Kiwi singer-songwriter Annie Crummer was one of 15 honours recipients who attended investitures in Auckland today. Other recipients included screenwriter and executive producer Rachel Lang, MNZM, who co-created shows like "Outrageous Fortune" and "Go Girls"; and Tony Hall, Chancellor of Lincoln University, who became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to educaton and sport.
This morning, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted an investiture ceremony at Government House Auckland and congratulated 12 honours recipients. These included Emeritus Professor Dame Peggy Koopman-Boyden, an authority on gerontology and eminent cardiologist Professor Hamid Ikram.
This afternoon Dame Patsy hosted an investiture ceremony for 12 New Zealand achievers. Amongst this afternoon's recipients - Sir Graeme Dingle, KNZM , for services to youth; Cameron Brown, ONZM, for services to triathlon and Sally Ikinofo, MNZM for services to education and Maori and Pacific communities.
This morning Dame Patsy congratulated 13 honours recipients at Government House in Auckland. Amongst those honoured were former Prime Minister the Rt Hon Sir John Key who became a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, dancer/choreographer Neil Ieremia, ONZM and photographer Dr Fiona Pardington, MNZM.
This afternoon's investiture recipients included Dame Julie Christie, DNZM, for services to governance and the television industry, Ms Mary Ama, CNZM, for services to the arts and the Pacific community, Mr Jim Gray, ONZM for services to Maori and governance, and Mr Michael Meredith, MNZM for services as a restauranter and to philanthropy.
A camera crew filmed Dame Patsy signing three bills into existence this afternoon. The footage will be used for a video explaining how Parliament works and the steps required to bring a piece of legislation into existence.
Amongst the bills was the Ngāti Pūkenga Claims Settlement Bill. This bill was of great personal interest to Dame Patsy as she had been involved in the settlement process as a Crown negotiator
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a ceremony for 56 Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Gold Awards this morning. https://gg.govt.nz/image-galleries/duke-edinburgh-hillary-gold-awards-presentation
The final awards ceremony today at Government House was for 40 Queen's Guides and 7 recipients of the St John Grand Prior Award, the highest award that young members of St John can aspire to.
Today Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted the board meeting for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Aotearoa New Zealand Hillary Award, with Dame Patsy later chairing the AGM. Tomorrow, Government House will host ceremonies to to present Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards, along with Queen's Scout, Queen's Guide and St John Grand Prior Awards.
Dame Patsy and Sir David visited the headquarters of the Royal New Zealand Ballet in Wellington for a behind the scenes look at the company as it prepares for its latest production 'Romeo and Juliet'.
As well as touring the wardrobe department, they also sat in on a dance class.
Dame Patsy and Sir David with the Royal New Zealand Ballet
The RNZB's next production, Romeo and Juliet, opens in Wellington, then tours New Zealand
Dame Patsy and RNZB Director, Marketing and Development Susannah Lees-Jefferies look at millinery
Image of Dame Patsy and Sir David with Romeo and Juliet Costume designer, James Acheson
Beading on the costumes is done by hand
Close up of the beading and dancer Madeleine Graham wearing the finished product while acting wardrobe supervisor Esther Lofley pins the hem
Dame Patsy and Sir David with Frances Turner, Chief Executive of the RNZB and Patricia Barker, Artistic Director
Fabric samples used for the RNZB production of Romeo and Juliet. Credit Stephen A'Court
More fabrics used in the production 'Romeo and Juliet'. Most of the fabrics used are imported from overseas. Credit Stephen A'Court.
RNZB dancers Madeleine Graham and Joseph Skelton rehearse. Credit Stephen A'Court.
Last night the Association of Former MPs gathered at Government House and Dame Patsy presented Sean Chan with the prize for best essay in the Association's essay-writing competition for secondary school students. The competition aims to foster awareness and participation in the political process.
Dame Patsy hosted an event for Women in Law at Government House in Wellington. Dame Patsy spoke to the guests about her career in law and the challenges and opportunities facing female lawyers today
It's a new take on 48 hour creativity and innovation - GovHack, where teams create apps using freely available Government data sets. Dame Patsy was on hand last night to see the final presentations on everything from checking out a prospective flat for broadband speed and sunlight, to improving your chances of getting funding from Council. #govhacknz
Last Thursday, Dame Patsy was present to induct six more laureates, past and present, to the NZ Business Hall of Fame, and to congratulate the winners of the Young Enterprise Trust's programme in schools, which focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills.
On 26 July, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a dinner to mark the 10th year anniversary of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand.
Dame Patsy presented five awards: to Hon Chris Finlayson, Mr Steven Sedley, Mrs Inge Woolf (Director of the Holocaust Centre) Mrs Carol Calkoen and Mr Rick Sahar.
On 24 July, Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the unveiling of the British Memorial at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park by the Rt Hon Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary.
On Wednesday 28 June, 2017, Dame Patsy hosted credentials ceremonies for the Ambassadors of the United States of America, the Republic of Panama and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
New year is traditionally a time of reflection; as the old year disappears from view, it's a time to think about what we remember. The successes we celebrated, transitions and change...
[fade in] "I, Patricia Lee Reddy, solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that as Governor-General..." [fade out]
...and the poignant farewells for those who left us.
In 2016, New Zealanders were reminded again of the impermanence of the ground beneath our feet. The Kaikoura earthquakes, and the devastation that followed, show how the world around us can change in mere seconds, and that we all need to be prepared.
Events like this remind us that what really matters are friends, family, and our connections with our communities.
Wherever you are, and whoever you're with, I hope you're looking forward to the new year, and the promise it brings.
I hope you can take time for yourselves, and take time to be with the people who're precious to you.
The Air Tattoo is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the RNZAF.
Personnel and contemporary military aircraft from Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, China, Singapore, Japan and France were on hand, plus some wonderful vintage aircraft. The F16s proved to be too fast to catch on film - but you can see them in action tomorrow at Ohakea for the 2nd day of the Tattoo
