Government House Auckland was gifted to the Queen for the use of Governors-General by Sir Frank and Lady Mappin, who were noted horticulturalists and philanthropists. The grounds that they created, a garden of national significance, needed to be protected and developed in a sympathetic manner.
The Grounds Committee has been tasked with advising on that work, and today, at a lunch to mark 50 years of its work, Dame Patsy planted a kawaka on the lawn. Sir Rob Fenwick, grandson and inaugural member of the committee, marked his retirement from the role by planting another kawaka.
Governor Hobson provided a naval guardship for the first Auckland regatta, and every year since, the Royal New Zealand Navy has kept up that tradition for the Auckland Anniversary Day regatta. Today, Dame Patsy and Sir David joined the crew and guests on HMNZS Canterbury, which proved to be a perfect vantage point to see yachts of all sizes and vintages competing in the ocean races, as well as several cruise ships in the harbour.
Today Dame Patsy received a call from new Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor and wife Wendy Proctor.
Coco came along to supervise proceedings and was happy to join in the photo along with Sir David, the Chief of Navy's Flag Lieutenant Caitlin Wiseman and new ADC Dany Rassam.
Dame Patsy and Sir David were given a special tour of the new Wildbase Recovery facility in Palmerston North. The facility, which is in it's commissioning phase, is will be a rehabilitation centre for some of the many New Zealand birds operated on at Massey's Wildbase Hospital.
Dame Patsy is Wildbase patron and was interested to see the faciltities and hear more about the work of the centre, which will have a strong educational focus alongside its conservation work.
Over $4 million of the $7 million cost was raised within the community, with school mufti days and cake stalls adding to the totals raised from local businesses and sponsors. Substantial support was also received from the Central Energy Trust.
Once it's opened to the public, the facility will be free to visit. Despite there being no guest birds receiving rehabilitation, Dame Patsy did get to see the resident tuatara, tui and kaka.
Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the final concert of the NZ Opera School's 2019 season. The concert, "Great Opera Moments 2019) featured 20 up and coming New Zealand singers who were specially chosen to study with international tutors.
After the concert, Dame Patsy presented some prizes with Samson Setu being awarded the Dame Sister Mary Leo and Guy and Sue Haddleton scholarships.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a function for people and organisations who have had a role in the running of Government House in Auckland over the last year. Guests ranged from electricians and security specialists to cleaning company staff, art experts and all points in between.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in helping us maintain the high standards of Government House this year.
Today, Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Kauri Flats School in Takanini, Auckland.
Pupils have been attending the school since 2017 but building only finished recently. The area is experiencing lots of growth and the roll of 130 is expected to expand by at least another 100 students next year.
Dame Patsy spoke and declared the school officially open and then watched some very impressive student performances.The haka featuring the whole school was particularly impressive.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a second dinner to thank arts patrons for their support for New Zealand's creative sector, this time at Government House in Auckland.
Actor and Arts Foundation Laureate Cliff Curtis spoke about the effect philanthropy has on the arts and the Harriet Friedlander New York Residency was officially presented to dancer Lucy Marinkovich and musician Lucien Johnson.
The evening was rounded out by a performance from up and coming young opera singer Madison Nonoa.
This evening Government House celebrated the arts in New Zealand with the people who help to make it possible for artists, writers and performers to develop their talent, create new works and make us think about who we are and where we are going.
Composer John Psathas spoke about the role that arts patronage had played in his career and Paula Morris was presented with the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship. Musical interludes were provided by the NZSO String Quartet and bass Martin Snell sang arias, accompanied by Bruce Greenfield.
Heart Kids Wellington couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate their 30th anniversary, with blue skies and sunshine the order of the day at Government House.
Maia the Heart Kids Bear and Marshall from Paw Patrol proved popular, as did the bouncy castle and face painting. An appearance by Anna and Elsa from 'Frozen' who sang, danced and told stories was also a huge hit.
Special guests, Heart Kids founders Linda Davies and Michelle Mann spoke about their experiences dealing with the hospital system that led to the foundation of Heart Children, the organisation now known as Heart Kids.
