During World War II, the eyes and ears for the Allied effort in the pacific were coastwatch stations, keeping watch for ships and planes, and monitoring radio activity. They were manned by a mixture of Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force soldiers, civilian radio operators, and local Pacific Island radio operators. To give civilian coastwatchers more legal protection should they be captured, an attempt was made to attest them into military service. For the Cook Islands coastwatchers and a small number of Post and Telegraph coastwatchers, this did not eventuate and their service was not formally recognised. Today, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies, joined by representatives from the New Zealand Defence Force, welcomed descendants from these coastwatchers to recognise their service during the war.
Dame Cindy particularly acknowledged Willie Cuthers, who’s efforts to honour the service of his grandfather and his compatriots set in motion the official recognition the of civilian coastwatchers in the Pacific, and military historian John Crawford.
Mānawatia a Matariki! In the spirit of this year’s theme - Matariki heri kai - Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed some of The Auckland City Mission’s street whānau and staff to Government House Auckland to share a hāngī lunch, and to enjoy a concert by the Harmonic Resonators. The Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai has provided wrap-around support for Aucklanders in need for over 100 years, working towards ending food insecurity, enabling access to housing, administering very low-cost healthcare, and providing drug and alcohol detox and mental health support to people and families of greatest need. Last year, they provided over 50,000 food parcels, 20,000 low-cost health consultations and 480 housing solutions for people when they need it most. To learn more about the important work the Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai does, go to their website.
Since 2009, Garden to Table has been enabling New Zealand tamariki and rangatahi to grow, harvest, prepare and share healthy kai through their schools programme. What began with 3 schools has grown to over 300, stretching across the country from Northland to Rakiura. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the programme in Aotearoa, Dr Davies welcomed members of the Garden to Table Trust, its supporters and some partnering schools to Government House Auckland yesterday evening. Dr Davies reflected on Garden to Table's positive impact on our young people, noting what Dame Cindy experienced seeing the programme in action at Papatoetoe West School in 2022, and when he welcomed students to Government House for a pollinator pathway lesson last year.
Ngāti Porou Hauora is the sole primary healthcare provider for a challenging geographic area that stretches over 200km of Tairāwhiti coastline. This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Te Puia Springs Hospital, where they met staff and patients and toured the facilities. Built in 1903 with gifted use of land and support from Te Whānau a Iritekura, Te Puia Springs Hospital was initially used to care for returning soldiers suffering from tuberculosis, and later a maternity annex was added. Dr Davies has his own very personal connection with the hospital, where he spends periods working as a locum and relieving doctor.
They then travelled to Ruatoria for the investiture ceremony of Ta Selwyn Parata KNZM, which took place in the presence of many hundreds of proud and joyful Ngāti Porou, as well as iwi from across Aotearoa, and distinguished guests including former Prime Ministers, a former Chief Justice, and former and current Government Ministers.
During Cyclone Gabrielle, the Waipaoa River changed its course and drowned the small community of Te Karaka. This morning Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Claude Ruru to see his house, which like many in Te Karaka, has been raised metres to withstand future flooding events. They then viewed a temporary village before going to Mahaki Tiaki Tangata Evacuation Site.
After seeing the temporary housing ‘pods’ provided to whānau in Te Karaka, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Buildsmart in Gisborne, which has provided many of the pods and is constructing hundreds of relocatable houses for iwi in the region. Their Excellencies then visited residents in Gisborne whose houses were flooded during Cyclone Gabrielle.
You can find more images from Their Excellencies' time with the Te Hapara residents in the Te Hapara image gallery.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies then made their way up the iconic State Highway 35 to beautiful Uawa Tolaga Bay. First, they visited the Māori health promotion, advocacy, and support agency Te Whare Hauora o te Aitanga a Hauiti. During and after Cyclone Gabrielle the organisation provided extensive practical and mental health support to the community, and continue to work to empower whānau in all areas relating to their own health and wellbeing.
