The Zonta Club of Wellington's Science Award recognises excellence in science and supports further study by an outstanding woman in her early stages of her career. In New Zealand, female representation in STEM subjects falls to around 29 percent at PhD level, and Zonta aims to boost those statistics. Dame Patsy was delighted to present the Zonta Science Award for 2018 to botanist Dr Jessie Prebble, who will use the award to travel overseas for further professional development.
Dame Patsy presented 10 Royal Humane Society of New Zealand silver medals for acts of bravery.
Medal recipients included Zane Paki, who saved a man from a knife attack and Rory Clarke, who was one of a trip of doctors involved in rescuing the driver of a vehicle that drove off the road into an estuary.
It was a night of stories, laughter and memories tonight at Government House as past and present members of the Police National Dive Squad got together to celebrate 50 years of exceptional service to the people of New Zealand.
The members of the squad volunteer to go wherever they are needed, 24/7, around New Zealand, often putting their own lives in danger. We are grateful for the work they do to bring some sense of closure to families by returning the remains of the missing to their loved ones, and we are fortunate to have their skills in uncovering vital pieces of evidence that help solve mysteries and criminal cases.
On Tuesday 29 May, Dame Patsy appeared on RNZ's Bookmarks with Jesse Mulligan. During the interview, Dame Patsy talked about her favourite books, movies and music and revealed the truth about her relationship with Helen Reddy, the Australian singer. (Clue: possibly distant cousins)
On Thursday, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception for secondary school students taking part in the Shakespeare Globe Centre of New Zealand University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. Events got off to a dramatic start with a fire alarm seeing all 300 guests bundled out into the cold.
The Queen's Birthday 2018 Honours list has been released. Congratulations to all the New Zealanders who have been acknowledged for their contribution. Dame Patsy and Sir David are looking forward to welcoming all recipients to Government House to receive their insignia later this year.
On Friday night Dame Patsy and Sir David joined in the annual celebration of excellence in Maori farming and agribusiness - the Ahuwhenua Awards dinner, this year held in Christchurch. The winning farm operation must not only be an example of efficient farming practices, but also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and benefit to the associated iwi.
This year's winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy was the Onuku Maori Lands Trust and the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer was Harepaora Ngaheu.
The Ahuwhenua Awards were set up by Sir Apirana Ngata and the then Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in 1933.
Last Friday, Dame Patsy and Sir David helped mark a major milestone for Christchurch Girls High School with the official opening of the first major rebuild project since the school was extensively damaged by the Canterbury earthquakes.
They were given a tour of the magnificent new building, which houses the arts faculty, and saw memorabilia from a school which is notable for being the second oldest girls' secondary school in New Zealand.
This morning Dame Patsy and Sir David visited the Police College to touch base with Wing 316 recruits, who are currently in their 7th week of training to become Police officers. Dame Patsy is Patron of Wing 316.
The recruits range in age from 19 to 50. Dame Patsy noted that although the demographic data for the recruits was representative of contemporary New Zealand in terms of ethnicity, that only 30 percent of them were female, and she looked forward to seeing the numbers of women increasing in future intakes.
Dame Patsy and Sir David were welcomed with a powhiri before having lunch with the recruits.
Many thanks to the Centre for Brain Research for the opportunity for Dame Patsy to speak at the dinner held at St Mathew-in-the-City in Auckland on 11 May, and for providing us with photos taken on the night. The Centre involves academics, clinicians, patients and families in furthering our knowledge of brain diseases and their treatment.
Educator, treaty settlement adviser and Maori heritage protector Sir John Clarke was knighted at Government House this morning by Dame Patsy. The sixth and final investiture ceremony for this round included representatives from the worlds of the arts, sport and music as wel as a significant number from Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Suffrage 125 was commemorated at Government House this afternoon with a special investiture ceremony, celebrating the achievements of New Zealand women.
Politician Dame Annette King received the insignia of her order alongside artists Julia Morison and Lisa Reihana and thirteen other notable women. Congratulations to all this afternoon's recipients.
Congratulations to all 22 honour recipients at this morning's ceremony at Government House. They included The Hon Sir Douglas White, KNZM for services to the judiciary; former Reserve Bank Governor Graham Wheeler, CNZM; and broadcasters Philip Sherry, MNZM and Lloyd Scott, MNZM.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception for the Fred Hollows Foundation at Government House in Wellington. Guests heard about the highlights of the 25 years of the Foundation's work and heard from a panel of three experts about new initiatives around preventing blindness in the Pacific. An announcement of significant support from MFAT for a National Eye Clinic in Vanuatu was also made.
