Dame Cindy welcomed eight new diplomatic representatives to New Zealand today at Government House, with the return of full-scale credentials ceremonies.
Presenting their letters of credence were: HE Mr Jose Emilio Bustinza Soto, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru; HE Dr Mohamed Said Khalifa Al Busaidi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman; HE Mr Riadh Dridi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia; HE Dr Radu-Gabriel Safta, Ambassador of Romania; HE Mr Michel Goffin, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium; HE Mr Margers Krams, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia; and HE Mrs Dianela Joselina Pi Cedrés, Ambassador of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. Dame Cindy also offically welcomed HE Ms Harinder Sidhu, the new High Commissioner of Australia.
You can find more photos from the ceremonies here:
This week the ICC Women's World Cup tournament is approaching its final stages. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted Cup personnel and New Zealand team captain, Sophie Devine, at a reception at Government House, where Dame Cindy, Hon Grant Robertson and Rt Hon Trevor Mallard were presented with souvenir bats that had been signed by captains of the eight teams taking part in the tournament.
Yesterday Dame Cindy went to one of the semi-final matches, between Australia and the West Indies, at the Basin Reserve.
Dame Cindy recently spent the week in Auckland, meeting with some remarkable organisations and individuals supporting their communities and fellow New Zealanders.
On Wednesday morning, Dame Cindy met with Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, who, among his many esteemed roles, leads Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures – an independent and apolitical think tank and research centre based at the University of Auckland. Koi Tū recently released a report on sustaining Aotearoa as a socially cohesive society. Dame Cindy also met with Dame Helen Winkelman, the Chief Justice, to discuss her inaugural report on the New Zealand courts' response to COVID-19.
The following morning, Dame Cindy paid a visit to the to the SPCA Centre in Māngere, to meet the team of brilliant staff and volunteers, as well as a few of the furred and feathered residents. The SPCA is a charity committed to the welfare of New Zealand animals: from the prevention of cruelty and animal rescue, to sheltering and rehousing. The SPCA relies on the support of the New Zealand public and its network of dedicated volunteers, and works tirelessly on behalf on New Zealand's most vulnerable animals.
Dame Cindy then visited Papatoetoe West School in Auckland, and got to see the Garden to Table programme in action. Garden to Table is a charitable trust which seeks to empower tamariki to grow, harvest, prepare, and share great food. Last year, more than 22,000 children across Aotearoa took part in the programme, spending more than 30,000 hours in the garden and kitchen, and eating more than 800,000 vegetable-based meals.
In the evening, at Government House, Dame Cindy hosted the official launch of Multiethnic Young Leaders NZ – an organisation seeking to eliminate barriers for ethnic New Zealanders and tangata whenua entering leadership spaces. Through its work, MYLN hopes to unlock the full leadership potential of all young people in New Zealand.
On Friday morning, Dame Cindy visited one of the TROW Group's projects in Glen Innes. TROW works to support a circular economy and create a more sustainable construction sector by repurposing over 90% of the materials it salvages. TROW also works closely with organisations such as the Tāmaki Regeneration Company, Tāmaki College, and the Fono, to improve social outcomes and enable community projects, both locally and in the Pacific.
Dame Cindy completed the trip with meetings with Turuki Healthcare, and with the Tindall Foundation. Turuki Healthcare provides whānau-based health, wellness, and social services to people in South Auckland. TTF was founded by Sir Stephen and Lady Margaret Tindall, and works throughout New Zealand to help ensure families, communities, and the environment can thrive now and in the future. To date, TTF has given out more than $200 million to New Zealand communities, organisations, and charities.
You can find more images of Dame Cindy's trip via the following links:
On Thursday, in a very special ceremony held at Government House Auckland, the Governor-General was invested as Dame of Justice of St John and installed as the Prior of St John, while Dr Davies was invested as an Officer of St John.
The investiture service for a new Prior would usually take place in the United Kingdom with the Duke of Gloucester in attendance. However, with Dame Cindy unable to travel overseas last year, this was the first time the service has taken place in New Zealand. The service included a karakia, short welcome and address by John Whitehead, Chancellor of St John, the investiture of both Dame Cindy and Dr Davies, followed by the installation of Dame Cindy.
The Order of St John is an ancient, international organisation, which operates in New Zealand to meet the health and wellbeing needs of New Zealanders. St John comprises both a paid and volunteer workforce, and helps in areas as diverse as an emergency ambulance service, modern emergency call centre, medical alarms, first aid training and kits, health shuttle services, a youth programme, caring callers, hospital volunteers, opportunity shops, and pet therapy.
The Prior is the head of the Order, and the role provides a unique opportunity for the Governor-General to be a part of one of the most respected and far-reaching organisations in New Zealand. Dr Davies will also serve St John as the Patron of Community Health Services.
Yesterday Dame Cindy hosted two events at Government House to celebrate Commonwealth Day 2022. The New Zealand Olympic Committee and guests attended a morning reception where NZOC Kuia Ranui Ngarimu and Kaumatua Ta Derek Lardelli presented Poupekapeka, a magnificent pounamu brooch to Dame Cindy, in recognition of her role as Patron. The Queen's Baton was then presented to Dame Cindy by Nigel Avery, New Zealand's Chef de Mission for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games; Olympic swimmer Lewis Clareburt; and former Olympic heptathlete Sarah Cowley Ross.