The sun shone for today's visit by helicopter to Waiouru, where 34 New Zealand officer cadets and 8 officer cadets from 5 other nations graduated from their commissioning course, and performed precision parade ground drills to the accompaniment of the Army Band. Friends and whanau were on hand to congratulate the new officers. We couldn't stay for the dinner and ball this evening, but it's sure to be a wonderful night of celebration.
Yesterday Dame Patsy joined 800 plus women at the Bold Steps Conference in Auckland. The conference was initiated by women who are leaders in their field and provides the attendees with opportunities to hear inspiring advice about career progression and networking.
Dame Patsy was a guest speaker, and noted that New Zealand has normalised having women in top positions. She spoke about the importance of respect for the people that we work with directly, of understanding oneself and what we are capable of doing, and remaining positive.
Coco had competition for the affections of Dame Patsy and Sir David after a visit to Te Hopai Home and Hospital in Wellington this morning. They were there to observe the work of Canine Friends Pet Therapy, a volunteer organisation that takes dogs into hospitals and rest homes. Pet therapy has been found to be very valuable for older people and it was obvious that many of the residents had a strong bond with the therapy dogs.
Star of the show was Jack, the well-trained Border Collie who did a skateboard demonstration for the residents and a rather impressed Dame Patsy and Sir David.
Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand has been supporting individuals and families for 50 years. Tonight's reception at Government House acknowledged the tireless efforts of volunteers, medical personnel, researchers and families who have made a difference in the lives of people living with CF, which is the most common incurable disease in New Zealand, currently affecting over 500 children and adults. At tonight's reception, a memorial candle was lit alongside a book recording the names of New Zealanders who have lost their lives to CF. We wish CFNZ all the very best with its quest for a new meaning for CF - Cure Found.
Dame Patsy welcomed the President of the Republic of Korea, HE Moon Jae-In and his wife HE Kim Jung-sook to New Zealand during a ceremony at Government House in Auckland.
Tropical rainstorms did not dampen the enthusiasm of the New Zealand Defence Force, who performed a stirring haka under cover of a marquee.
After the welcome, an official call between Dame Patsy and President Moon took place, followed by a State Luncheon.
In 1999 the Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust launched the Elliot Scholarships. Each year since then, the Trust has awarded three scholarships worth $25,000 to students who fit the criteria of being academically successful, with future leadership potential and who have faced challenges in their personal or family circumstances.
The three 2018 scholars Matthew Manukuo, Nicole White and Jennifer Thonrithi were presented with their awards at a special dinner, with guests including Elliot Scholarship alumni.
Today marks the 125th anniversary of the first general election in New Zealand where women were able to cast their vote. Dame Patsy hosted a morning tea to mark the occasion and thank the staff from the Ministry of Women for their work organising Suffrage 125 this year.
Over 355 events marking Suffrage 125 took place in New Zealand during the commemoration period.
The rain fell and the wind blew but the scheduled credentials ceremonies at Government House continued regardless, although in a somewhat truncated form.
Dame Patsy was delighted to receive the credentials of the envoys from Ukraine, Ghana, Mozambique, Mauritania, Malawi, Qatar and Slovenia. Welcome to New Zealand!
Today Dame Patsy officiated at the swearing-in of the Chief Justice and a Judge of the High Court of Niue.
Judge Miharo Armstrong and new Chief Justice, Judge Craig Coxhead each swore an Oath of Allegiance and a Judicial Oath in front of Dame Patsy. The High Commissioner of Niue, HE Fisa Pihigia assisted with the administering of the Oaths.
In attendance were Judge Patrick Savage, outgoing Chief Justice of Niue and Judge Wilson Isaac, Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court.
Dame Patsy and Sir David were delighted to host a reception to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the New Zealand Film Commission at Government House in Wellington this evening.
Dame Patsy and Sir David have close ties to the Commission having both served as Chair at various times.