This morning's investiture recipients included Mr Randal Heke, whose role in the establishment of Scott Base in Antarctica in the 1950s was recognised with the award of the New Zealand Antarctic Medal. The Hon Peter Dunne received a CNZM for his services as a Member of Parliament, Ms Nita Knight, who established the Nelson Saturday market, recieved an MZNM and Mr Hare Paniora also received an MNZM for services to Maori and education.
Congratulations to the 20 recipients of Honours at Government House this afternoon, including leading educator in technology education, Frances Valintine, CNZM; former Member of Parliament, The Hon Chester Burrows, QSO; and entomologist Dr Ruud Kleinpaste.
Ms Frances Valintine, of Auckland, CNZM, for services to education and the technology sector
The Honourable Kerry (Chester) Borrows, of Hawera, QSO, for services as a Member of Parliament
Archdeacon William (Wiremu) Kaua, of Wellington, ONZM, for services to Māori, education and the State
Dr James (Malcolm) Macpherson, of Alexandra, ONZM, for services to local government and the community
Professor Barbara Brookes, of Dunedin, MNZM, for services to historical research and women
Dr John Guthrie, of Dunedin, MNZM, for services to education and sport
Mr Denis Hartley, of Ohope Beach, MNZM, for services to aviation and rescue services
Dr Palatasa Havea, of Palmerston North, MNZM, for services to the Pacific community and the dairy industry
Mr Noel Hyde, of Rotorua, MNZM, for services to wildlife conservation and research taxidermy
Mr Paul McArdle, of Havelock North, MNZM, for services to cycling and the community
Ms Sarah Reo, of Havelock North, MNZM, for services to Māori and education
Ms Susan (Sue) Stanaway, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to philanthropy and the community
Dr Rudolf (Ruud) Kleinpaste, of Christchurch, MNZM (Honorary),for services to entomology, conservation and entertainment
Ms Linda Chalmers, of Auckland, QSM, for services to art
Mr Ian Dick, of Napier, QSM, for services to the community and local government
Mrs Elizabeth (Liza) Eastman, QSM, of Parapara, for services to the arts and the community
Mr Neil Falconer, of Rangiora, QSM, for services to the community and broadcasting
Mr Parshotam Govind, of Auckland, QSM, for services to the Indian community
Mrs Julie Syme, of Kaikoura, QSM, for services to the community
Mrs Lyndsay Wright, of Greytown, QSM, for services to swimming
Congratulations to the latest member of the Order of New Zealand Joy Cowley and the other 19 New Zealanders who received their insignia at investitures at Government House this morning.
This morning's investiture ceremony from Government House in Wellington.
Receiving their insignia were:
Ms Cassia Coles (Joy Cowley), of Featherston, ONZ, for services to New Zealand
Dr Garth Carnaby, of Lincoln, CNZM, for services to science and governance
Dr William Rolleston, of Saint Andrews, CNZM, for services to the farming industry
The late Mr Michael Brown, of Lower Hutt, QSO, for services to governance
Dr Andrew Hill, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to endoluminal vascular repair
Dr Andrew Holden, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to endoluminal vascular repair
Ms Penelope (Penny) Mudford, of Wellington, ONZM, for services to arbitration and the primary industries sector
Ms Elise Bradley, of Toronto, MNZM, for services to music
Mr Dugald (Stuart) Collie, of Invercargill, MNZM, for services to agriculture and education
Ms Melanie (Merenia) Donne, of Whanganui, MNZM, for services to training disability assistance dogs
Emeritus Professor John Hearnshaw, of Christchurch, MNZM, for services to astronomy
Mr Cameron (Cam) Moore, of Christchurch, MNZM, for services to the manufacturing industry and the community
Mr Paul Pritchett, of Lyttelton, NZM, for services to yachting and the community
Dr David Tipene-Leach, of Napier, MNZM, for services to Māori and health
Mrs Foumana Alene-Tumataiki, of Auckland, QSM,for services to the Niue community and education
Mrs Carrol Browne, of Fox Glacier, QSM, for services to the community
The late Mr Leslie Graham, of Masterton, QSM, for services to brass bands
Mr Graham Keep, of Oamaru, QSM, for services to Scouting and the community
Mr Daniel (Dan) Lyders, of Outram, QSM, for services to conservation and forestry
Mrs Prabha Ravi, of Lower Hutt, QSM, for services to ethnic communities and dance
It was ballet's turn in the spotlight this evening at Government House, with Dame Patsy and Sir David hosting the Ballet Foundation's "A Celebration of Ballet" in the Ballroom.
The Ballet Foundation is a charity that works to support, promote and advance ballet in New Zealand. They work closely with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, offering scholarships to talented dancers, helping dancers move from performance into other dance -related careers and providing opportunities for students from low-decile schools to experience ballet performances.
