On behalf of Dame Cindy, Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann welcomed eight recipients for the first of the 2024 New Year Honours investiture ceremonies in Auckland. FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, Dame Sarai Bareman, was recognised for her immense contributions to football both in Aotearoa and worldwide. Dame Sarai overseas the development of the women’s game in 211 countries, and was instrumental in hosting last year’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. Also recognised was teacher Nua Semuā Silipa, who received an ONZM for services to Pacific education. Where she taught, her prioritisation of Māori and Pasifika academic success helped lift NCEA achievement from 51 to 90%. Congratulations to all this morning’s recipients!
As dawn broke over Te Whanganui-a-Tara this Anzac Day morning, thousands gathered at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to mark New Zealand's national day of commemoration and remembrance. The National Dawn Service included stunning musical performances by the Tawa College Choir and RNZAF Band, readings and karakia, and the laying of wreaths beneath the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
In her address during the service, Dame Cindy paid special tribute to the Second World War veterans in attendance and around New Zealand, and reflected on the enduring meaning of Anzac Day: 'With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace.'
This morning in Auckland, Dame Cindy spoke at the Service of Commemoration marking 30 years since the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. In just 100 days, an estimated one million Rwandans, nearly all Tutsi, were killed. The service was attended by Hon Andrew Bayly, His Excellency Mr Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, Rwandan High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mr Colin Keating, Former Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations, as well as many members of the Rwandan community in New Zealand.
In her speech, Dame Cindy spoke of the unthinkable events of the Genocide, and the importance of learning the lessons of our past: 'At this moment in our history, where we see so much of the suffering and despair of innocent people in the world around us, we do well to remember this lesson. We must compel ourselves not to turn away from the suffering of others, but to do all we can to encourage understanding, reconciliation, and peace – and to deal with one another with generosity and compassion.'
On Friday, Dame Cindy and Doctor Davies spent time with the 40 female senior secondary students attending this year's School-to-Seas Camp at Devonport Naval Base. Hundreds of girls apply for the week-long camp, which promotes STEM careers in marine industries as well as the RNZN, and culminates in team construction of underwater remote-operated-vehicles. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were on hand to see the test runs in the pool and try out the controls themselves. They also visited a very realistic bridge simulator, where training is provided on navigating and steering a ship. The visit concluded with a quick trip back across the harbour in a Navy RHIB.
To read Dame Cindy's speech, click this link School to Seas.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were joined by Gen Hon David Hurley Mrs Linda Hurley for a very special day on Rotoroa Island yesterday, where they released Cove the 17-day-old Coromandel Brown Kiwi. Rotoroa Island Trust works with Save the Kiwi on this bird sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf, creating a kiwi creche for around 50 young chicks to grow up safely away from introduced predators. When the chicks reach around 1kg, they are moved to their permanent homes around Aotearoa. Ngāti Tai Ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Paoa held a pōwhiri to welcome Cove to the island.
Last night Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a reception for the Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley and Mrs Linda Hurley. Guests represented a range of sectors, including defence, government, business, tourism, sport, and the arts. Dame Cindy and General Hurley exchanged gifts of a taiaha and a vase by renowned Australian glass artist, Keith Rowe.
This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies accompanied His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the Governor-General of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley to Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.
Their Excellencies paid their respects together at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and General and Mrs Hurley lay a wreath on behalf of Australians in the beautiful Hall of Memories. They also took the opportunity to spend time at the Australian Memorial in Pukeahu, which commemorates the long and close relationship between the peoples of Australia and New Zealand.
Last night at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a State Dinner for His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the Governor-General of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley.
During her address to the assembled guests, Dame Cindy emphasised the strength and warmth of the relationship between our two countries: 'The Ceremony of Welcome afforded to you today affirms and celebrates the special connection between our Governors-General – as well as the very special relationship that exists between Australia and New Zealand.'
