Dame Cindy and Dr Davies received a farewell call from His Excellency Mr Tom Udall, Ambassador of the United States of America, and Ms Jill Cooper this morning at Government House Wellington. In a serendipitous piece of timing, the call included a very special mihi of recognition and thanks led by Associate Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins, Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori, and her team at the University of Auckland.
We thank Ambassador Udall and Ms Cooper for their significant contributions to the relationship between New Zealand and the USA during their time in Aotearoa, and wish them all the very best in their next chapter.
Last night at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi 2024 Icon Awards Whakamana Hiranga. Established in 2003, these awards are the Foundation's highest honour – bestowed to a living circle of 20 New Zealand artists for their lifetime achievements and contributions the arts.
The two newest Icon Award recipients were Tā Pita Sharples – treasured Māori cultural leader, educator, and composer; and Neil Finn – one of the country's most highly-acclaimed musicians. The Harriet Friedlander Residency recipient, also acknowledged last night, was Ayesha Green – a visual artist from Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Dame Cindy spoke of the abiding importance of the arts in her speech: 'We live in increasingly uncertain times, and it is through the arts that we receive the profound comfort of knowing we're not alone; a reminder of the too-often-neglected truth of just how much we share.'
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies had the pleasure of hosting His Excellency Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, and First Lady Madam Eva Pavlová at Government House Wellington today. President Pavel and Madam Pavlová are coming to the end of a five-day official visit to New Zealand, attending events in Auckland and in Wellington. This marks the first visit to Aotearoa by a President of the Czech Republic since 1995.
This afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of Citizens Advice Bureau Wellington. This wonderful community organisation established its first branch in Newtown in 1974, with the purpose of providing free, confidential, and independent information and advice to anyone who needed it.
Over the past five decades, CAB has reached a number of significant milestones, including the establishment of multiple branches across Wellington, and the ongoing expansion of services to meet the evolving needs of the region. Operating with a team of seven staff members and 125 volunteers, the organisation continues to offer a no-time-constraint, face-to-face service, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to receive the help they need, regardless of their circumstances.
This afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy gave Royal assent to the Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill, making it an Act of Parliament.
The Bill was passed in Parliament last week with a unanimous vote, and provides a new pathway to New Zealand citizenship for a group of Samoans whose citizenship was revoked by the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982. The unanimous passing and Royal assent of this historic Bill marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Aotearoa and Samoa – and for so many whānau across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
This morning, Dame Cindy attended and spoke at the New Zealand Red Cross Rīpeka Whero Aotearoa National Council Meeting at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington. The Red Cross is a highly-respected, international humanitarian organisation whose work in Aotearoa spans refugee resettlement services, to disaster and emergency response – and it played a significant role in supporting communities following Cyclone Gabrielle. New Zealand Red Cross also sends delegates overseas to assist in areas where humanitarian assistance is needed, and to build capability within the wider Pacific region.
In her speech to those gathered, Dame Cindy acknowledged the importance of the work of this remarkable organisation: 'On behalf of all New Zealanders, I thank you for your commitment to caring for others and upholding their mana when they need it most.'
This afternoon at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies had the great pleasure of welcoming recipients of the 2024 Elliot Tertiary Scholarships. Sir George Elliot was an Auckland businessman and philanthropist who was particularly interested in contributing to the education of rangatahi in Auckland. This scholarship, which began in 1999, helps contribute towards the tertiary education of outstanding school leavers.
Warmest congratulations to India Haldane, Rubylee Greenwood, and Thomas Raybould for their selection as this year’s scholarship recipients. We wish you all the very best as you begin your journey into tertiary education.
To celebrate the recent achievements made by the heart research community, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted representatives and supporters from the Heart Foundation at Government House Auckland. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in New Zealand, and affects more than 1 in 23 people. Since 1968, the Foundation has been connecting cardiologists with like-minded people concerned about the high rate of heart disease in New Zealand. Through research and funding, they aim to find ways to greatly lessen the impact of heart disease on people living with a diagnosis, and how to prevent it from occurring altogether.
This afternoon, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted the Aotearoa Circle for their end of year hui, celebrating the achievements they have made this year, and looking forward to the future. The Aotearoa Circle is a private and public sector partnership, working together to find practical solutions to the effects of climate change, particularly on our natural resources. In her speech at the hui, Dame Cindy acknowledged the organisation and their achievements so far, saying: “Thank you for giving us hope for a way forward, by encouraging proactive next steps with regard to climate adaptation and the restoration of our vital natural capital”.
