We gained a new appreciation of St John's work today during our visit tuo its Auckland Headquarters. The call-centre staff have to respond calmly and clearly to people who are distressed, injured or ill, and the dispatchers have to monitor operations around the country. We also saw how much ambulances have evolved, and how their sophisticated medical and communications equipment is making a significant difference to patient outcomes.
Governors-General have a long association with the Northern Club and today Dame Patsy and Sir David were invited to a lunch where Dame Patsy spoke about her goals during her term of office and answered questions about our constitutional arrangements. Their host was Victoria Carter, the first ever female President at the Club.
This is the 27th year of the Wallace Art Awards, and it's bigger than ever, attracting over 400 entries. The finalists' works are currently on display at Pah Homestead in Auckland, the home of the Wallace Arts Trust, and will then travel to selected galleries around New Zealand. Dame Patsy was on hand to congratulate the Award winners, some of whom will travel to Europe and the United States to take up residencies.
Winners of the 2018 White Camellia Awards this evening were Westpac, ANZ, Sovereign and Ebborn Law. We were inspired by the determination and enthusiasm of the representatives from these organisations, and hope other organisations will follow their example.
The White Camellia Awards are jointly run by UN Women, the Human Rights Commission, Diversity Works, BPW New Zealand and Zonta. Judges recognise businesses that are promoting gender equity by introducing measures that support the UN's Empowerment Principles; leadership promotes gender equality; equal opportunity, inclusion and non-discrimination; health, safety and freedom from violence; education and training; enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices; community leadership and engagement; and transparency, measuring and reporting.
Dr Jarrod Haar outlined some of the more significant conclusions from the UN Women's Empowerment Principles Survey 2018, which showed some gains, but areas where businesses are lagging behind.
Dame Patsy made two visits to Christchurch this week. On Thursday, she visited Burnside High School in Christchurch for a tour of their art department and a chance to met the young people involved with 'Into Motion', a student initiative bringing together high school students from around Canterbury to discuss gender equality. In the afternoon, she was the opening speaker at the Canterbury Women’s Legal Association’s Professional Women’s Conference.
On Saturday, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted receptions for the Christchurch recipients of the Queen's Guide Award and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Aotearoa New Zealand- Hillary Gold Award at the Airforce Museum of New Zealand.
Yesterday Dame Patsy and Sir David paid a visit to Kaibosh Food Rescue, which collects and distributes food to over 65 charities around Wellington. The organisation's mantra of 'Zero Waste, Zero Poverty' is eliminating needless waste, providing nutritious food to people in need, and keeping tonnes of food out of our landfills. Over 200 volunteers give their time to keep the operation going.
Dame Patsy hosted credentials ceremonies for the diplomatic envoys from Russia, the Netherlands, Ireland, Pakistan and Laos at Government House in Wellington.
Comgratulations to the 45 young women who received their Queen's Guide awards at Government House at the weekend. Well done and best of luck for the future.
Dame Patsy and Sir David welcomed the President of the Republic of Poland, HE Andrzej Duda and Agata Kornhauser-Duda at Government House in Auckland. Wet weather meant the planned ceremonial welcome had to be curtailed but the Presidential couple were still greeted with a hongi and the presentation of a dart before meeting with Dame Patsy.
After the welcome, Dame Patsy accompanied Their Excellencies to the Auckland Museum for a wreath laying and later hosted a dinner for the couple and members of the New Zealand Polish community at Government House.
Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Rocket Lab in Auckland and it was just as cool as you'd imagine. Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck gave Their Excellencies an overview of the company's mission to open access to space to improve life on earth, and took them on a guided tour of Mission Control as well as the factory where the rockets are built.
Last night, Scottish Country Dancing enthusiasts came from around New Zealand to attend a ball to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the New Zealand branch of the Scottish Country Dancing Society.
Dame Patsy and Sir David's first day in Whanganui began with a powhiri at Putiki marae which was followed by Dame Tariana Turia's investiture. The day finished with a visit to Glassworks and a chance to play with glassmaking techniques
The second day of the Whanganui visit started with a trip to the Gonville Community Library to meet the Gonville knitting group. Dame Patsy also read a story to a group of pre-schoolers.
Pacific Helmets is celebrating 40 years of manufacturing top quality helmets for the New Zealand and international markets. Dame Patsy and Sir David toured the factory and also received their very own American style "Fire Chief" helmets.