The evening featured performances from Teagan Tank from the New Zealand School of Dance and Katherine Minor and Paul Mathews from the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Dame Patsy and Sir David wish to pass on their condolences to the family of Lady Beattie who died in Wellington on Wednesday.
The wife of Sir David Beattie,Governor-General from 1980 - 1985, Lady Beattie not only undertook all the duties of a vice-regal spouse but made some welcome improvements at Government House, particularly in the kitchens.
She was also responsible for one of this country's most famous pictures, having gifted Prince William the Buzzy Bee toy he so memorably played with on the lawn at Government House in Auckland during the 1984 Royal Visit in 1984.
Dame Patsy says "Lady Beattie was a wonderful ambassador for New Zealand, working alongside Sir David during their time at Government House. She was also a strong supporter of New Zealand arts and culture all her life. It was always a pleasure to see her at Government House events and I valued the generous support she provided at my Swearing-In. She will be greatly missed"
The Arts Foundation Icon Awards recognise distinguished artists for their contributions to New Zealand's arts and culture. At any one time, there are only 20 Arts Icons, and the medallion each recipient wears is imbued with the mana and mauri of the previous recipients.
Dame Patsy honoured five new Arts Icons at a Government House dinner: writers Bill Manhire and Albert Wendt, composer Gillian Whitehead, artist Billy Apple, and sculptor Fred Graham.
The full video of this mornin's investiture ceremony
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This morning's recipients were:
The Honourable Dr Michael Bassett, CNZM, of Auckland, for services as a historian
Mr Colin Bidois, of Tauranga, ONZM, for services to Māori
Ms Helene Wong, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to the arts and the Chinese community
Dr Judy Blakey, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to seniors
Mr John Mace, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to swimming
Dr Haare Williams, of Papakura, MNZM, for services to Māori, the arts and education
Ms Raewyn Bhana, of Drury, QSM, for services to the community
Mrs Diane Brown, of Ngaruawahia, QSM, for services to the community and sport
Mrs Lynnette Flowers, of Hamilton, QSM, for services to the community
Mr Alan Turner, of Tauranga, QSM, for services to the game of bridge
Dame Patsy and Sir David travelled to Turkey to represent New Zealand at commemorative events associated with the Gallipoli campaign. Our thanks to New Zealand Defence for providing us with images of some of the events that they attended.
In addition to speaking at the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove and at Chunuk Bair, Dame Patsy and Sir David were given a battlefield tour, visited cemeteries and memorials, and represented New Zealand at the Turkish International Service, the French National Service, the Commonwealth and Irish Service, the Turkish National Service, and the Australian National Service.
On leaving Gallipoli, the next stop was Ankara, where Dame Patsy met HE Mr Recep Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey and the Mr Ismail Kahraman, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Congratulations to all our honours recipients this afternoon. They included Mr William Birnie, CNZM for services to governance, the arts and sport; actor Mark Hadlow, ONZM; and Emeritus Professor Roger Moltzen, MNZM for services to education.
The full video of this afternoon;'s investiture ceremony
Receiving their insignia at Government House in Auckland were:
Mr William Birnie, of Auckland, CNZM, for services to governance, the arts and sport
Mr Mark Hadlow, of Martinborough, ONZM, for services to the arts
Ms Helen Robinson, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to business, particularly the technology sector
Mr Peter Turnbull, of Whangarei, ONZM, for services to aviation
Ms Sharon Wilson-Davis, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to the community
Emeritus Professor Roger Moltzen, of Hamilton, MNZM, for services to education
Dr Camille Nakhid, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to ethnic communities and education
Mr Charles Kiata, of Waitakere, MNZM (Hon), for services to the Pacific community
Mr Bruce Gordon, of Ngatea, QSM, for services to local government and the community
Mrs Lesley Gordon, of Ngatea, QSM, for services to the community
The recipients at this morning's investiture ceremony at Government House Auckland included Dame Georgina te Heuheu, DNZM; Ms Jane Drumm, QSO, advocate for victims of domestic violence; and Maori sculptor Mr Fred Graham, ONZM.
The full ceremony filmed at Government House this morning.
Receiving their insignia at Government House in Auckland this morning were:
The Honourable Dame Georgina te Heuheu, DNZM, for services to the State and Māori
Ms Jane Drumm, of Auckland, QSO, for services to victims of domestic violence
Mr Neil Bateup, of Huntly, ONZM, for services to agriculture and the community
Mr Frederick Graham, of Waiuku, ONZM, for services to Māori art
Dr John Kay, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Mr Maurice McKendry, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to harness racing
Mr Ray Annamalai, of Auckland, QSM, for services to the community and Tamil culture
Dr Morag Hardy, of Auckland, QSM, for services to paediatrics and the community
Mrs Patricia Stafford-Bush, QSM, of Auckland, for services to the community
