A welcome at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and a citizenship ceremony in Auckland will be key events in Governor-General, Dame Patsy Reddy’s extended programme commemorating Waitangi Day.
The first event for Dame Patsy and husband Sir David Gascoigne will be hosting the traditional dinner for the Chief of Navy in Paihia (Saturday, 3 February). The following day (Sunday 4 February), Their Excellencies will be officially welcomed at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Later on Sunday, they will visit Rangihoua Heritage Park before attending a reception on HMNZS Otago.
Monday 5 February will see Dame Patsy and Sir David mixing and mingling with members of the Diplomatic Corps at a special reception at the Treaty Grounds, with a meeting with the Waitangi National Trust Board scheduled for later that day.
Dame Patsy’s final responsibility at Waitangi will be serving as Reviewing Officer at the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Beat Retreat ceremony.
On Waitangi Day itself (Tuesday 6 February) Dame Patsy will welcome 1000 New Zealanders from all walks of life to the Bledisloe Garden reception at Government House in Auckland. The guests, a substantial number of whom received their tickets via a ballot, will be entertained by music from the Airforce Jazz Band and New Zealand singer-songwriter Nadia Reid. There will also be a kapa haka performance from Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae.
The final event will be on Thursday 8 February at Government House Auckland where Dame Patsy will host a special citizenship ceremony, where 26 ‘new New Zealanders’ will officially become citizens. His Worship Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland will administer the oaths and affirmations of allegiance.
ENDS
Full programme:
Saturday 3 February
19:00 The Governor-General and Sir David Gascoigne host a dinner for the Chief of Navy and guests at Provenir Restaurant, Paihia.
Sunday 4 February
10.00 The Governor-General and Sir David Gascoigne are welcomed at the Treaty Grounds, Waitangi. (Please contact the Waitangi National Trust Board for media arrangements for this event)
14:00 The Governor-General and Sir David Gascoigne visit Rangihoua Heritage Park
18:30 The Governor-General and Sir David Gascoigne attend a reception on board HMNZS Otago
Monday 5 February
10:15 The Governor-General and Sir David Gascoigne attend a morning tea reception to meet the Diplomatic Corps at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
14:00 The Governor-General attends a meeting with the Waitangi National Trust Board, Museum of Waitangi, Waitangi Treaty Grounds
17:00 The Governor-General is the Reviewing Officer of the RNZN Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony, Waitangi Treaty Grounds. (This event is open to the public and media)
Media contact for the Governor-General in Waitangi: Jo Blick, Advisor, Engagement and Communications, ph 021 243 7958 or email [email protected]
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Tuesday 6 February – Waitangi Day
16:00 The Governor-General and Sir David Gascoigne host a Bledisloe Garden Reception to mark the 177th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Government House Auckland.
The Governor-General’s speech will be released under embargo on the day of the reception. Media are welcome to cover the reception. Please RSVP to Nerina Bennett by email [email protected] by 5pm Monday 5 February
Thursday 8 February
14:30 The Governor-General and Sir David Gascoigne host a citizenship ceremony, Government House Auckland.
Media are welcome to attend the citizenship ceremony. Please email Jo Blick, Advisor, Engagement and Communications, Government House at [email protected] by 11am, Thursday 8 February.