Happy Birthday to Good Bitches Baking, who came to Government House to mark five years of service to New Zealanders with a celebration of kindness.
Founders Nicole Murray and Marie Fitzpatrick have marshalled a troupe of volunteer bakers from all around New Zealand who bake for people who are going through a rough time. Nic and Marie estimate far in excess of half a million moments of sweetness have been distributed since they started and the organisation continues to grow.
Dame Patsy got in on the baking action by asking Government House chefs Yann Robert and Vicki Young to bake a special cake. Yes, that is a chocolate rolling pin and beater on top!
Thanks to all those Good Bitches all around New Zealand who keep demonstrating that kindness matters.
Dame Patsy and Sir David have been in Tokyo, where they represented New Zealand at the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, the 126th monarch of Japan. This was followed by a Court Banquet at the Imperial Palace. Yesterday they visited Nezu Museum to see some of its significant collection of pre-modern Asian art. At Waseda University, Dame Patsy spoke to students about female leadership in New Zealand, and in the evening, Dame Patsy and Sir David attended a banquet hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.
Dame Patsy officiated at the opening of a new facility for Breastscreen Auckland and St Marks Breast Centre following a Powhiri led by Ngāti Whatua Orakei. The special purpose facility has been designed to suit the specific needs of its female clients. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in NZ and screening is available free to all women aged between 40 and 69. The survival rate for women whose cancer is detected through mammogram screening is over 92%.
Last night Dame Patsy and Sir David joined guests at the annual Graeme Dingle Foundation Excellence Awards to celebrate the achievements of young graduates of the Foundation's youth development programmes - and to acknowledge the mentors, volunteers and leaders who delivered the programmes to over 27,000 students this year.
The award winners' personal accounts highlight the transformative and empowering aspects of the Foundation's programmes.
Dame Patsy presented the MYND Youth Achievement Award to Dontae Marino.
Crimestoppers had plenty to celebrate as they marked their 10th anniversary at Government House in Wellington. Displays offered an insight into exactly how much crime the anonymous tipline has had a hand in solving and their work isn't over yet.
Based on a UK initiative, Crimestoppers commitment to anonymity for the people who contact it has never been shaken. Guests heard from a number of speakers about the organisations origins and the incredible work it does passing on information to the Police and other agencies.
Inaugural chair John Perham was acknowledged for his massive contribution to the organisation over the last decade.
On Tuesday in Gisborne, the Tuia 250 flotilla was enlarged with the arrival of European vessels: HMB Edeavour, R Tucker Thompson and Spirit of New Zealand.
This will be the start of the flotilla's journey around New Zealand, and a journey into the history of Aotearoa. The presence of the waka hourua Haunui and Ngahiraka Mai Taiwhiti, and the Tahitian va'a Fa'afaite will highlight the voyaging traditions of Polynesia and iwi Maori, and encourage the telling of the iwi stories of encounter with Europeans and the impact of colonisation.
This week the rebalancing of history was celebrated in cultural expression at the Tairawhiti Arts Festival and in the new sculptures adjacent to the early 20th century Cook Memorial; and the memorial to Te Maro on the hill above.
Yesterday the Tuia 250-Encounters commemorations commenced in Gisborne. The commemorations celebrate the Polynesian voyaging tradition, the beginning of Polynesian settlement of Aotearoa, 750 years ago, and the meeting of Maori and Pakeha on land, when the crew of the Endeavour ventured ashore at Turanga (Gisborne) 250 years ago.
The crew of the waka were met by a large crowd, including a delegation from Tahiti and proceeded around the waterfront to be received in a pohiri.
Another haka pohiri and hakari followed at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae, where the Tahitian delegation was welcomed and performed.
A busy day concluded with a visit to the theatre to see the world premiere of Hapai Productions' Witi's Wahine, based on female characters in Witi Ihimaera's fiction. The performances by Mere Boynton, Roimata Fox, Ani-Piki Tuari, Ngapaki Moetara were outstanding, reflecting the sure hand of Nancy Brunning's direction.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception celebrating the successful conclusion of a major refurbishment of the Katherine Mansfield House and Garden.
The project saw the roof replaces, an upgrade of the heating and ventilation systems, the installation of a kitchenb plus a refresh of the interior.
