The New Zealand Nurses Memorial Fund was established in 1917 as a tribute to New Zealand nurses who lost their lives on service during the First World War. While Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were in Dunedin, they took the opportunity to meet members of the Fund's committee, and learn more about its work to provide financial assistance to nurses and midwives who are suffering hardship. To be eligible, applicants must be a practising or retired New Zealand nurse or midwife who has completed at least two years of full-time service after registration.
Seven courageous Otago people were presented with Bravery Awards at this afternoon's investiture ceremony in Dunedin. In May 2021, they intervened to try and stop a knife attack in a Dunedin supermarket, and as a result, several of them suffered severe injuries. Their bravery was recognised with the award of the following Honours: The New Zealand Bravery Star (for an act of outstanding bravery in a situation of danger); the New Zealand Bravery Decoration (for an act of exceptional bravery in a situation of danger; and the New Zealand Bravery Medal (for an act of bravery).
Services to various sporting codes was a strong theme amongst the fourteen Honours recipients acknowledged at this morning's investiture ceremony in Dunedin. They included Olympic gold medalists Hamish Bond CNZM (cycling) and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe ONZM (rugby); Clive Power ONZM (swimming); Pauline Luyten MNZM (rugby); Roy Sloan MNZM (game-hunting); David Richmond KSM (athletics and cricket); and Geoff Lienant QSM (sports administration). Distinguished dentistry academic Emeritus Professor Murray Thomson received a CNZM for his services to oral health.
This evening, Government House Auckland hosted a reception to farewell the New Zealand Winter Paralympic Team ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Paralympians #158 and #188, Adam Hall and Corey Peters, will take off next month for a winter of training on the European slopes prior to the Paralympic Winter Games getting underway from 6-15 March 2026.
Wishing Adam, Corey and the team at Paralympics New Zealand all the very best for these coming months of preparation, and for the Games themselves come March next year. Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui. Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.
New Zealand's precious moths and butterflies are threatened by loss of habitat, the use of pesticides and the predation of introduced pests. The Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust was established 20 years ago and encourages New Zealanders to make their gardens more moth and butterfly friendly. The Trust visited Government House grounds earlier this year and certified the site as an excellent habitat that provides food for different stages in the insects' life cycles. Tonight Dr Davies hosted a reception for the Trust, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. He was presented with a plaque and a 1928 edition of G.V.Hudson's beautifully illustrated "The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand".
Established in the will of Thomas George Macarthy, a successful Wellington brewer, the TG Macarthy Trust supports charities and community organisations throughout the Wellington region, with a focus on children’s education, disadvantaged communities, and medical and emergency services.
This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy welcomed the TG Macarthy Trust Board for its annual meeting and grant strategy review.
This evening at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine – the National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa. For 20 years, Te Tātai Hauora o Hine has been striving to improve health outcomes for women and babies in New Zealand, with a particular focus on equity and the needs of Māori and Pacific communities.
Warmest congratulations to Professor Bev Lawton and your team, for all you have achieved, and all those lives and communities you have so positively impacted over these years.
This evening at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Established in 1965, the Trust supports New Zealanders to travel overseas with the aim of broadening their knowledge and expertise across a range of fields, for the benefit of their communities and New Zealand as a whole.
A Churchill Fellow himself, Dr Davies shared some of his experiences and insights, visiting clinics and outreach centres across the United Kingdom and Ireland, to understand how primary healthcare could be improved for people experiencing homelessness.
This evening saw the inaugural presentation of the New Zealand Animal Distinguished Service Award to Merenia Donne MNZM, founder of Kotuku Foundation Assistance Animals Aotearoa (KFAAA). The Award recognises the courage and devotion of Nikita, her German Shepherd dog. In the aftermath of a serious car accident, Nikita rescued Merenia, and subsequently acted as her assistance dog. Ms Donne founded KFAAA in Nikita's memory, and is the principal trainer of the Foundation's disability assist dogs.
