17 New Zealanders received the insignia this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington. Amongst the recipients - Sir Kim Workman for services to prisoner welfare and the justice sector; Terry McTavish of Dunedin for services to theatre and education and the late Georgina Salter for her contribution to netball.
The 12 recipients at this morning's investiture ceremony included retired Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Timothy Keating, CNZM, and Fire Service, Police, Defence and Coastguard personnel. Vivien Leachman received the insignia for the late Mr Andrew Leachman, whose maritime skills and navigation were invaluable to scientific research, and access to Antarctic waters.
Our first investiture ceremony for 17 recipients of New Year Honours was held at Government House this morning. They included New Zealand's longest serving mayor, Sir Tim Shadbolt, KNZM; Professor Peter Crampton, CNZM of Dunedin, acknowledged for his contribution to health care; and Maryanne Tipler, ONZM, who is New Zealand's leading author of mathematical textbooks.
Dame Patsy began Anzac Day by giving the Anzac Address at the Dawn Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial. She also laid a wreath alongside HE the Hon Patricia Forsythe, High Commissioner of Australia and He Ahmet Ergin, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey.
Dame Patsy and Sir David then attended the National Commemoration at Pukeahu later in the morning, where Dame Patsy and Hon Grant Robertson spoke. The Service included readings by youth representatives from New Zealand, Australia and Turkey. The Air Force Band and the Supertonic Choir provided a moving backdrop during the wreath-laying ceremony.
Today we had perfect autumn weather for the powhiri and military parade associated with our credentials ceremonies. This morning Dame Patsy received the credentials of new Heads of Diplomatic Mission to New Zealand: HE Mr Javier Augusto Prado Miranda, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru; HE Mr Zakaria Ahmad, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam; HE Mr Antonio Pedro da Vinha Rodrigues da Silva, Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic; and HE Major General (Rtd) Lineo Bernard Poopa, High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
This afternoon it was the turn of the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, HE Ms Betty Pavelich Sirois and Ambassador of the Czech Republic, HE Mr Tomáš Dub.
On Thursday Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Te Papa for the Terrcotta warriors exhibition. They were also lucky enough to visit Te Papa's stacks and see some of the treasures stored there.
Later that day, Dame Patsy gave the Royal Assent to the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act in the Council Room at Government House.
This afternoon, Dame Patsy hosted a reception for the Child Cancer Foundation, to honour Pat Wilkes with a Life Membership of the Foundation, in recognition of twenty years of selfless service to young cancer patients and their families.
Dame Patsy and Sir David spent a couple of days in the Southern Lakes last week. The focus of their visit was innovation in the arts, tourism and sustainability.
Day One saw the Dame Patsy attending the Festival of Colour. Based in Wanaka,with satellite performances all around the Central Otago area, the Festival takes place every two years, offering a varied programme of arts events.
While in Wanaka, Dame Patsy introduced a performance by Jordy Savall and then dropped in on a rehearsal of “Permission to Speak”, a theatrical work featuring Mount Aspiring College students.
On Monday 1 April, Their Excellencies began the day at The Hills Golf Club with a tour of the sculpture collection. From there they travelled to Shotover Jet for a briefing on tourism and sustainability.
The final day of the visit saw the couple tour Arrowtown’s historic Chinese settlement before receiving a briefing on the wilding pine situation from DOC. The wilding pine theme continued at New Zealand Essential Oils/aoTERRA, where wilding pines are being used to manufacture essential oils. The last event was a trip to Camp Glenorchy to find out more about the eco- retreat’s sustainability focus.
Before the National Remembrance Ceremony yesterday, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a breakfast for the Australian official delegation, the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove; Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Mrs Jennifer Morrison; and Hon Bill Shorten and Mrs Chloe Shorten. Hon Dr Megan Woods also attended the breakfast.
After the service, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel hosted a reception where Dame Patsy met members of the Muslim community, members of the Diplomatic Corps, international visitors and first responders on 15 March.
Dame Patsy and Sir David then hosted a lunch for Pacific leaders: President Jioji Konrote and Madam Sarote Faga Konrote of Fiji ; Prime Minister Henry Puna and Mrs Akaiti Puna of the Cook Islands; His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi ll and Her Highness Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimaleali’ifano of Samoa; Mr Gaston Tong Sang, President of the Assembly of French Polynesia; and Hon Kelihiano Kalolo and Mrs Atene Kalolo of Tokelau.