Next it was off to First Vets to meet the Kotuku Foundation and their wonderful assistance dogs. Dame Patsy got cuddle time with new puppy Lyra, who has just started her training.
The evening ended with a community reception where Dame Patsy and Sir David were able to mix and mingle with guests from Whanganui businesses and community organisations.
The theme of the day was aviation as Dame Patsy and Sir David officially opened the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy then headed to Ohakea for a welcome at RNZAF Turangawaewae and then a tour of No 14 and No 3 Squadrons
Our thanks to the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame for forwarding images from the Gala Dinner on 27 July, which acknowledged New Zealanders who have made outstanding contributions to New Zealand business: Tony Nightingale, Alan Gibbs, James Dilworth, Dame Trelise Cooper, Bill Buckley, Elspeth Kennedy, Graeme and Craig Turner, and Sir Russell Matthews.
The whakatauki "Manaakitia te tangata ahakoa ko wai, ahakoa no hea" (Take care of others, no matter who they are, no matter where they come from) sums up the kaupapa of Home and Family Counselling, who have looking after the needs of individuals, couples and families in Auckland for 125 years. It was an absolute pleasure to host staff and supporters at Government House Auckland, acknowledge the vital work that they do, and celebrate their big milestone.
Staff and dancers past and present were invited to Government House to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Displays of costumes and other memorabilia and a birthday cake addded to the party atmosphere.
Yesterday's engagements affirmed the theme of renewal and transformation so evident during this visit to Otautahi/Christchurch. The official opening of the new hall and classrooms at Linwood North School was cause for celebration for the pupils, staff, and parents, after years of challenges and delays.
Green Fuels NZ transforms used cooking oil into bio-diesel, which burns more efficiently than standard diesel, and therefore contributes to the lowering of carbon emissions. Used cooking oil would otherwise end up in land-fills. Green Fuels has recently become a subsidiary of Fulton Hogan, which will use the bio-diesel its trucks and heavy machinery.
The Governor-General's visit to Canterbury this week has a theme of transformation and renewal. Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) catchment was a perfect place to begin, to see what is being achieved by the partnership between Ngai Tahu, ECAN and scientists from Lincoln University working together to restore waterways and wetlands that sustain Te Waihora.
This evening was about transformation of a different sort - the drive to increase female leadership across all sectors of society. Dame Patsy joined two inspirational women leaders, Toni Brendish, CE of Westland Milk, and Sian Simpson, who until recently led Kiwi Landing Pad in San Francisco, in speaking to the 150 attendees at the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Women's Leadership Forum.
Yesterday 79 recruits of Wing 316 at the Police College graduated . As Patron of that Wing, Dame Patsy was delighted to congratulate the graduates and present them with their identity cards. We wish them all the very best as they begin their careers in police districts around New Zealand.
We were delighted to welcome students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students this morning for a tour of Government House. Their visit to Wellington follows several days in Christchurch where they were hosted by members of the Student Army. Today they were welcomed with an incredible performance of waiata and kapa haka by students from Te Wharekura o Ngā Mokopuna, Wellington East Girls College and St Catherines College.
It was a day of celebration for 31 young women as they received their Queen's Guide and Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards at Government House in Auckland on Saturday. Fiona Harnett, GirlGuiding NZ's National President did the honours handing out the awards, while Dame Patsy spoke of the hours of work each recipient had put into the programme and how proud they should feel of their acheivement. Afterwards, Dame Patsy had a chance to meet the recipients and their families during afternoon tea.
This afternoon we were delighted to host a group of young student leaders from around New Zealand who are meeting in Otaki to discuss Future Leadership, as a way to celebrate the 75th Otaki Scholar to come to New Zealand. The 75th Scholar is Cameron Stephen.
The Otaki Scholar comes from Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, and their stay is funded by the Otaki Scholarship, set up in memory of the Captain of a merchant ship Otaki, Captain Archibald Bissett-Smith, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. The Otaki was sunk during the First World War.
One of the most popular features at Government House is the collection of carved armorial bearings that hang in the hall. Every Governor-General from 1910 onwards, the date the House was built, is represented.
Sculptor Paul Deans has carved for armorial bearings for the last four Governors-General (Sir Michael Hardie-Boyes, Dame Silvia Cartwright, Sir Anand Satyanand and Sir Jerry Mateparae.)