This morning, Dame Cindy returned to her alma mater, Rutherford College, to be inducted into the school's newly-established Hall of Distinction. Her Excellency was joined by fellow inaugural inductees: entertainer Pio Terei, actor and director Oscar Kightley, netball coach Yvonne Willering, and neurologist Professor Alan Barber.
In her speech of encouragement to students, Dame Cindy quoted Queen Elizabeth II: 'Today we need a special kind of courage, not the kind needed in battle, but a kind which makes us stand up for everything that we know is right, everything that is true and honest.'
Dr Susan Parry and Mr Mark Vela each received their ONZM insignia this morning at Government House Auckland, in recognition of their services to gastroenterology, and to mental health care and education. Other recipients were honoured for their outstanding contributions to the Nepalese community, the fashion industry, the arts, women’s studies, health research, ethnic communities, social work, and Māori.
In the final investiture ceremony for this round, eight outstanding New Zealanders were honoured at Government House Auckland this afternoon. Among them were Mrs Laurinne Laing, MNZM, who has volunteered with the Special Olympics Howick-Pakuranga Club for 35 years, and Mr Johnny Kumitau, MNZM, who has dedicated his career to building and supporting Pacific communities. Husband and wife John and Lily Coleman each received their KSM insignia for services to the community and sport.
Warmest congratulations to all of this round’s recipients, each of whom in their own way embodying the whakataukī: 'Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua. Care for the land, care for the people, and go forward.'
In this morning's investiture ceremony at Government House Auckland, Sir Brendan Lindsay received his knighthood for his services to business and philanthropy. Following the sale of his successful food storage brand Sistema, Sir Brendan and his wife established the Lindsay Foundation to support New Zealand charities, focusing on family, education, disabilities, and animal welfare. Dr Mark Thomas was also acknowledged for his pioneering work to support people living with HIV/AIDS, as was Mr Tim Southee, the Black Caps' all-time leading international wicket-taker.
Seven outstanding New Zealanders received their Royal Honours insignia today at Government House Auckland for their services to the veterinary profession, the prevention of family violence and the community, business, the ski industry, the Niue community and the arts, people with disabilities and the transgender community, and the Cambodian community. Warmest congratulations to all recipients.
Sir Ted Manson received his knighthood at this morning's investiture ceremony at Government House Auckland for his services to philanthropy, the community, and business over an extraordinary career. Other recipients were acknowledged for their services to structural engineering, Māori, BMX and sports governance, social services and the community, tourism, breast cancer treatment and research, and Māori language education.
This morning recipients at the investiture ceremony included beloved television presenter, educator, author and musician Suzy Cato ONZM, former All Blacks coach Ian Foster CNZM, and former Government Minister, the Honourable Dover Samuels KSO.
Wayne Boyd, CNZM was acknowledged at this afternoon's investiture ceremony for his extensive contributions to business, philanthropy and sport. Former Member of Parliament Anae Lupematasila Arthur Anae, MNZM, was recognised for services to the Samoan community. Waka exponent Joe Conrad ONZM was honoured for his services to Māori, and Bill Kermode MNZM was recognised for services to governance and philanthropy, including his role as CEO of the NEXT Foundation, where he led environmental and educational projects and targeted educational inequality in schools.
This morning's honours recipients included Dame Ranjna Patel DNZM, who was acknowledged for her work in promoting health and community wellbeing. Dame Ranjna founded Gandhi Nivas, an intervention service focussed on reducing family harm. Hon Steven Joyce CNZM, a former senior Government Minister, was recognised for his service as a Member of Parliament, and Catherine Bell MNZM was acknowledged for her contribution to the Garden to Table Trust, which educates school children on growing, harvesting, and cooking vegetables.