In the evening, Dame Cindy hosted a Commonwealth Day celebration that featured a military trumpet fanfare; Dame Cindy delivering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Commonwealth Day message; a speech from the Prime Minister, delivered by Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Youth; a speech by Kaya Selby, Commonwealth Youth New Zealand representative; Indian classical dance; and reflections from interfaith representatives. There were uplifting moments in the messages of collaboration, connection, friendship and peace and the opportunity for guests to hold the Queen's Baton were a symbolic reminder of the Commonwealth ties between nearly one third of the world's peoples.
Today, Dame Cindy hosted a virtual credentials ceremony for three new Ambassadors based overseas. Presenting credentials were HE Mr Ibrahim Shaheeb, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives; HE Mr Darius Degutis, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania; and HE Mr Mirlan Arstanbaev, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic.
This morning Dame Cindy spoke at an inspiring and informative virtual hui of the Aotearoa Circle, a cross-sector group that is working on developing roadmaps for a sustainable future for Aotearoa New Zealand. Hon Dr Megan Woods and Hon James Shaw also shared their thoughts on how government can work with other sectors to bring about change. Many thanks to all the sector leaders who have voluntarily given their valuable time, insights and expertise to arrive at a consensus and develop roadmaps for the future of low carbon energy, the seafood industry and mana kai (a food strategy) in Aotearoa.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed members of the Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade who achieved to the highest level their respective organisations. The Queen’s Badge, Loyal Perseverance and Queen’s Award recipients have dedicated years to community service, spiritual and physical education and building leadership skills.
After the ceremony, guests made the most of the stunning Wellington weather with a picnic on the Government House lawn.
This morning, Dame Cindy held credentials ceremonies for three new Ambassadors to New Zealand. HE Mr Wang Xiaolong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China; HE Mr Nguyen Van Trung, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and HE Mrs Fientje Maritje Suebu, Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia presented their credentials and began their new diplomatic postings to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Seventy years ago, on 6 February 1952, a 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth asceded the throne, and became Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. In this, the Platinum Jubilee year, we celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years as Queen of New Zealand, reflect on the remarkable nature of this achievement, and acknowledge Her Majesty’s extraordinary life of service.
You can read Her Majesty’s Accession Day statement, and find further information relating to the Platinum Jubilee in New Zealand here.
This year was a departure from New Zealanders’ previous experiences of our national day. Most Waitangi Day gatherings were curtailed or cancelled due to public health considerations, but the advent of pre-recorded broadcasts enabled a broad audience to witness a thoughtful national conversation about what our national day means to us in 2022.
A range of perspectives was eloquently represented in the contributions of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and other political leaders, the Chief Justice and iwi leaders, thereby affirming the constitutional significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the evolving relationship between Treaty partners.
As Government House’s customary Waitangi Day garden reception could not be held this year, manaakitanga was instead extended to a neighbouring social service, the Wellington City Mission’s Social Supermarket, and in Auckland, to the RNZSPCA.
Today, 6 February is also a particularly significant anniversary for New Zealand’s Head of State, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, as it marks 70 years since Her Majesty's accession to the Crown. Buckingham Palace has published a message from Queen Elizabeth to mark the occasion, and Dame Cindy joins New Zealanders and people around the world in congratulating Her Majesty for an extraordinary record of devoted service.
This morning Dame Cindy welcomed the 2021 recipients of the Sir George Elliot Tertiary Scholarships. The scholarships have been awarded each year since 1999, recognising a student's academic ability, contributions to the community and achieving success through adversity. Congratulations to Ali Hussaini from Otahuhu College, Hirimaia Eketone from Avondale College and Vicki Chow from Epsom Girls Grammar.
Sir George Elliot was a successful businessman and philanthropist. He established the trust just prior to his death in 1956 to ensure his legacy would continue to benefit communities in Auckland.
Today's recipients have recently graduated from high school in Auckland. Receiving this scholarship will assist them as they begin the next stage of their education at University.
Ali, Hirimaia and Vicki now join the 67 other recipients to receive this scholarship since it began over two decades ago.
Last night at Government House, Their Excellencies enjoyed a real festive treat, with the Virtuoso Strings Orchestra playing a special Christmas concert. Established in 2013, and with acclaimed New Zealand-Samoan opera singer Jonathan Lemalu as its patron, Virtuoso Strings provides a safe and inclusive environment for young people to explore their musical talents. Its long-term mission is to help make New Zealand's orchestras more reflective of our country's cultural and socioeconomic makeup. The performance was a highlight of Dame Cindy's term so far, and a reminder of the true joy of music.
You can find more images from the event here, and Dame Cindy's speech here.
The final investiture ceremony for the year saw eight recipients receive their honours across a wide range of fields, including one of our most capped Black Ferns. Kendra Cocksedge received an MNZM for her outstanding rugby career, during which she won the Women’s Rugby World Cup twice and playing over 50 test for our national team. Also honoured was Professor Angus Macfarlane, for his contributions to education, psychology and Māori.
This afternoon's investiture ceremony welcomed eight recipients to Government House Wellington. These New Zealanders were acknowledged for their work across: the public service, music, education, nursing, governance, wildlife conservation and the community.
This round of Wellington investitures will conclude with tomorrow morning's ceremony.