Guests included contractors, furniture experts and volunteers who had all played a part in the restoration.
The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake made the building that housed Defence and the Ministry of Defence uninhabitable. Today Dame Patsy and Hon Ron Mark, Minister of Defence, formally opened a new Defence House by unveiling the signage. Dame Patsy also cut a ribbon at the front entrance.
The building, which is behind Parliament buildings, has been gutted, earthquake-strengthened to 100 per cent of New Building Standard, increased in size by nearly 9000m2, refurbished and provided with a new facade.
In her speech, Dame Patsy recalled the times in the 19th century when Governors took on the operational responsibilities of a Commander-in-Chief.
The opening concluded with the ceremonial cutting of a cake by Dame Patsy and Chief of Defence, Air Marshall Kevin Short.
Dame Patsy hosted the final investiture ceremony of 2019 in the ballroom of Dunedin's famed Larnach Castle.
19 New Zealanders were recognised for their services to documentary filmmaking, natural history, conservation, sexual and reproductive health,wildlife conservation, tourism and recreation, the State, sport, youth,seniors, local government, journalism,women, the community,education, cycling, the Pacific community, the environment, broadcasting, theatre and Antarctic science.
Dame Patsy hosted the final investiture ceremony of 2019 in the ballroom of Dunedin's famed Larnach Castle.
19 New Zealanders were recognised for their services to documentary filmmaking, natural history, conservation, sexual and reproductive health,wildlife conservation, tourism and recreation, the State, sport, youth,seniors, local government, journalism,women, the community,education, cycling, the Pacific community, the environment, broadcasting, theatre and Antarctic science.
That's not actually what Dame Patsy said but the black and white SPCA puppy who was given her forever name this morning at Government House seemed quite happy as the SPCA launched its Giving Hearts legacy programme in Wellington.
The programme allows people to remember the SPCA in their wills and also offers help with looking after and rehoming pets when their owners pass on. Participants in the programme also get to name SPCA animals, a lovely way of remembering a treasured pet.
So Dame Patsy's Coco now has two namesakes - one in Auckland and one in Wellington.
Dame Patsy received a farewell call from the Ambassador of Switzerland, HE David Vogelsanger at Government House in Wellington this morning. New Zealand was the final posting for the Ambassador who will retire from diplomatic life in six days.
To date, nearly 900 New Zealanders have been Churchill Fellows, travelling overseas to further their knowledge in an incredibly diverse range of fields. The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was established in the 1960s, with fellowships awarded to people whose research will have practical outcomes, and result in a report on their findings on their return to New Zealand. From this year onwards, Churchill Fellows will be able to write CF after their names.
Phil Squire, representing the 25 Fellows at today's ceremony, spoke about his research trip to Germany and the UK to look at urban sustainability measures that might be implemented in New Zealand.
Services to governance, the community, women, library information management and the arts, television and theatre, sport, woodchopping, youth, philanthropy, and the Tokelauan community.
Dame Kerry Prendergast was recognised for her many leadership roles in local government, the arts, and various organisations at a national and local level.
Congratulations to the 16 New Zealanders recognised at Government House this morning for their services to local, government, the community, conservation, people with rare health disorders, the blind community, music education, wildlife conservation, the wool industry and sustainability, the arts, sport, Māori, mental health support, badminton, and pipe bands.
This afternoon's honour recipients received insignia for services to Cook Islands business and tourism, people with intellectual disabilities, design, the New Zealand Kennel Club, education, rugby, gliding, Maori and Maori arts, horticulture and the arts.
Science, youth health, wildlife conservation and opthalmology were just some of the areas this morning's 16 honours recipients have made an impact on.
Dame Sue Bagshaw was recognised for her 30 year career in the youth health sector, while Professor Charlie Eason's CNZM was for science leadership and expertise in predator control.
Members of the Defence Force, Police, Fire and Emergency and the Coastguard received insignia for the Queen's Birthday Honours at a ceremony at Government House this morning. In addition, services to criminal psychology and victim support were acknowledged.
Congratulations to everybody recognised for their service at this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington.
Sir Paul Adams received the insignia of a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philanthropy and the community while others were recognised for their contributions to local government; rehabilitative programmes; mental health and addiction services; Māori art, the Catholic Church; softball; children and State; theology; Māori and education; music; theatre; Scouting; athletics; family support and health and the community.