Two weeks after a terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, where 50 worshippers lost their lives and many more were injured, today's National Remembrance Service brought together the wounded and survivors of the attack, along with citizens of Christchurch, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and dignitaries from the Pacific and beyond. The names of the dead were read by members of the Muslim community and the healing power of music and words affirmed the overwhelming message of love, peace and harmony.
Dame Patsy has received numerous letters and messages from Heads of State, foreign dignitaries and organisations in the days following the Christchurch shootings. Here is a selection for you to read.
Dame Patsy and Sir David received a farewell call from the Ambassador of Iran, HE Mr Jalaladdin Namini Mianji and Mrs Fatemeh Namini Mianji at Government House in Wellington.
Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a dinner on the Norrie Dining Room for His Majesty King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u.
Both Dame Patsy and the King spoke of New Zealand's close relationship with Tonga and the contribution Tongans have made to New Zealand life.
This morning, Dame Patsy and Sir David welcomed HM King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga and HM Queen Nanasipau'u. Their Majesties are making an official visit to New Zealand.
The Royal couple were not deterred by the blustery Wellington weather, which saw the Guard of Honour and RNZAF band moved indoors.
Dame Patsy thanked the King for the response of the Tongan people, who expressed their condolences and held prayer vigils in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
The KIng and Queen will also attend an official dinner at Government House this evening.
This afternoon, one week after the killing of 50 worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealanders gathered in our towns and cities to observe two minutes' silence.
For that moment, Dame Patsy and Sir David chose to be with 1500 school students on the Kapiti Coast. First they heard the soaring notes of the Muslim call to prayer. After the two minutes' silence, there was a mass haka by the students.
Dame Patsy addressed the students, noting that coming together in this way helped to affirm the values that we hold dear: tolerance, inclusion and kindness.
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan called on Dame Patsy to offer the condolences of the people of Jordan to New Zealanders in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
The Prince, who was accompanied by his daughter HRH Princess Rahma bint El Hassan and grandson HE Tariq Masser Judeh, opened his remarks with a message in Maori, to the obvious delight of Dame Patsy.
Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence is Vice President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is responsible for caring for the war graves of Commonwealth service personnel from the First and Second World Wars.
During a visit to New Zealand, Sir Tim attended a dinner in his honour at Government House.
The second day of Dame Patsy's visit to Christchurch began with a meeting with the Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre. A more somber experience than Dame Patsy's last visit to the Centre, the meeting was a chance for members to talk about their sadness following the attacks and how it has affected them and their community. Image Gallery
Dame Patsy then went to Hagley Park to lay flowers at the memorial that has sprung up there. While there she also spoke with overseas media and took the opportunity to chat with police and St John New Zealand staffers who were in the area.
The Emerge Aotearoa choir was there, singing in tribute to the shooting victims and Dame Patsy stopped to listen, even joining in on Tutira Mai Nga Iwi. Image Gallery
Dame Patsy and Sir David travelled to Christchurch to pay their respects following the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Dame Patsy's first meeting was with the Vice President of the Republic of Turkey, HE Fuat Oktay and Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who expressed their sympathy for the people of Christchurch and the local Muslim community. Image Gallery
Later Dame Patsy met with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and rounded off the evening by catching up a group of St John New Zealand paramedics, who were on duty during the Christchurch attack. The team talked to Dame Patsy about their experiences on the ground in a dangerous situation and how they respond to large scale emergencies Image Gallery
Thousands of Wellingtonians attended the Vigil For Christchurch at the Basin Reserve this evening.
There were tears as people spoke of their feelings of loss and devastation and cheers as others spoke of what they would like to see happen to prevent extremist attacks happening again.
The event finished with a moving rendition of Te Aroha and one minutes silence, after which a fierce, impromptu haka broke out in the crowd.
This afternoon Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Kilbirnie Mosque. Dame Patsy added flowers to the many hundreds of floral tributes already in place and met with Tahir Nawaz, President of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand and other members of Wellington's Muslim community.
As well as expressing her condolences to the Muslim community, Dame Patsy and Mr Nawaz talked about subjects ranging from tolerance, the role of social media and how we move forward together following the Christchurch attacks.
Message from the Governor of New South Wales and Governor-General Designate of Australia, General The Hon David Hurley.
" Your Excellency,
On behalf of the people of New South Wales, I write to express my sincere condolences over the tragic events that have taken place in Christchurch today.
The crime is heinous - an act of violence in a place of faith carries with it a particular element of horror. For this outragous act to have taken place in a city that has faced wide scale loss and grief over recent years, is even more heartbreaking.