Finally, Their Excellencies visited the Uawa Tolaga Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade for the very special investiture ceremony of Mr Eruera Kaiwai, QSM. Eru, as he is widely and fondly known, has been a volunteer with the Tolaga Bay Fire Brigade since 1957. He is a kaumātua at Puketawai Marae, and has been a minister at tangihanga, weddings, and hui. Eru also helped to establish Ngāti Radio and chairs Tolaga Bay Golden Oldies. Our very warmest congratulations to Eru, his whānau and friends.
Wairoa was one of the hardest-hit regions by Cyclone Gabrielle. This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies met the Mayor, Craig Little and Councillors, as well as members of the Response Team helping whanau with the repair of houses. They saw first-hand the impacts of flooding during site visits to the magnificent Takitimu Marae and a private home currently being repaired and refurbished.
You can find more images from Their Excellencies' time in Wairoa in the Wairoa image gallery.
This afternoon, Dame Cindy visited Nuhaka School. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the school community was forced to relocate several times, with their buildings entirely flooded out. The school has found a temporary home at the meetinghouse of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints until they can be returned to their original site, which is be reopened in early 2025.
In her speech, Dame Cindy acknowledged the bravery and resilience of the Nuhaka School community: ‘The beautiful wairua of this school represents the courage and resolve of many dedicated people, and carries the hopes and dreams of many more. I wish everyone here, all the very best for your future.’
This morning, between rain and bursts of brilliant sun, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were welcomed into the Hawke’s Bay region with a beautiful pōwhiri at Waipatu Marae. Waipatu is a hub of impressive community facilities and has been a haven for people displaced by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Their Excellencies met members of the community affected by the cyclone, and toured the marae’s extensive community garden, as well as Māmia, a support unit for mothers and babies. In her speech at the marae, Dame Cindy spoke of how deeply honoured she was that members of the community had come in such numbers to warmly welcome her and Dr Davies to the region.
Woodford House was the next stop, where the students gathered in the school's historic chapel and performed waiata for Their Excellencies. A tour of the school followed, including a visit to a science lab, and the girls had an opportunity in a Q&A session to ask Dame Cindy about her role.
The day concluded with a community reception in Havelock North for volunteers, first responders, and a broad range of people from across Hawke's Bay communities who were involved in the response and recovery efforts following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Since 1965, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has been providing New Zealanders of any age, in any industry, and at any stage in their career, the chance to travel overseas to learn from others. These learnings are then brought back to Aotearoa, and applied for the betterment of our communities. Yesterday in the Legislative Council Chamber at Parliament, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies joined the newest fellows in celebrating the work they have achieved on their fellowships, which ranged from sustainable urban design and water management practices, to digital health equity and investigating young people’s democratic participation. They also honoured the Churchill McNeish Writers’ Fellows, who undertake writing residencies around the world. This event was a full-circle moment for Dr Davies, who received a Churchill Fellowship in 2018 to study approaches for improving primary healthcare for the long-term homeless.
This morning, in the Grand Hall of Parliament, Dame Cindy had the great pleasure of hosting renowned primatologist and environmental activist Dr Jane Goodall, who is visiting New Zealand on her Reasons for Hope Tour.
During the event, Jane shared her reasons for hope in conversation with Ms Nicola Toki, the CEO of Forest & Bird. She also discussed her ongoing research interests, as well as her work as a UN Messenger of Peace and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots – a youth conservation education programme which reaches millions of young people in more than 60 countries around the world.
In her speech, Dame Cindy acknowledged Dr Jane's remarkable contributions over the past six decades: 'Such a long and distinguished career not only reflects your steely determination, legendary work ethic, and uncanny powers of observation – but also an abiding sense of joy and wonder in the world around you, as well as a generosity of spirit, which, for so many years, has compelled you to share that joy and wonder with others.'