Recently in Napier, Dame Cindy presided over a ceremony investing 15 postulants into the Order of St John. Each postulant was recognised for their outstanding contributions to Hato Hone St John in areas across the organisation, working as staff or volunteers in community health, ambulance operations, clinical standards, peer support, community programmes, local area committees, human resources, and education. Dr Davies was among those recognised at the investiture, becoming a Commander of the Order of St John, reflecting his role as Hato Hone St John’s Patron of Community Health Services.
At the investiture, Dame Cindy also presented Lily Wilson with the award of National Cadet of the Year 2025.
Yesterday afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association’s National Achievement Awards – recognising the achievements of three outstanding New Zealanders with Down syndrome, presenting the Val Sturgess National Volunteer Award, and inducting new members into STRIVE, a leadership and advisory group for people with Down syndrome.
Dame Cindy spoke of her deep admiration for those being recognised in her speech: ‘I am so impressed, not only by what you’ve each achieved as athletes and in your professional lives, doing what you love – but also for your desire to lift others up through your example, and for your relentlessly positive attitude to whatever obstacles come before you.’ Very warmest congratulations to all acknowledged in yesterday’s very special ceremony.
This morning, Dame Cindy attended the 2024 Te Anga Pāua o Aotearoa National Kapa Haka Festival at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Supported by IDEA, New Zealand's largest provider of intellectual disability services, and running over two days, the festival will feature performances by more than 25 rōpū from across Aotearoa in a joyful celebration of kapa haka. The theme for this year, ‘Noku te ao – 75 years living culture’, acknowledges IHC’s 75th anniversary of supporting New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities across our communities.
During her tour behind the scenes, Her Excellency took the opportunity to practice some of her own formidable kapa haka skills with the rōpū from Tauranga. Very warmest congratulations to all performers and supporters of this wonderful festival.
On Thursday last week, Dame Cindy and other members of the Rhodes Scholarship interview panel were tasked with interviewing seven absolutely outstanding scholars, who progressed through the rigorous selection process for this internationally prestigious award. Each applicant is among the top students in their chosen field, while also excelling in other domains, including sports and the arts. Our warmest congratulations to Meredith Ross-James, Tom Swinburn, and Brittany Dick, who are the successful candidates of the Rhodes Scholarship. We wish them all the very best as they undertake their post-graduate study at Oxford University.
This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed four new diplomatic Heads of Mission for their credentials ceremony at Government House Wellington. A warm welcome to HE Mr Keith Smith, High Commissioner of Canada; HE Ms Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark; HE Dr Wilson Kipge’tich Kogo, High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya; and HE Mr Janti Kalajoqa, Ambassador of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. We wish them all the very best as they begin their new roles.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Probus in New Zealand, Dr Davies hosted members from clubs from all around the country for a celebratory high tea at Government House Wellington. Probus – a community service activity of Rotary Clubs – aims to help people adjust to retirement by connecting its members with fun, friendship, and fellowship. As part of a wider international group, the first Probus club in New Zealand was founded on the Kapiti Coast in 1974, and has since grown to around 140 clubs with 12,000 members.
Dame Cindy had the pleasure of opening Stage One of Youth Hub Christchurch yesterday morning in beautiful Ōtautahi. Through its extensive partnerships and outstanding facilities, the Hub aims to provide extensive, wrap-around support and care to young people in need – from mental health and medical support, to accommodation, to employment and career guidance. The Youth Hub Trust is led by Dame Sue Bagshaw, and this outstanding facility will be the first of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.
As Dame Cindy said in her speech, the Youth Hub, and all the immense good it will achieve for the young people and the wider community of Christchurch, embody the whakataukī: 'Poipoia te kakano kia puāwai. Nurture the seed and it will blossom.'
Dame Cindy had the exceptionally rare honour of presenting new Colours to the 2nd/1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III, during a spectacular ceremony yesterday afternoon at Burnham Military Camp. 2/1 RNZIR last received Colours 44 years ago – while a King’s Colour specifically hasn’t been presented to a New Zealand Army battalion since 1937.
While Colours are no longer carried onto the battlefield, they continue to hold important practical and symbolic meaning: serving as unit identifiers, but also memorialising the history and spirit of the battalions which carry them, and the courage and sacrifice of all those who have served throughout their history. These new Colours have the added distinction of including battle honours inherited from New Zealand battalions which served during the First and Second World Wars.
Wishing the current generation of the 2nd/1st Battalion all the very best in this new chapter in their history, as they begin to sew their own outstanding legacy into these beautiful new Colours.