This afternoon, with the autumn sun shining down on Government House Wellington's North Lawn, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a State Welcome Ceremony for His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the Governor-General of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley. This very special event is customary for all Australian Governors-General during their term of office – and the first time that Government House has hosted an official State Welcome since before the Covid-19 pandemic. We wish Their Excellencies a wonderful visit to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Yesterday at the Wellington Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Island Bay, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies took part in a very special celebration of the Cambodian New Year. Their Excellencies enjoyed the wonderful array of food prepared by members of the community, and received a blessing from the Senior Venerable Suthep Surapong MNZM, who has played a significant role in supporting New Zealand's Cambodian community since arriving in Aotearoa nearly 40 years ago.
Children from Newtown School were our guests of honour at this morning's launch of a children's book "The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus", the latest publication in the "Feel Brave" series of books written by Avril McDonald. The series focusses on helping children deal with their feelings and concerns, and is supported by Save the Children, Women's Refuge, and the New Zealand Life Education Trust. The children were joined by Harold the Giraffe while they had their morning tea, and Dame Cindy presented them each with a crown pin as a memento of their visit to Government House.
This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed three new diplomatic heads of mission to their postings in Aotearoa New Zealand: HE Mr Sakias Tameo, High Commissioner of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea; HE Mr Makoto Osawa, Ambassador of Japan; and HE Mr Arto Haapea, Ambassador of Finland. We wish Their Excellencies all the very best in their new roles.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force, this evening Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps at Government House to commemorate their annual Corps Day. This was a chance to acknowledge the role nurses have played in the New Zealand Army Ngāti Tūmatauenga, from heroic efforts in First and Second World Wars, giving life-changing medical treatment in isolated places in the Pacific, and recently, assisting with natural disaster responses both here and abroad. Dame Cindy noted throughout the Nursing Corps 109-year history, they have exemplified their ethos of protecting patient welfare in the most extreme situations.
This evening at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a reception to acknowledge all those who have made the recent Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts such a great success. Over the past four weeks, the Festival has brought together an extraordinary array of writers, dancers, comedians, musicians and artists from around the world, for performances, talks and exhibitions across Wellington.
In her address, Dame Cindy took the opportunity to thank all those involved in organising, sponsoring and performing in the Festival, and reflected on the universal importance of the arts: 'At a time when we might feel overwhelmed by events in the world around us, the arts remain a place of comfort, and a source of wisdom and guidance – a place where we can remind ourselves of the goodness in the world and each other.'
This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were delighted to welcome the Ulu-o-Tokelau, the Honourable Alapati Tavite, and Ministers from the General Fono to Government House. The Ulu-o-Tokelau rotates annually between the elected Faipule (village leaders) of the three atolls, with the most recent election being held in 2023. This is the first visit to Aotearoa by the Ulu-o-Tokelau since 2018.
On Friday night Dame Cindy hosted a centennial dinner for members of Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, as well as supporters and funders. Dame Cindy acknowledged the role Forest and Bird has played in raising awareness about threats to New Zealand's environment, and enabling hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to become involved in efforts to restore and protect the natural world.
Yesterday at the Canterbury Club in Christchurch, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a luncheon hosted by the Christchurch Business Club. The Club was originally founded in 1931, and serves as a place for Christchurch's business leaders to build connections and share experiences and ideas.
In her speech at the luncheon, Dame Cindy commended those in attendance for their contributions to a thriving Christchurch, and took the opportunity to quote Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: ‘The context of the lives of the next generation is being set, here and now, not so much by the legacy of science or wealth or political structure that we shall leave behind us, but by the example of our attitudes and behaviour to one another, and by trying to show unselfish, loving and creative concern for those less fortunate than ourselves.’
Dame Cindy hosted a further investiture ceremony this afternoon at the Christchurch Town Hall, acknowledging the service and achievements of eleven outstanding New Zealanders. Emeritus Professor Alison Cree received the insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her outstanding career in the fields of zoology and herpetology, and particularly for her work to protect tuatara. Mr Corey Peters won gold at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics in the Men's Downhill Sitting event and was presented with the insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Other recipients were acknowledged for their contributions across the fields of music, health, ju-jitsu, Māori development, sport, conservation, and dance.
