This morning, eleven Royal Honours recipients and their guests were welcomed to the first of nine investiture ceremonies to be held this month at Government House Wellington. Recipients included Yolanda Soryl, CNZM, who was acknowledged for her work in developing phonics education, Professor Frank Bloomfield, ONZM, whose research has advanced knowledge of fetal development and infant nutrition, and Dr Graeme Elliott, ONZM, who was recognised for his research into New Zealand's endangered birds and the threats to their survival. Our warmest congratulations to all the recipients.
Last night, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a State Dinner in honour of the Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, and his Good Lady, Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo.
Guests included Samoan New Zealanders who have contributed to New Zealand in a variety of fields.
On this crisp, clear Wellington morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a very special State Ceremony of Welcome for His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, the Head of State of Samoa, and His Good Lady, Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimaleaeli’ifano. The ceremony included a guard of honour executed beautifully by members of the New Zealand Defence Force, as well as wonderful performances by students from Wellington College and Naenae Primary School's Tava’e Samoan Bilingual Unit. For the occasion, Their Excellencies wore tapa cloths gifted to them during their State Visit to Samoa back in 2022.
Our warmest welcome to His Highness and His Good Lady, and we wish them all the very best for their State Visit to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The current round of investiture ceremonies concluded this morning at Government House Auckland. Tōhunga whakairo (master carver) Clive Fugill was among those recognised today by Dame Cindy, for his lifetime of commitment to the craft of carving, and for supporting the next generation of carving talent. Barbara Dreaver received her ONZM for her staunch commitment to the highest-quality investigative journalism, and to telling New Zealand and Pacific stories – while vastly experienced literary editor Harriet Allan received her MNZM for her role in nurturing some of New Zealand's finest writers over the past 35 years.
Our very warmest congratulations once again to all those outstanding recipients acknowledged today and over the past two weeks – and our thanks for your service to Aotearoa New Zealand and your commitment to excellence.
Dame Cindy hosted a further investiture ceremony this afternoon at Government House Auckland, recognising the achievements and service of six outstanding New Zealanders. Recipients today were acknowledged for their contributions across the fields of search and rescue, governance and Māori, food science and nutrition, cricket, sailing administration, and the Indian community. Very warmest congratulations to all of this afternoon's recipients.
Dr Kevin Trenberth was among the seven recipients of Royal New Zealand Honours insignia this morning at Government House Auckland. Dr Trenberth is a world-renowned scientist in the field of climate variability and climate change, who holds several distinguished fellowships, and was a lead author of three Scientific Assessment of Climate Change reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, sharing in the Panel’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Mrs Letty Brown was also acknowledged for her lifelong service to Māori and early childhood education, particularly through her support of and advocacy for the Kohanga Reo movement. Very warmest congratulations to all of this morning's recipients!
This evening at the Due Drop Events Centre in Auckland, Dame Cindy attended a gala dinner as part of Whaiora o Ngā Iwi Taketake – the inaugural conference hosted by Te Hononga o Tāmaki me Hoturoa. Te Hononga is a hauora Māori health provider based in Tāmaki Makaurau, and its conference, which runs for four days, is a celebration of indigenous peoples and knowledge, and seeks to foster a holistic approach to community and whānau wellbeing. Attendees included Māori health professionals, researchers, policy makers, academics, students, business owners, and community workers focused on indigenous health.
Investiture ceremonies continued this morning at Government House Auckland, with seven further recipients acknowledged for their outstanding achievements and service to Aotearoa New Zealand. Sir Ian Mune received his knighthood for a lifetime of service to New Zealand film, television, and theatre. Many New Zealanders will know Sir Ian for his roles co-writing and performing in the classic New Zealand films ‘Sleeping Dogs’ (1977) and ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’ (1981), as well as directing ‘Came a Hot Friday’ (1984). Other recipients received their insignia for services to journalism, gymnastics, Māori health and social services, dance, heritage preservation, and photography. Our warmest congratulations to all those acknowledged at this morning's very special ceremony.
Seven further recipients were welcomed to Government House this afternoon for their investiture ceremony, including Kevin Prime, who received a CNZM for services to Māori, the environment and health. Mr Prime is a member of the Waitangi Tribunal, founding secretary of the Ngāti Hine Health Trust, and is a Commissioner on the Environment Court. Also among those recognised was Dr Shirley Jülich for services to restorative justice and survivors of sexual abuse. Since the 1990s, Dr Jülich has worked in the restorative justice community to help abuse survivors experience a sense of justice. Congratulations to all of this afternoon’s recipients.
This morning, Dame Cindy welcomed seven recipients for their investiture ceremony this morning, including Pacific children’s health advocate, Dame Teuila Percival. Dame Teuila is a founding member of South Seas Healthcare, which has grown to provide healthcare for over 120,000 people in South Auckland. Through South Seas, Dame Teuila has also provided medical expertise across the Pacific, including as being the leading clinician in response to the 2009 tsunami in Samoa. Also among those recognised was Jo-anne Wilkinson, who was awarded a CNZM for services to youth. Since her involvement in developing the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s youth programmes in 1995, more than 300,000 rangatahi have participated. Congratulations to all this morning’s recipients!
As patron of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, this afternoon Dame Cindy welcomed the 2024 graduates of the NZOC Wāhine Toa Leadership programme to Government House Auckland. The programme, which began in 2017, offers female athletes a 13-month learning environment to help them transition from playing sport, to a career in sports leadership. Niniwa Roberts, who played 141 games for the Black Sticks before moving on to participate in the Wāhine Toa programme, spoke to this year’s graduates about how it has shaped her leadership journey. We wish the 2024 graduates all the very best for their futures in sports leadership.
This morning, Dame Helen welcomed eight outstanding New Zealanders for their investiture ceremony, including Sir Scott Macfarlane, who was recognised for transforming the treatment of child cancer in New Zealand. Sir Scott led the development of the National Child Cancer Network, which helped reduce inequity of child cancer treatment across Aotearoa. As a result of this coordinated approach, the child cancer survival rate rose from every second child not surviving 40 years ago, to more than 80% surviving today.
Also among those recognised was Bill Urale, better known as King Kapisi, who was the first hip hop artist to receive the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll songwriting award. He was also recognised for his work in the community, including his advocacy for the Turning the Tide on Suicide campaign and Whare 4 Whānau. Congratulations to all of today’s recipients!
Eight recipients were welcomed to Government House Auckland for their investiture ceremony this afternoon, including Associate Professor Greg Anson, who was awarded an ONZM for his contributions to exercise sciences and human movement neuroscience. Associate Professor Anson has had a life-long career studying the mechanisms and processes by which the brain and body control movement, and is an International Fellow of the American National Academy of Kinesiology.
Also recognised was Mr Tevita Funaki, who is CEO of The Fono Trust – a Pacific community-owned health organisation which began in 1987, and now has over 150 staff offering wrap-around health and social services in Auckland.
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.