On this crisp Wellington morning, four new diplomatic heads of mission were welcomed to Government House for their credentials ceremony. HE Ms Manahi Anahiro Pakarati Novoa, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile; HE Dr Faisal Aziz Ahmed, High Commissioner for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; HE Mrs Elisabeth Koegler, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria; and HE Mr Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic, presented their credentials to Dame Cindy as they begin their diplomatic posting to Aotearoa. In a particularly special ceremony, HE Ms Manahi Pakarati, who is Chile’s only diplomat of Polynesian Rapanui descent, gave her speech entirely in Te Reo. We wish them all the very best for their new roles.
Today's Guard of Honour and Māori cultural group were from the Royal New Zealand Navy, and the band from the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Today at Government House, a very special ceremony was held to commemorate the Change of Command for the new Chief of Defence, AM Tony Davies. AM Tony Davies, previously Vice Chief of Defence, has been with the Royal New Zealand Air Force since 1984. He received an MNZM for his role as Mission Commander of a mid-winter medical rescue in Antarctica in 1998, rescuing eleven people from McMurdo Station. In her address at the promotion of AM Davies, Dame Cindy also thanked outgoing Chief of Defence AM Kevin Short for his immense contributions to our Defence Force, including his time as the longest serving CDF for 50 years. AM Short chose today, D-Day, to conclude his military career in honour of his Grandfather who landed on the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago.
For the final New Year 2024 investiture ceremony at Government House Wellington, eleven recipients received their insignia for outstanding contributions both here and abroad. Among them was master weaver Matekino Lawless, who has been weaving for over 60 years. Her works have been showcased both nationally and internationally, and she is a founding member of an advisory group for senior raranga artists. Dr Megan Balks received the New Zealand Antarctic Medal, for services to Antarctic soil science. Dr Balks is one of Aotearoa’s leading soil scientists, and has completed 19 expeditions to study human environmental impact on the Antarctic permafrost. Her research has led to the establishment of Antarctic soil climate monitoring stations, which monitor the effect of climate change in polar areas.
On this brisk, beautiful morning in Wellington, Dame Cindy recognised the achievements and service of 12 further recipients of Royal New Zealand Honours. Among those recognised was Professor Tim Bell for his contributions to computer science education, in particular through his work on compression, which transforms text into a format that enables efficient storage and transmission. Ms Rose Wilkinson was also acknowledged for her advocacy for the rights of blind and vision-impaired people – while Mr Lyall Bailey received his QSM for his years of service to the Winton community, including through running a rural mail service with his wife. Our very warmest congratulations to all recipients.
Children’s author David Hill was among the recipients for this afternoon’s investiture ceremony at Government House Wellington. Mr Hill has published over 50 books including See Ya, Simon and Right Where It Hurts, and is also a columnist, playwright, and mentor to emerging writers. Mrs Raana Tuuta received a QSM for her services to Māori and the community. Among her many roles on the Chatham Islands, Mrs Tuuta is the kuia and Kai Karanga for the community, chaired the Island’s Federated Farmers Association, is a board member for the Department of Conservation Chatham Islands Committee and taught kapa haka at Te One Primary School.
Beautiful harmonies featured in the waiata at this morning's investiture ceremony at Government House, where the Royal Honours recipients included renowned architect Pip Cheshire, CNZM; Professor Rangi Matamua, ONZM, who has promoted wider appreciation of Māori language, culture, and astronomy; and singer, composer and Māori music champion Tama Waipara.
Dame Cindy welcomed nine recipients to Government House Wellington for their investiture ceremony this afternoon, including horticulturalist Murray McPhail, who founded LeaderBrand in 1975. The fresh produce company has now grown to become one of the largest employers in Tairāwhiti. Also among those recognised was Associate Professor Tristram Ingham, who received an ONZM for his advocacy for the disability community. His contributions include helping to establish Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled people, and being a representative on the Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) to the United Nations.