This morning in beautiful autumnal Christchurch, Dame Cindy hosted the first of two investiture ceremonies, presenting insignia to recipients of Royal New Zealand Honours. Among those acknowledged was Dr Vanessa Beavis, who received the insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her many years of services to anaesthesia. Dr Hafsa Ahmed was also acknowledged for her services to ethnic communities and women, including through her support of the Muslim community following the 2019 Christchurch terror attacks. Very warmest congratulations to all recipients.
Last night at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a very special celebration of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's 80th birthday. Dame Kiri had an extraordinary career as one of the world's most acclaimed opera singers, and continues to give back to the next generation of opera talent through the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Among her many honours, Dame Kiri was made a member of the Order of New Zealand – New Zealand's highest Royal Honour – in 1995.
The evening included a moving performance by bass-baritone Samson Setu, as well as a message from His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who passed on their very best wishes and congratulations. Dame Cindy also paid tribute to this truly remarkable New Zealander: 'The fullness, intensity, and generosity with which Dame Kiri has lived her life, emanates in her performances over the years, and has cemented her status as a true New Zealand icon.'
To mark the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth, Dame Cindy was joined by members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Royal Commonwealth Society, and members of the Interfaith Community for the annual Commonwealth Day celebrations at Parliament. Dame Cindy read a message from His Majesty King Charles III, where His Majesty noted that the diversity of the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries continues to be its greatest strength. This evening's celebrations also featured a stunning performance from the Wellington East Girls College Polynesian Group.
The Commonwealth of Nations consist of around one third of the world’s population – about 2.5 billion people – working towards shared goals of prosperity, democracy, and peace.
Today Dame Cindy chose to celebrate International Women's Day with women who are involved in food rescue work in Tamaki Makaurau. Dame Cindy honoured staff, supporters, suppliers and funders of Fair Food, which recovers surplus fresh food from growers, manufacturers and supermarkets and works with partner organisations to get food to people who cannot afford to feed themselves and their families. Through their intervention, two tons of food per day are diverted from landfills, and thousands of Auckland people receive the sustenance they need.
2024 commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where 156,000 allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy and liberated German-occupied France, which was one of the major turning points in WWII. To remember the New Zealand Merchant Navy’s role in the landings, Dr Davies joined New Zealand Defence Force, Merchant Navy, and Diplomatic Corps representatives for a memorial at Ōtaki College, led by Principal Andy Fraser and his students. They were also joined by members of the Arctic Convoy Club, who are WWII veterans that served at sea. While no Royal New Zealand Naval ships were present at the D-Day landings, the Monowai and Aorangi from the New Zealand Merchant Navy were part of this historic armada. They transported troops and equipment to support the effort, and ferried back casualties to England. Ōtaki College has a strong connection to the SS Ōtaki, a Merchant Navy ship that was sunk in WWI.
As we mark Caregiver Awareness Week, Dame Cindy had the pleasure of hosting the 2024 Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards this afternoon at Government House Wellington. These awards recognise those who go above and beyond to care for vulnerable children – giving them a safe, supportive, and loving home environment.
Among those recognised were Verna and George Kite, who have been fostering children for 56 years. Now in their 80s, they are still active in the caring community and share their knowledge with new foster parents. Also recognised was Te Ahuru Ruri, who has been a specialist caregiver with Kia Puāwai for 16 years, and was praised for his kindness and compassion – particularly when caring for children from difficult backgrounds.
You can find more images from the event here and Dame Cindy speech here. Very warmest congratulations to all recipients of the Excellence in Foster Care Awards.
This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Wellington’s iconic Newtown Festival, with Dame Cindy officially opening the event. The Newtown Festival is an annual street celebration bringing around 100,000 people to Newtown to enjoy stalls, kai, and live performances. As today is also Children’s Day, the talented Te Kapa Haka o Te Kura o Ngā Puna from Newtown School performed the haka whakatau to begin the day’s festivities.
For the past 50 years, youth training ships the Spirit of Adventure, and later the Spirit of New Zealand, have been providing Aotearoa’s rangatahi a unique space to challenge themselves at sea. As patron of the Spirit of Adventure Trust, Dame Cindy was welcomed aboard the Spirit of New Zealand in Wellington Harbour to help celebrate 50 years of voyages in New Zealand. Time sailing on the Spirit sees young people working together as a crew while building confidence, resilience and leadership skills - and of course, learning a thing or two about tall ships. Since that first voyage, almost 100,000 young people have taken part.