At this afternoon's investiture ceremony, New Zealand Bravery Medals were received by Meli Balenivalu, who went to the aid of his colleagues and customers during a stabbing incident, and also by Constable Cameron Whittaker, who put his own life at risk to save several people's lives during the 2023 Auckland floods. Gary Graham received the honours insignia for his late father, the pioneering contemporary Maori artist Fred Graham CNZM, whose work featured at the most recent Venice Biennale. Imogen Lilley received the insignia for her late grandfather, Jim Lilley, MNZM, a conservationist who during his life took part in responses to the stranding of over 10,000 whales.
This afternoon, the first of this week’s investiture ceremonies was held at Government House Auckland. Seven honours recipients were acknowledged for their impressive achievements and outstanding contributions to the wellbeing of our communities. Recipients included gynaecologist Dr Ai Ling Tan CNZM, comedian Dai Henwood ONZM, Opotoki iwi leader Robert Edwards MNZM and educationalist Dr Nina Hood MNZM.
At Saturaday morning’s ceremony, former President of the Court of Appeal, The Honourable Sir Mark Cooper KNZM was knighted for his services to the judiciary. The Honourable Ruth Richardson CNZM, Minister of Finance in the fourth National Government, was recognised for her services as a Member of Parliament and to Governance. Dr Christopher Longhurst and Mr Tyrone Marks both received KSO insignia for their services to survivors of abuse in care, and former All Black Murray Mexted ONZM was acknowledged for his services to rugby.
Other recipients were recognised for their contributions across broadcasting, choral music, ethnic communities, Pacific and LGBTQ+ communities, and the arts.
In the final investiture ceremony for this Wellington round, Ms Cath Andersen CNZM was recognised for services to the music industry, having served as Chief Executive of the New Zealand Music Commission since 2000, where she has worked to safeguard the livelihoods of music professionals through a period of radical transformation across the industry. Twelve other outstanding New Zealanders were honoured for their contributions across health, tourism, drug abuse prevention, Pasifika communities, outdoor recreation, seniors, Māori culture, and education.
Very warmest congratulations to all recipients over this past week of ceremonies, each embodying in their own way the whakataukī: ‘Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei. Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.’
At this morning's investiture ceremony, Dame Catriona Williams was recognised for her advocacy for people with spinal cord injury and her services to equestrian sport. Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour (Rtd), ONZM was acknowledged for his leadership roles in military responses to the Christchurch Mosque shooting, the Whakaari eruption, COVID-19, the fall of Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, Cyclone Gabrielle, counter-piracy operations, and the Kaikoura earthquake relief efforts. The New Zealand Bravery Decoration was awarded to Mr Andy Watson, for his efforts to rescue a woman trapped in a burning car. The New Zealand Bravery Medal was awarded to Sergeant Sophie Allison, who restrained a man who was in the act of stabbing people in a Dunedin supermarket. Recipients were also recognised for their services to music, dentistry, primary industries, aviation engineering, war commemoration and historical preservation, education, the Pacific community, and historical research.
This afternoon Dr David McKee CNZM was recognised for his services to New Zealand Sign Language and the Deaf community, which includes his work to establish the first NZSL interpreter training course at AUT, and his role as the first Deaf Lecturer and Researcher at a New Zealand university. Honours recipients included pioneer forensic psychiatrist Associate Professor Phil Brinded ONZM; food writer David Burton ONZM; former National President of Rural Women New Zealand, Mrs Gill Naylor ONZM; philanthropist and founder of the Tumu Group, John O'Sullivan ONZM; and former Resident Superintendent of Mt John Observatory, Alan Gilmore MNZM and his wife Ms Pamela Kilmarton MNZM, who together have discovered 41 asteroids and a comet. Other recipients were acknowledged for their services to cycling, the environment, the community, agriculture, and Pacific peoples.
Emeritus Distinguished Professor Dame Alison Stewart received her Damehood this morning at Government House Wellington in recognition of her outstanding 40-year career as a plant scientist, focusing in particular on sustainable plant protection, soil biology, and plant biotechnology. Master fly-tier Peter Carty was also recognised for his services to the sport of fly-fishing, as well as Dr Celia Devenish, for her long and distinguished career in women's health, as a physician, lecturer, and researcher. Very warmest congratulations to all of this morning's recipients.