This morning, at Government House, Dame Cindy presented insignia to ten recipients of Royal Honours. Ross Wilson, CNZM, has held influential leadership roles in the union movement, and the fields of workplace safety and accident compensation. Paul Gibson, QSO has been recognised for his advocacy for and contributions to disability rights. Rose Henderson, ONZM has played leading roles in Aotearoa and internationally in social work and health administration, and cardiothoracic surgeon Richard Brunton, ONZM has made a significant contribution as a surgeon, educator, and adviser to government agencies.
This morning, Dame Cindy presented insignia to eleven recipients of Royal Honours, including football administrator Dr Johanna Wood, CNZM, who led the bidding for the hosting rights of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023, and was the first female President of the New Zealand Football Executive Committee; former MP, Labour Party President and human-rights advocate, The Honourable Maryan Street, MNZM; Major-General Evan Williams, ONZM, former Force Commander for the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai; and Lieutenant Commander Louis Mundon-Hooper, who played a key role in the development and delivery of HMNZS AOTEAROA for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Our warmest congratulations to all the recipients.
For this afternoon’s investiture ceremony at Government House Wellington, 10 recipients were recognised for their services to Aotearoa New Zealand. Dr Will Edwards was received an ONZM for his contributions to Māori Health, including his time as Director of Tui Ora – a Kaupapa Māori social health and wellbeing provider based in Taranaki – and his role in the Māori Health Committee of the Health Research Council of New Zealand. Also among those recognised was Mary-Jane Rivers, who helped found the first Women’s Refuge in the North Island, and was the first CEO of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
This morning, eleven Royal Honours recipients and their guests were welcomed to the first of nine investiture ceremonies to be held this month at Government House Wellington. Recipients included Yolanda Soryl, CNZM, who was acknowledged for her work in developing phonics education, Professor Frank Bloomfield, ONZM, whose research has advanced knowledge of fetal development and infant nutrition, and Dr Graeme Elliott, ONZM, who was recognised for his research into New Zealand's endangered birds and the threats to their survival. Our warmest congratulations to all the recipients.
Last night, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a State Dinner in honour of the Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, and his Good Lady, Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo.
Guests included Samoan New Zealanders who have contributed to New Zealand in a variety of fields.
On this crisp, clear Wellington morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a very special State Ceremony of Welcome for His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, the Head of State of Samoa, and His Good Lady, Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimaleaeli’ifano. The ceremony included a guard of honour executed beautifully by members of the New Zealand Defence Force, as well as wonderful performances by students from Wellington College and Naenae Primary School's Tava’e Samoan Bilingual Unit. For the occasion, Their Excellencies wore tapa cloths gifted to them during their State Visit to Samoa back in 2022.
Our warmest welcome to His Highness and His Good Lady, and we wish them all the very best for their State Visit to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The current round of investiture ceremonies concluded this morning at Government House Auckland. Tōhunga whakairo (master carver) Clive Fugill was among those recognised today by Dame Cindy, for his lifetime of commitment to the craft of carving, and for supporting the next generation of carving talent. Barbara Dreaver received her ONZM for her staunch commitment to the highest-quality investigative journalism, and to telling New Zealand and Pacific stories – while vastly experienced literary editor Harriet Allan received her MNZM for her role in nurturing some of New Zealand's finest writers over the past 35 years.
Our very warmest congratulations once again to all those outstanding recipients acknowledged today and over the past two weeks – and our thanks for your service to Aotearoa New Zealand and your commitment to excellence.
Dr Kevin Trenberth was among the seven recipients of Royal New Zealand Honours insignia this morning at Government House Auckland. Dr Trenberth is a world-renowned scientist in the field of climate variability and climate change, who holds several distinguished fellowships, and was a lead author of three Scientific Assessment of Climate Change reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, sharing in the Panel’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Mrs Letty Brown was also acknowledged for her lifelong service to Māori and early childhood education, particularly through her support of and advocacy for the Kohanga Reo movement. Very warmest congratulations to all of this morning's recipients!