For 120 years, the Wellington City Mission has been dedicated to caring for people in need. This morning Dame Cindy opened WCM’s new home, Whakamaru, which represents a gamechanger in the delivery of housing and social services. Whakamaru is a beautiful, light and sustainable build, with great care and thought evident in every aspect. The goal is to break down the barriers between 'us' and 'them' and create an ‘intentional community’, where Wellingtonians can join manuhiri in using public spaces, including a café, chapel and meeting rooms. Thirty-five apartments will provide long-term transitional housing, and manuhiri will have access to showers, laundry facilities, a social supermarket, counselling, medical and dental care, and a chapel. The café will operate on a pay as you can basis, and will shift modes at 7pm to become a crisis recovery centre.
This morning, Dame Cindy welcomed Board Members of the TG Macarthy Trust for their annual meeting and granting strategy review. TG Macarthy was a Wellington businessman who died in 1912, who found success primarily as brewer. Upon his death, he established the TG Macarthy Trust in his will to continue supporting charities and community organisations in the Wellington Region, with a particular focus on helping the disadvantaged, improving education for children, caring for older people, and the provision of medical and emergency services.
Last week Dame Cindy and Dr Davies travelled to Niue to attend the celebrations to mark 50 years of self-government in free association with New Zealand.
At the Fale Fono II, Their Excellencies met members of the Assembly, and Dame Cindy was seated on a Vice-Regal chair gifted by the New Zealand Government. She delivered a Speech from the Throne that outlined the aspirations and programme of the Government of Niue.
The 19th of October, Pule Fakamotu (Constitution Day) brought together the people of Niue, Members of the Assembly, leaders of Pacific nations and members of the Diplomatic Corps for a Flag-Raising Ceremony, the presentation of Niue Awards, and the display of a Galue Fafau, an impressive presentation of traditional raw foods. The day concluded with cultural performances at a Constitution Day concert. You can read Dame Cindy's speech from the very special ceremony via Pule Fakamotu 2024 (Constitution Day Flag Raising) Commemoration speech.
The following day, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended church in the morning and an evening reception at the New Zealand Official Residence, along with Members of the Assembly and the Diplomatic Corps. You can read Dame Cindy's speech from the event via reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Niue speech.
Their final engagement was a church service to celebrate Peniamina Day, which marks the arrival of the first Christian missionary to Niue in 1846. Dame Cindy took the opportunity to reflect on her very special time in Niue – ‘the Rock of the Pacific’.
Photo Credit - Office of the Secretary of Government Niue
This year has seen a new cohort of Defence Chiefs take up their roles: Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Mathew Williams, Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, Major-General Rose King, Chief of Army, Air Vice-Marshall Darryn Webb, Chief of Air Force, and Major General Rob Krushka, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand. Last night’s dinner at Government House was the first time they and their partners had gathered together since they took up their appointments. It was an opportunity for Dame Cindy to offer her congratulations, to thank them for services Defence provides for Aotearoa New Zealand, and to wish them well.
This morning Dr Davies joined the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand to officially open their 2024 conference. Promoting the study or collecting of currency, medals and other similar artefacts, the RNSNZ was established in 1931. They have played an important role in many of the biggest changes to our currency, including establishing New Zealand’s own coins in 1933, and the later shift to decimal currency.
At this morning’s event, Gail Romano, curator at Auckland War Memorial Museum, gave a presentation about Sir Gilbert Archey and the medals that reflected his significant contributions to the arts and sciences in New Zealand. Tom Hockenhull, curator at the British Museum, spoke about the lost coins of Sir Hans Sloane. Sir Hans is most notable for bequeathing over 70,000 items to help establish the British Museum, and is also credited for creating chocolate milk.
Despite the number of firefighters present at Government House Wellington this morning, there was no sign of alarm, as Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted members of the Newtown and Central Fire Stations for morning tea. It was a chance to thank some of our neighbouring emergency responders for the hard work they do keeping Te Whanganui-a-Tara safe. They are part of over 14,000 firefighters across New Zealand, and of that number 11,800 serve as volunteers.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were delighted to host a credentials ceremony for four new diplomatic heads of mission at Government House Wellington this morning. Welcome to HE Mrs Idelta Maria Rodrigues, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; HE Archbishop Gábor Zoltán Pintér, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See; HE Mr Jaan Reinhold, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia; and HE Mr Ernesto Antonio Duenas Azucena, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador. We wish them all the very best for their new roles. The Guard of Honour and cultural group supporting today’s credentials ceremonies were members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
For this year’s final investiture ceremony, Dame Cindy welcomed nine recipients to Government House Auckland. Among them was Dame Theresa Gattung, who was recognised for services to women, governance and philanthropy. Dame Theresa, who was the first female CEO of an NZX listed company, co-founded the Gattung Foundation to support education and communities, reduce inequality and poverty, and to advocate for animal welfare. She also helped establish Coralus – an organisation supporting female innovators and entrepreneurs.