The bravery of five recipients of Royal Humane Society medals was acknowledged by the Governor-General at a presentation at Government House Wellington this afternoon.
Two previous recipients of Royal Humane Society Silver Medals, Tim and Matt Dodge, received the Stanhope Medal, which is awarded to nominees from Royal Humane Societies around the world, and is not necessarily awarded every year. Tim and Matt Dodge received their medals for their bravery in rescuing 17 people stranded by flooding in the Hawkes Bay in 2023.
The bravery of Senior Constable Andrew Chantrey, Constable Ryan Gordon, and William Bowden was acknowledged with the presentation of Silver Medals. Senior Constable Chantrey and Constable Gordon received their medals for rescuing a young woman from drowning in Napier in June 2023, and William Bowden for his efforts in the rescue of two students in the Poor Knights Islands in December 2020.
Congratulations to the thirteen outstanding New Zealanders who received their Honours insignia at this morning's investiture ceremony at Government House. They included founder of Air Rarotonga Sir Ewan Smith, KNZM, who was knighted for his services to Cook Islands business and tourism, former MP Ian McKelvie, MNZM, and Olympic gold-medalist cyclist Ellesse Andrews. Other recipients were honoured for their services to emergency services, search and rescue, the agricultural industry and governance, fire-safety technologies, mental health, the community, and textiles history and conservation.
Dr Lesley Rameka and Mr Chris Lewis were among the recipients acknowledged at this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House Wellington – Dr Rameka for her pioneering academic work on Māori early learning in New Zealand, and Mr Lewis for his remarkable tennis career, including reaching the Wimbledon final in 1983 as an unseeded player. Other recipients were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions across literature, theatre and television, health, and Pacific communities.
Investiture ceremonies began this morning at Government House Wellington, with Dame Julie Chapman receiving her DNZM insignia for services to children and the community. Dame Julie founded the KidsCan Charitable Trust, which for 20 years has worked to support the education and wellbeing of New Zealand children in poverty, as well as Pet Refuge New Zealand, which provides temporary shelter for family pets affected by domestic violence. Other recipients were acknowledged for their contributions across documentary filmmaking, Māori and Pacific communities, agriculture, and local government.
This afternoon, eleven Honours recipients received their insignia from Dame Cindy at Government House. Prominent food scientist Dr Harjinder Singh, CNZM was recognised for his ground-breaking research, which has been translated into commercial applications. Other recipients received insignia recognising their outstanding contributions to education, mental health, swimming, communities, sport, Māori art and music, Victim Support, youth and the Baptist movement.
Aktive is a charity fostering participation in sport and physical exercise for young people in Auckland. A highlight of today's Aktive reception at Government House Auckland was the opportunity to hear two rangatahi and their whanau speak about their experience of an Aktive initiative, Game Plan AKL, which selects 100 young people annually to receive $500 per annum to support their chosen physical activity. Many guests were teary eyed hearing how Aktive support had changed these two recipients' lives for the better in every way - mentally, socially, physically, and in the classroom. A panel of donors reinforced those messages when they spoke about how sport had been a game-changer in their own lives, and their determination to support young people to have those same experiences.
Last night Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a special Pacific-themed reception to launch Volunteer Service Abroad’s new five-year strategy. Guests included Members of the Diplomatic Corps, development agencies, and VSA staff and volunteers. Dame Cindy thanked VSA volunteers for sharing expertise that empowers communities and enables them to thrive. A joyful performance by Wellington College’s Pasifika group literally shook the room, and illustrated Dame Cindy’s observation that New Zealanders are “linked across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa through shared history, shared whakapapa, our resident Pacific Island communities, and our sense of shared destiny.”
