The Governor-General's blog

Educator, treaty settlement adviser and Maori heritage protector Sir John Clarke was knighted at Government House this morning by Dame Patsy. The sixth and final investiture ceremony for this round included representatives from the worlds of the arts, sport and music as wel as a significant number from Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Investiture images

Suffrage 125 was commemorated at Government House this afternoon with a special investiture ceremony, celebrating the achievements of New Zealand women.

Politician Dame Annette King received the insignia of her order alongside artists Julia Morison and Lisa Reihana and thirteen other notable women. Congratulations to all this afternoon's recipients.

Wellington Investiture - Wednesday 16 May, PM

Congratulations to all 22 honour recipients at this morning's ceremony at Government House. They included The Hon Sir Douglas White, KNZM for services to the judiciary; former Reserve Bank Governor Graham Wheeler, CNZM; and broadcasters Philip Sherry, MNZM and Lloyd Scott, MNZM.

Image Gallery

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception for the Fred Hollows Foundation at Government House in Wellington. Guests heard about the highlights of the 25 years of the Foundation's work and heard from a panel of three experts about new initiatives around preventing blindness in the Pacific. An announcement of significant support from MFAT for a National Eye Clinic in Vanuatu was also made.

Event images

Receiving their insignia in this ceremony were:

The Honourable Peter Dunne, of Wellington, CNZM, for services as a Member of Parliament

Mr Robert Fowler, of Auckland, QSO, for services to the community

 Mr Donald Best, of Wellington, ONZM, for services to music

Detective Inspector Thomas (Tom) Fitzgerald, of Canberra, ONZM, for services to the New Zealand Police and the community

 Mr Allan Cook, of Marton, MNZM, for services to river and drainage engineering

Ms Nita Knight, of Nelson, MNZM, for services to business and the community

Dr Suitafa Deborah Ryan Nicholson (Debbie Ryan), MNZM, of Wellington, for services to the Pacific community and health

Mr Hare Paniora, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to Māori and education

Mr Nigel Skelt, of Invercargill, MNZM, for services to badminton

 Senior Constable Russell Smith, of Blenheim, MNZM, for services to the New Zealand Police and youth

Mr Mark Stewart, of Darfield, MNZM, for services to the community and sport

Mrs Shona Andrell, of Christchurch, QSM, for services to the stroke community

Mr Alfred (Warwick) Grimmer, of Dunedin, QSM, for services as a charity auctioneer and to the  community

Mr Michael (Mike) Keefe, of Rotorua, QSM, for services to the community

Mrs Diane Nutsford, of Timaru, QSM, for services to people with Alzheimers and dementia

Mrs Cynthia Ward, of Hamilton, QSM, for services to nursing and children's health

Mr Richard (Dick) Williams, of Lower Hutt, QSM, for services to the State

Mr Randal Heke, of Waikanae, NZAM,for services to New Zealand interests in Antarctica and historic preservation

Receiving their insignia at this ceremony were:

Ms Frances Valintine, of Auckland, CNZM, for services to education and the technology sector
The Honourable Kerry (Chester) Borrows, of Hawera, QSO, for services as a Member of Parliament
Archdeacon William (Wiremu) Kaua, of Wellington, ONZM, for services to Māori, education and the State
Dr James (Malcolm) Macpherson, of Alexandra, ONZM, for services to local government and the community
Professor Barbara Brookes, of Dunedin, MNZM, for services to historical research and women
Dr John Guthrie, of Dunedin, MNZM, for services to education and sport
Mr Denis Hartley, of Ohope Beach, MNZM, for services to aviation and rescue services
Dr Palatasa Havea, of Palmerston North, MNZM, for services to the Pacific community and the dairy industry
Mr Noel Hyde, of Rotorua, MNZM, for services to wildlife conservation and research taxidermy
Mr Paul McArdle, of Havelock North, MNZM, for services to cycling and the community
Ms Sarah Reo, of Havelock North, MNZM, for services to Māori and education
Ms Susan (Sue) Stanaway, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to philanthropy and the community
Dr Rudolf (Ruud) Kleinpaste, of Christchurch, MNZM (Honorary),for services to entomology, conservation and entertainment
Ms Linda Chalmers, of Auckland, QSM, for services to art
Mr Ian Dick, of Napier, QSM, for services to the community and local government
Mrs Elizabeth (Liza) Eastman, QSM, of Parapara, for services to the arts and the community
Mr Neil Falconer, of Rangiora, QSM, for services to the community and broadcasting
Mr Parshotam Govind, of Auckland, QSM, for services to the Indian community
Mrs Julie Syme, of Kaikoura, QSM, for services to the community
Mrs Lyndsay Wright, of Greytown, QSM, for services to swimming

This morning's investiture ceremony from Government House in Wellington.