Also among those recognised was Silver Ferns icon Temepara Bailey, who has won a World Cup and two Commonwealth gold medals with our national netball team. Warm congratulations to all today’s recipients!
To begin the final week of investitures at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy welcomed eight New Zealand Royal Honours recipients. Former Queenstown mayor, Jim Boult, received a CNZM for services to local government, tourism and the community. Mr Boult was mayor of Queenstown Lakes District Council from 2016-2022, and has contributed to many community organisations, including the Child Cancer Foundation where he serves as Patron.
Also among those recognised was journalist Rachel Smalley, receiving an MNZM for services to broadcasting and health advocacy. Ms Smalley has presented current affairs programmes on television and radio for over 25 years, working both nationally and internationally. Warm congratulations to all this morning’s recipients.
Seven further outstanding New Zealanders were acknowledged this afternoon at Government House Auckland, for their achievements and service to Aotearoa New Zealand. Mr Rod Duke received his CNZM insignia for services to philanthropy and business – particularly for his leadership in overseeing the Briscoe Group's growth into the largest capitalised retailer on the New Zealand stock exchange. Mr Duke’s broader philanthropic support has benefitted organisations including Westpac Rescue Helicopter, St John Ambulance, Bayswater School, and the Tzu Chi Relief Foundation for overseas relief. Other recipients were acknowledged for their contributions to dragon boating, health, the Pacific community, youth theatre, volleyball, the Korean community, and swimming. Warmest congratulations to all of today's recipients!
For this week’s final investiture ceremony, Dame Cindy welcomed eight recipients to Government House Auckland. Former Silver Fern Adine Wilson was recognised for her contributions to netball in New Zealand. Ms Wilson played for the Silver Ferns from 1999-2007, was part of the World Cup winning team in 2003, and was captain when the Silver Ferns won their first Commonwealth Games gold in 2006.
Also among those honoured today was Vincent Ashworth, who received a CNZM for services to agriculture. Mr Ashworth was a Senior Agriculturalist with the World Bank, helping farmers in over 30 developing countries with food production. Warm congratulations to all of today’s recipients!
Eight further outstanding New Zealanders received their Royal Honours insignia this afternoon at Government House Auckland. Their diverse achievements and areas of service spanned health and health advocacy, education, Pacific performing arts, Māori, the Anglican Church, rugby league, and mosaic art. Our very warmest congratulations to all of this afternoon's recipients.
Investiture ceremonies continued this morning at Government House Auckland, with eight further recipients acknowledged for their outstanding service and achievements across New Zealand communities. Among those recognised today was Mr Dan Allen-Gordon, who received his KSO for services to youth and charitable governance – notably through his establishment of the Graeme Dingle Foundation Bay of Plenty, whose work has had an immense positive impact on thousands of young people in long-term programmes. Miss Leitualaalemalietoa Pavihi also received her MNZM for her outstanding commitment to the protection and growth of the Niuean language. Our warmest congratulations to all of today's recipients!
This morning, Dame Cindy welcomed seven recipients to Government House for their investiture ceremony. Phillip Lam received an MNZM for services to martial arts, recognising how he pioneered the sport in New Zealand. Mr Lam introduced kung fu to Aotearoa in 1975, and later Muay Thai/Thai boxing. He founded Lee Gar Kung Fu and Lee Gar Thai Boxing, and has coached many of our champion fighters.
Also among those recognised was Fleur Corbett, who received an MNZM for services to conservation. Mrs Corbett has been heavily involved with Guardians of the Bay of Islands, working to remove pests and restore seven islands to reintroduce native species. Congratulations to all of today’s recipients!
At this afternoon’s investiture ceremony, women’s rowing pioneer Lesley Milne received a CNZM to honour her decades of services to the sport. She was part of the first women’s crew to represent New Zealand in Europe in 1974, and continued a strong involvement with rowing as a coach, an umpire, and in governance roles. She served as President of Rowing New Zealand - the only woman to have held this role.
Dr Murray Williams was also among those being recognised, receiving an ONZM for services to wildlife conservation and science. Dr Williams has been instrumental in the establishment and implementation of conservation programmes for our endangered waterfoul, most notably the Whio. He provided the photo of the Whio that appeared on an earlier version of our $10 banknote. Congratulations to all this afternoon's recipients.