This week, Paul and wife Kate visited Government House to see his most recent carving of Sir Jerry Mateparae's armorial bearing on display.
Interestingly Paul and his wife both have family links to Government House. Paul's grandfather MAJ George Hutton was an ADC to Lord Liverpool, while Kate's father LT COL John Masters served as an ADC in 1977.
This loaf is one of Dame Patsy's favourites. The image shows it served both baked and steamed with savoy cabbage, artichoke puree, roast pumpkin and artichoke chips but it goes well with anything.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp oil
3 shallots, finely chopped
1 garlic clove,
2 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp ground flax seed
4 Tbsp of your favourite Vegan Bbq sauce
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 cups grated parsnips
1 cup blanched chestnuts
1 x can drained cannellini beans or Chickpeas, red kidney, lentils etc.
1 cup, toasted and chopped hazelnuts or almonds
½ cup fresh bread crumbs, or Gluten free crumbs
3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Handful chopped sage
Salt, pepper, spice or chilli
Glaze
3 Tbsp BBq sauce
2 Tbsp tomato ketchup
3 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp smoked paprika
A dash of liquid smoke
Method
Preheat oven to 170.C
In a frypan, saute shallots and garlic in oil until translucent and beginning to brown. Set aside.
In a small bowl soak the chia and flaxseed with the bbq, Worcestershire and mustard until swollen and jelly like.
Combine cooled shallots, soaked seeds with the parsnip, chestnuts, beans and nuts and stir to combine, leaving as coarse as desired.
Season to taste with yeast, sage and seasonings.
Adjust consistency to a thick paste with breadcrumbs.
Pack into a greased and paper lined loaf tin and bake for 30 minutes until dark brown and firm to touch. Allow to cool 5 minutes and turn out onto paper lined oven tray.
Combine sauce, ketchup, maple, mustard and spices and spread liberally over baked loaf.
Return to oven for ten minutes or until sticky and caramelized.
(alternatively roll raw mixture into meatballs and bake for less time on paper lined tray. Repeat the technique for glazing.)
On Friday Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, acting in her role as Administrator of the Government in Dame Patsy's absence, attended a reception to mark the change of command of the Defence Force. She thanked the outgoing Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating and congratulated the new Chief of Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshall Kevin Short.
This is based on a traditional Persian stew called Fesejan, which is usually made with poultry braised in a walnut and pomegranate sauce. This vegetarian version of the sauce is served with roasted sumac and chilli spiced butternut squash, toasted bulgur with fresh pomegranate and grilled baby cos lettuce hearts.
Fesejan Sauce
This versatile sauce goes well with roasted meats or vegetables or as a side to stews or warm salads.
Ingredients
200g walnuts
50ml extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp turmeric
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp grated nutmeg
2 tbsp tomato puree
2 bay leaves
4 tbsp pomegranate molasses
2 tbsp honey
500ml vegetable stock (or water if none available)
2 tbsp lemon juice
Heat the oven to 170C. Toast the walnuts until golden, then set aside to cool. When cool, blitz in a food processor until they look like fine breadcrumbs.
Warm the oil in a heavy pan and fry the onion until soft, about four or five minutes. Add the spices, cook for a minute and add the puree, bay leaves, molasses, honey, stock and ground walnuts. Season with salt, bring to a simmer and turn the heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. At the end, add the lemon juice.
In the Matariki spirit of imparting knowledge and extending hospitality, last night we were joined by STEM students from around Wellington to hear from astronomer Hari Mogosanu. Her wideranging talk included everything from the relationship between earth and the night sky to the fact that all are, at molecular level, essentially stardust. Our thanks to Museums Wellington staff for helping us see the stars through four telescopes set up on the Terrace.
This morning,Dame Patsy hosted the 2018 Pukaki Scholars for morning tea at Government House. Pukaki was an 18th century Maori warrior, who was a Rangatira of the Ngati Whakaue iwi of Te Arawa in the Rotorua district. An image of the famous carving of Pukaki is on the New Zealand 20 cent coin. The Pukaki Scholarships were created to recognise the links between Ngati Whakaue and the Reserve Bank and every year, Year 10 student leaders affiliated with the iwi are selected to travel to Wellington to visit the Reserve Bank and other notable Wellington institutions