The guest list featured a notable roster of New Zealand's producing and directing talent, with Cliff Curtis adding a little bit of thespian star power (He also produces, mind you)
Image gallery (Click on the individual photos for more info on some of the guests.)
Dame Patsy delivered the opening address at the NZ Women in leadershop Alumnae Symposium at Victoria University today. The NZWiL programme exists to support and encourage the development of women who are, or aspire to be, leaders within the university sector.
The two day symposium has the theme of Hautūtanga: Creating opportunities through leadership.
As well as speaking, Dame Patsy also took part in a leadership Q and A session.
Some very special guests at Government House tonight for the annual dinner for Members of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ). The order is the highest honour that can be awarded to a New Zealander and it is a privilege to host people whose outstanding contributions have been recognised in this way.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a lunch for departing Heads of Mission at Government House on Wednesday. Congratulations to NZ High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr Hunter Nottage; NZ High Commissioner to Singapore, Ms Joanne Tyndall; NZ High Commissioner to Rarotonga, Ms Tessa Temata and NZ Ambassador to Egypt, Mr Greg Lewis on their new postings.
Today Dame Patsy and Sir David received a farewell call from Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin and Sue Martin. After being mysteriously cropped out of yesterday's photo, Coco was back in the frame alongside ADCs LT Emily Keat and LT Caitlin Wiseman.
This evening Dame Patsy and Sir David held a reception for the 2018 Rhodes Scholarship finalists. The eight finalists, Joel Bateman, Mattea Mrkusic, Rosie Collins, James Ranstead, Johann Go, Michelle Huang, Lucy McLean and Isobel Campbell, will be interviewed by the selection committee tomorrow but this evening was a chance for them to meet the committee and their fellow finalists informally. Good luck everyone!
Yesterday, Dame Patsy officiated at the Armistice Day National Ceremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The peace bell tolled, the crowd joined in two minutes' silence, then stunning dance, music and song evoked the jubilation, relief and sorrow our forebears experienced in November 1918.
Later that day, Dame Patsy and Sir David returned to Pukeahu for a Sunset Ceremony. The ceremony included the final Last Post of the WW100 commemorations. The NZDF has been conducting a daily Last Post at Pukeahu every evening since Anzac Day 2015.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received an enthusiastic welcome from New Zealanders during their recent four day visit. We've put together a selection of images by photographer Mark Tantrum that tell the story of their time in New Zealand
On Monday, Dame Patsy and Sir David had a busy day in Oxford, where they met up with our Rhodes Scholars and caught up with their news about their studies and their plans for the future. A fascinating visit to the Bodleian Library including opportunities to see rare maps and letters associated with New Zealand, along with items associated with the suffragette movement. UK women did not win the right to vote until 1918, 25 years after New Zealand led the world in women's suffrage. Today, special commemorations are being held in the UK Parliament to mark that important milestone.
On Tuesday, Dame Patsy and Sir David laid a wreath at the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, accompanied by New Zealand's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, HE Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, our previous Governor-General.
The Memorial, named Southern Stand, was made by New Zealand sculptor Paul Dibble, whose First World War commemorative sculpture for Featherston will be unveiled this Saturday.
Dame Patsy and Sir David have been attending centennial commemorations of the liberation of Le Quesnoy by New Zealand troops in the closing days of the First World War. A special bond exists between the people of Le Quesnoy and New Zealand to this day, because the New Zealand troops chose not to use artillery, which would have resulted in destruction of the town and many civilian deaths. Instead the assault was via a ladder placed against the 17th century ramparts. Dame Patsy opened Le Jardin de la Paix, unveiled a friendship plaque and spoke at several commemorative events, including the New Zealand National Commemorative Service held 100 years to the day since the liberation of the town.
The successful applicants in the Waitangi Day Garden Reception ballot have been selected and emails have been sent out. Congratulations to everyone who will be joining us at Government House in Wellington next year.
If you have not received an email (and have checked that it hasn't mistakenly ended up in your spam folder), please note that we have had a few emails bounce back. We will be getting in touch with those applicants by other means.