Yesterday afternoon Dr Davies welcomed members of the Diplomatic Corps Spouses Association for an afternoon tea at Government House. It was a chance to acknowledge their role in supporting their partners who are heads or deputy heads of diplomatic missions in New Zealand. Dr Davies also thanked the Association for the work they do on behalf of foreign nationals in Aotearoa, facilitating cultural events and offering support and advice in times of need.
As Patron of the Halberg Foundation, Dame Cindy had the pleasure to present the Supreme Award to Dame Lisa Carrington at last night’s ISPS Handa Halberg Awards. Dame Lisa has now won the Supreme Award three times, reflecting her truly outstanding career in canoe racing. Among the other recipients was Julian David, a 19-year-old speed climber who won the emerging talent award. Julian is the U20 youth world speed climbing champion, winning New Zealand’s first gold medal at a world championship level event. The New Zealand Warriors were voted New Zealand’s favourite sporting moment after their incredibly successful year. Last night’s awards recognised sporting excellence in Aotearoa, and are in support of the Halberg Foundation. Since 1963, the Halberg Foundation has been helping young people with physical disabilities have greater access to sports in New Zealand. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.
Yesterday, Dame Cindy visited the University of Auckland’s Ngā Ara Whetū/Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society, to award the winner of the Centre’s ‘Reimagine our World' competition. The winning entry by Marco de Krester, imagined a world in 2050 where instead of halting climate change today, we bioengineered the ocean to assist marine life’s survival – noting how it’s critical to act now rather than find costly fixes when it’s almost too late.
The climate, climate change, biodiversity and societal transformation present complex issues. Established in 2022, Ngā Ara Whetū enables transdisciplinary collaboration to find solutions to these issues, and the ones our planet is predicted to face in the future. They work alongside iwi and other stakeholders, using their different areas of expertise to help people and the planet thrive.
This morning the Speaker of the House came to Government House to present the Address in Reply to the Governor-General. The Address in Reply is the House of Representatives' thanks to the Governor-General for delivering the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the Government's legislative and policy programme for the 54th Parliament.
In Dame Cindy's final Waitangi Day engagement for this year, Her Excellency hosted the Diplomatic Corps for a very special luncheon in the Tahuaroa Function Centre on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The luncheon included moving reflections on the past week at Waitangi, the sharing of kai, and, of course, waiata.
Dame Cindy took the opportunity at the luncheon to deliver her Waitangi Day Address, in which she reflected on the words of Sir Paul Reeves: '"Unity is not oneness. Unity encompasses difference. The search for unity is an invitation not to fear, but to explore what is not familiar." It is my hope that such kotahitanga, such unity, as Sir Paul conceived it, can be our guiding principle as we navigate these times – and it was in that spirit of kotahitanga that my own ancestors signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi, here, on these grounds, 184 years ago.'
This morning, as dawn broke over the beautiful Bay of Islands, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies joined the thousands in attendance at Te Whare Rūnanga for the Waitangi Day Dawn Service. Attendees joined together in song, contemplation and prayer, as Aotearoa New Zealand marks 184 years since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
During the service, Dame Cindy read from He Waiata Whakamoemiti:
Nō reira mātou ka tāpae ki a koe
I a mātou whakamoemiti.
Mō Ranginui i runga nei, mō Papa-Tūānuku e takoto iho nei.
Mō ngā maunga whakahī, mō ngā puke-kōrero
Mō ngā tai-mihi-tāngata, mō ngā moana e hora nei.
Kia whakapaingia a te Karaiti,
Mō ngā tūpuna, mātua, mō te hunga tapu.
Ngā tōtara whakamarumaru, ngā toka tūmoana,
Ngā kākā wahanui, ngā puna roimata.
Kia tīaho te māramatanga ki a rātou,
Kia au tā rātou moe.
So now we offer our thanks
for the beauty of these islands;
for the wild places and the bush,
for the mountains, the coast and the sea.
Our thanks for marae and the cities we have built;