Receiving their insignia were:

Ms Cassia Coles (Joy Cowley), of Featherston, ONZ, for services to New Zealand
Dr Garth Carnaby, of Lincoln, CNZM, for services to science and governance
Dr William Rolleston, of Saint Andrews, CNZM, for services to the farming industry
The late Mr Michael Brown, of Lower Hutt, QSO, for services to governance
Dr Andrew Hill, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to endoluminal vascular repair
Dr Andrew Holden, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to endoluminal vascular repair
Ms Penelope (Penny) Mudford, of Wellington, ONZM, for services to arbitration and the primary industries sector
Ms Elise Bradley, of Toronto, MNZM, for services to music
Mr Dugald (Stuart) Collie, of Invercargill, MNZM, for services to agriculture and education
Ms Melanie (Merenia) Donne, of Whanganui, MNZM, for services to training disability assistance dogs
Emeritus Professor John Hearnshaw, of Christchurch, MNZM, for services to astronomy
Mr Cameron (Cam) Moore, of Christchurch, MNZM, for services to the manufacturing industry and the community
Mr Paul Pritchett, of Lyttelton, NZM, for services to yachting and the community
Dr David Tipene-Leach, of Napier, MNZM, for services to Māori and health
Mrs Foumana Alene-Tumataiki, of Auckland, QSM,for services to the Niue community and education
Mrs Carrol Browne, of Fox Glacier, QSM, for services to the community
The late Mr Leslie Graham, of Masterton, QSM, for services to brass bands
Mr Graham Keep, of Oamaru, QSM, for services to Scouting and the community
Mr Daniel (Dan) Lyders, of Outram, QSM, for services to conservation and forestry
Mrs Prabha Ravi, of Lower Hutt, QSM, for services to ethnic communities and dance

Dame Patsy and Sir David wish to pass on their condolences to the family of Lady Beattie who died in Wellington on Wednesday.

The wife of Sir David Beattie,Governor-General from 1980 - 1985, Lady Beattie not only undertook all the duties of a vice-regal spouse but made some welcome improvements at Government House, particularly in the kitchens.

She was also responsible for one of this country's most famous pictures, having gifted Prince William the Buzzy Bee toy he so memorably played with on the lawn at Government House in Auckland during the 1984 Royal Visit in 1984.

Dame Patsy says "Lady Beattie was a wonderful ambassador for New Zealand, working alongside Sir David during their time at Government House. She was also a strong supporter of New Zealand arts and culture all her life. It was always a pleasure to see her at Government House events and I valued the generous support she provided at my Swearing-In. She will be greatly missed"

The full video of this mornin's investiture ceremony

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This morning's recipients were:

The Honourable Dr Michael Bassett, CNZM, of Auckland, for services as a historian
Mr Colin Bidois, of Tauranga, ONZM, for services to Māori
Ms Helene Wong, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to the arts and the Chinese community
Dr Judy Blakey, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to seniors
Mr John Mace, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to swimming
Dr Haare Williams, of Papakura, MNZM, for services to Māori, the arts and education
Ms Raewyn Bhana, of Drury, QSM, for services to the community
Mrs Diane Brown, of Ngaruawahia, QSM, for services to the community and sport
Mrs Lynnette Flowers, of Hamilton, QSM, for services to the community
Mr Alan Turner, of Tauranga, QSM, for services to the game of bridge

Dame Patsy and Sir David travelled to Turkey to represent New Zealand at commemorative events associated with the Gallipoli campaign. Our thanks to New Zealand Defence for providing us with  images of some of the events that they attended.

In addition to speaking at the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove and at Chunuk Bair, Dame Patsy and Sir David were given a battlefield tour, visited cemeteries and memorials, and represented New Zealand at the Turkish International Service, the French National Service, the Commonwealth and Irish Service, the Turkish National Service, and the Australian National Service.