As a tribute to one of our most distinguished scientists, the late Sir Paul Callaghan, the Eureka! Young Science Leaders programme was established to encourage and recognise excellence in science communication. The 12 finalists come together in Wellington to compete for the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Premier Award. This year's winner was Lila Madden.
The finalists also participate in a Eureka! Symposium, this year held at Government House. Guest speakers were Professor James Renwick (climate change), Dr Jo Horrocks (disaster resilience) and Lisa McLaren (Zero Carbon Act). The topic for the following workshop was Resilience, and science broadcaster Veronika Meduna was rapporteur.
Broadcaster Kim Hill and Dr Peter Buchanan also received Paul Harris Awards for their contributions towards science communication.
The 2020 Waitangi Day Garden Reception is being held at Government House in Wellington on Thursday 6 February.
We want as many New Zealanders as possible to have the opportunity to join Their Excellencies in marking this special day, so once again we're making a number of invitations available via a public ballot.
Each successful entrant will receive an invite for themselves and a friend to attend next year's reception, which includes entertainment, food and beverages as well as Dame Patsy's Waitangi Day address.
We've streamlined the ballot form so this year you should find entering easier.
The final investiture ceremony for the week saw nine women and three men receive their insignia from Dame Patsy. Services to Maori and Maori language education, haemotology and obstetrics, midwifery, health, dancing, the arts, and diverse communities were all recognised at the ceremony.
12 more recipients were honoured for their services to youth and education, family violence prevention, women, engineering, domestic violence prevention and the State, rugby, victim support, seniors, the community, the Niuean community and sport.
Coaching great Sir Graham Lowe was recognised for his contribution to youth and education and a special moment was provided by taonga puoro practitioner (and former Government House Artist in Residence) Horomona Horo, who welcomed the recipients in with the conch and later accompanied the waiata for recipient Roma Balzer, his mother-in-law.
There was also a stirring haka performed for recipient Hinewirangi Morgan by a group of guests.
There was a strong Pasifika presence amongst the thirteen recipients at this afternoon's investiture ceremony. Honours were awarded for outstanding sporting achievements; and for dedicated service to communities, youth, education, workers' rights, and music.
Congratulations to New Zealand's newest theatrical knight, Sir Roger Hall and the 12 other New Zealanders who were recognised at Government House in Auckland for their contributions to ballet, health,mental health awareness and suicide prevention, photography, the Pacific and LGBTQI+ communities, literature, athletics, education, the Samoan community and the community.
Contributions to the arts and conservation was a strong theme at this morning's investiture ceremony, along with services to Maori, the community, counselling, palliative care and equestrian sports. Congratulations to Dame Fran Walsh and the twelve further recipients of Queen's Birthday Honours.
Congratulations to the 11 New Zealanders, recognised for their contribution to social policy, Māori, psychiatry, the New Zealand Defence Force, women, the State, woodturning, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, art and governance and Māori art at this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House. Thank you for the difference you have made in your fields of expertise and your communities.
Yesterday Dame Patsy visited the Suffrage in Stitches exhibition at Wellington Museum. The exhibition consists of panels depicting a personal response to particular women who signed the suffrage petition in 1893. Hundreds of people responded to the invitation to become involved in the project and used various media on the panels to convey something of the women's lives. It's a fascinating homage to women's suffrage and an addition to the historical record.
This morning we were fortunate to have clear skies for the official welcome for new diplomatic envoys at Government House. HE Mr Sudesh Maniar, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore, HE Mr Stefan Krawielicki, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany and HE Mr Tomas Ferko, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic were welcomed with a powhiri, before presenting their credentials to Dame Patsy.
Children were front and centre at a reception celebrating 25 years of the Duffy Books in Homes programme. Stemming from an encounter author Alan Duff had with a group of children who didn't own books, Duffy Books in Homes will give out it's 13 millionth book this year - that's more books than are held in the entire New Zealand library system.
Amongst the speakers was one of the first people to receive a Duffy book, Charles Ropitini. A former opera singer who now works for Napier City Council, Charles told guests how the book he received was the first thing that had ever solely belonged to him and spoke movingly of how illiteracy closes down people's opportunities.
The stars of the night were the students from St Anne's School who sang the Duffy song and did some kapa haka.