We stand alongside you and the victims and indeed the nation of New Zealand as you oppose such violence and hatred.
Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General shared the following message on the secretariat's website following the Christchurch mosque shootings:
On behalf of the Commonwealth family I convey my deepest sympathy to the people of New Zealand and to all those directly affected by the appalling acts of hate-fuelled violence that have been inflicted on the community in Christchurch.
“It is particularly shocking that such an attack should take place in houses of prayer, and our thoughts are with the families and others close to those who have been killed, or are casualties and suffering physical or mental distress. We salute the emergency services and all who are working to deal with the aftermath of this outrage.
“The people and nations of the Commonwealth, including New Zealand, work together to bring understanding and cohesion. And we will not be swayed from our collaboration and determination to build peace and understanding, and to counter violent extremism and hatred in all their forms and from whichever quarter they come.”
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives in the devastating attack in Christchurch.
We have all been fortunate to spend time in Christchurch and have felt the warm, open-hearted and generous spirit that is core to its remarkable people.
No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship.
This senseless attack is an affront to the people of Christchurch and New Zealand, and the broader Muslim community. It is a horrifying assault on a way of life that embodies decency, community, and friendship.
We know that from this devastation and deep mourning, the people of New Zealand will unite to show that such evil can never defeat compassion and tolerance.
We send our thoughts and prayers to everyone in New Zealand today.
Today’s tragic events in Christchurch have shocked all New Zealanders.
Our hearts go out to the people of Christchurch, especially the people directly affected by this afternoon’s terrible violence. Our thoughts are with them, their families and friends.
Now more than ever is the time to affirm the values that we hold dear - compassion, kindness and tolerance. I have no doubt that all New Zealanders join with me in expressing their condolences and support
Dame Patsy and Sir David visited the Auckland Bioengineering Institute to find out more about the cutting-edge research being undertaken there.
The Institute applies engineering sciences and technical innovation to medicine and human physiology. The results of their work are already being rolled out commercially for use in labs and hospitals around the world.
Dame Patsy met researchers working on improvements in the delivery of drugs under the skin; investigating the role of abnormal electrical wave activity in digestive illnesses; and using computer modelling to better enable surgeons to make the best decisions in joint replacement surgery.
Commonwealth diversity and Commonwealth connections were celebrated in a wonderful gathering in the Beehive Banquet Hall this evening.
Dame Patsy delivered the Commonwealth Message from HM Queen Elizabeth:
Commonwealth Day has a special significance this year as we mark the 70th anniversary of the London Declaration, when nations of the Commonwealth agreed to move forward together as free and equal members. The vision and sense of connection that inspired the signatories has stood the test of time, and the Commonwealth continues to grow, adapting to address contemporary needs.
Today, many millions of people around the world are drawn together because of the collective values shared by the Commonwealth. In April last year, I welcomed the leaders of our 53 nations to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and we all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope, and inspires us to find ways of protecting our planet, and our people.
We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of cooperation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw. With enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that whilst the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be intangible, its impact is very real.
We experience this as people of all backgrounds continue to find new ways of expressing through action the value of belonging in a connected Commonwealth. I hope and trust that many more will commit to doing so this Commonwealth Day.
At Government House's morning tea on International Women's Day, three women spoke about what the day means to them: Vanessa Stoddart, Global Women Chair; Dr Hiria Hape, Kuia at Government House for many years; and Michelle Huang, who spoke about what it is to grow up as a member of a double minority group in New Zealand.
In the evening, Dame Patsy attended a fundraising event at the Sugar Club for Turning of the Tides/Te Huringa o te Tai o Ngā Wahine, a programme which works with Otara Blue Light in support of young wahine from Otara to enable them to embrace their culture and make better life choices.
Last Friday Dame Patsy formally opened a stunning new sports complex at Dilworth School's junior campus. The opening took place on Founders Day, when the school remembers the extraordinary generosity of the school's 19th century founders, James and Isabella Dilworth, whose bequest enables full scholarship education and board for 640 boys every year. A previous Governor-General, Sir David Beattie, was a Dilworth old boy, and Dame Patsy presented David Beattie Awards to Dilworth graduates who are pursuing post-graduate study. The Dilworth ethos of providing a well-rounded education was evident in the extraordinary kapa haka and singing by the choir. Dame Patsy was delighted to learn that the school is keen to open a similar school for girls in the future.
