A citizenship ceremony at Government House in Auckland will be a feature of the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae’s Waitangi Day programme.
Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae will also attending a number of events at Matakana, Whāngarei, Waitangi and Auckland from Saturday 2 February to Wednesday 6 February.
At the citizenship ceremony 25 people from 18 countries will become New Zealand citizens. Auckland Mayor Len Brown will administer the oaths and affirmations of allegiance. It is the second time Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae have hosted a citizenship ceremony on Waitangi Day.
On Saturday 2 February Sir Jerry and Lady Janine will travel to Matakana and visit the local Farmer’s Market before travelling to Whāngarei to open the Medical Museum at the KiwiNorth Heritage Park.
On Sunday 3 February, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine will attend a luncheon in Russell for New Zealand Royal Honours recipients from the Far North.
On Monday 4 February, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine will be welcomed on to Te Tii Marae.
On Tuesday 5 February they will host the annual Bledisloe Reception at Waitangi. (Media must RSVP – see below). The Governor-General will then serve as Reviewing Officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy Beat the Retreat ceremony.
On 6 February, the Governor-General and Lady Janine will host a citizenship ceremony followed by a garden reception at Government House Auckland, attended by a wide range of community and government guests, including members of the Diplomatic Corps. During the reception, the Governor-General will give his second Waitangi Day address. (Media must RSVP – see below).
Full programme:
Saturday 2 February
09:30 The Governor-General and Lady Janine visit Matakana Farmers’ Market.
11:00 The Governor-General and Lady Janine visit Morris and James Pottery, Matakana
14:30 The Governor-General and Lady Janine visit and open Medical Museum, Heritage Park, Whāngarei.
Sunday 3 February
12:30 The Governor-General and Lady Janine attend a luncheon for recent honours recipients at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Russell.
Monday 4 February
10:00 The Governor-General and Lady Janine are welcomed on to Te Tii Marae, Waitangi
Tuesday 5 February
15:00 The Governor-General and Lady Janine host the Bledisloe Reception, Copthorne Hotel Grounds. Media wanting to attend must RSVP to Antony Paltridge (021 470583) to register their attendance before 5 February.
16:45 The Governor-General is the Reviewing Officer of the RNZN Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony, Waitangi Treaty Grounds. For more information, contact Chris Weissenborn RNZN on 0212 295746
Wednesday 6 February
15:00 The Governor-General hosts a citizenship ceremony, Government House Auckland. Media wanting to attend must RSVP to Antony Paltridge, (021 470 583) to register their attendance before 6 February.
16:00 The Governor-General and Lady Janine host a garden reception to mark the 173rd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Government House Auckland. Media wanting to attend must RSVP to Antony Paltridge, (021 470 583) to register their attendance before 6 February.
16:30 The Governor-General will give his Waitangi Day address. An embargoed copy of the address will be issued to media earlier in the day.
For more information, contact Antony Paltridge, Government House Public Affairs Manager, on 021 470 583