On leaving Gallipoli, the next stop was Ankara, where Dame Patsy met HE Mr Recep Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey and the Mr Ismail Kahraman, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Anzac Cove Speech Transcript

Chunuk Bair Speech Transcript

Image Gallery Day One and Two

Image Gallery Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair

Image Gallery Ankara Visit

The full video of this afternoon;'s investiture ceremony

Receiving their insignia at Government House in Auckland were:

Mr William Birnie, of Auckland, CNZM, for services to governance, the arts and sport
Mr Mark Hadlow, of Martinborough, ONZM, for services to the arts
Ms Helen Robinson, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to business, particularly the technology sector
Mr Peter Turnbull, of Whangarei, ONZM, for services to aviation
Ms Sharon Wilson-Davis, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to the community
Emeritus Professor Roger Moltzen, of Hamilton, MNZM, for services to education
Dr Camille Nakhid, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to ethnic communities and education
Mr Charles Kiata, of Waitakere, MNZM (Hon), for services to the Pacific community
Mr Bruce Gordon, of Ngatea, QSM, for services to local government and the community
Mrs Lesley Gordon, of Ngatea, QSM, for services to the community

Receiving their insignia at Government House in Auckland this morning were:

The Honourable Dame Georgina te Heuheu, DNZM, for services to the State and Māori
Ms Jane Drumm, of Auckland, QSO, for services to victims of domestic violence
Mr Neil Bateup, of Huntly, ONZM, for services to agriculture and the community
Mr Frederick Graham, of Waiuku, ONZM, for services to Māori art
Dr John Kay, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Mr Maurice McKendry, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to harness racing
Mr Ray Annamalai, of Auckland, QSM, for services to the community and Tamil culture
Dr Morag Hardy, of Auckland, QSM, for services to paediatrics and the community
Mrs Patricia Stafford-Bush, QSM, of Auckland, for services to the community

The full video of this morning's ceremony at Government House in Auckland

Receiving their insignia at Government House were:

Dame Rangimarie (Naida) Glavish, of Auckland, DNZM, for services to Māori and the community

Dr Manying Ip, of Auckland, CNZM, for services to the Chinese community and education

Ms Evelyn Weir, of Hamilton, QSO, for services to seniors and the community

Mrs Sonia Chambers, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to people with disabilities

Mr Vernon Dark, of Kaiwaka, MNZM, for services to business and education

Mr John Gow, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to art

Associate Professor Michael Hilton, of Dunedin, MNZM, for services to conservation

 Mr Gary Langsford, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to art

Mrs Margaret Miles, of Auckland, QSM, for services to local government and the community

Mr Ross Thorby, of Auckland, QSM, for services to the community

The full ceremony from Government House.

This afternoon's recipients -

Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, of Auckland, DNZM, for services to fashion and the community

Mr William (Lindsay) Tisch, of Matamata, QSO, for services as a Member of Parliament

Ms Rachel Brown, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to sustainable business development

Ms Nicola Legat, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to the publishing industry

Mr Wetini Mitai-Ngatai, of Rotorua, ONZM, for services to Māori performing arts

Mr Murray Chandler, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to chess

Dr Renee Liang, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to the arts

Ms Petrina Togi-Sa’ena, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to Pacific music

Reverend Matiu Eru, of Hastings, QSM, for services to Māori and education

Mrs Kathleen Greenwood, of Wellsford, QSM, for services to the community

Mrs Inga Nu’u, of Auckland, QSM, for services to the community

Full coverage of this morning's investiture ceremony

The recipients are:

Sir Bryan Williams, of Auckland, KNZM, for services to rugby
The Honourable David Cunliffe, of Auckland, QSO, for services as a Member of Parliament
Mrs Jeremy Drummond, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to early childhood education
Ms Helen Pollock, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to art, particularly sculpture
Mr Barry Atkinson, of Gisborne, MNZM, for services to philanthropy and the community
Mr Calven Bonney, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to the trucking industry and motorsport
Mrs Valeti Finau, of Auckland, MNZM (Hon) for services to education and the Pacific community
Mr Aidan Bennett,of Auckland, QSM, for services to the community
Ms Myra Larcombe, of Opua, QSM, for services to swimming