Dame Cindy hosted a further investiture ceremony this afternoon at Government House Auckland, recognising the achievements and service of six outstanding New Zealanders. Recipients today were acknowledged for their contributions across the fields of search and rescue, governance and Māori, food science and nutrition, cricket, sailing administration, and the Indian community. Very warmest congratulations to all of this afternoon's recipients.
This evening at the Due Drop Events Centre in Auckland, Dame Cindy attended a gala dinner as part of Whaiora o Ngā Iwi Taketake – the inaugural conference hosted by Te Hononga o Tāmaki me Hoturoa. Te Hononga is a hauora Māori health provider based in Tāmaki Makaurau, and its conference, which runs for four days, is a celebration of indigenous peoples and knowledge, and seeks to foster a holistic approach to community and whānau wellbeing. Attendees included Māori health professionals, researchers, policy makers, academics, students, business owners, and community workers focused on indigenous health.
Investiture ceremonies continued this morning at Government House Auckland, with seven further recipients acknowledged for their outstanding achievements and service to Aotearoa New Zealand. Sir Ian Mune received his knighthood for a lifetime of service to New Zealand film, television, and theatre. Many New Zealanders will know Sir Ian for his roles co-writing and performing in the classic New Zealand films ‘Sleeping Dogs’ (1977) and ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’ (1981), as well as directing ‘Came a Hot Friday’ (1984). Other recipients received their insignia for services to journalism, gymnastics, Māori health and social services, dance, heritage preservation, and photography. Our warmest congratulations to all those acknowledged at this morning's very special ceremony.
Seven further recipients were welcomed to Government House this afternoon for their investiture ceremony, including Kevin Prime, who received a CNZM for services to Māori, the environment and health. Mr Prime is a member of the Waitangi Tribunal, founding secretary of the Ngāti Hine Health Trust, and is a Commissioner on the Environment Court. Also among those recognised was Dr Shirley Jülich for services to restorative justice and survivors of sexual abuse. Since the 1990s, Dr Jülich has worked in the restorative justice community to help abuse survivors experience a sense of justice. Congratulations to all of this afternoon’s recipients.
This morning, Dame Cindy welcomed seven recipients for their investiture ceremony this morning, including Pacific children’s health advocate, Dame Teuila Percival. Dame Teuila is a founding member of South Seas Healthcare, which has grown to provide healthcare for over 120,000 people in South Auckland. Through South Seas, Dame Teuila has also provided medical expertise across the Pacific, including as being the leading clinician in response to the 2009 tsunami in Samoa. Also among those recognised was Jo-anne Wilkinson, who was awarded a CNZM for services to youth. Since her involvement in developing the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s youth programmes in 1995, more than 300,000 rangatahi have participated. Congratulations to all this morning’s recipients!
As patron of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, this afternoon Dame Cindy welcomed the 2024 graduates of the NZOC Wāhine Toa Leadership programme to Government House Auckland. The programme, which began in 2017, offers female athletes a 13-month learning environment to help them transition from playing sport, to a career in sports leadership. Niniwa Roberts, who played 141 games for the Black Sticks before moving on to participate in the Wāhine Toa programme, spoke to this year’s graduates about how it has shaped her leadership journey. We wish the 2024 graduates all the very best for their futures in sports leadership.
This morning, Dame Helen welcomed eight outstanding New Zealanders for their investiture ceremony, including Sir Scott Macfarlane, who was recognised for transforming the treatment of child cancer in New Zealand. Sir Scott led the development of the National Child Cancer Network, which helped reduce inequity of child cancer treatment across Aotearoa. As a result of this coordinated approach, the child cancer survival rate rose from every second child not surviving 40 years ago, to more than 80% surviving today.
Also among those recognised was Bill Urale, better known as King Kapisi, who was the first hip hop artist to receive the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll songwriting award. He was also recognised for his work in the community, including his advocacy for the Turning the Tide on Suicide campaign and Whare 4 Whānau. Congratulations to all of today’s recipients!
