Last night in the Banquet Hall at Parliament, Dame Cindy attended a celebration of Commonwealth Day, honouring the shared values and ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations.
During the event, Her Excellency delivered His Majesty King Charles III's Commonwealth Day Message, which emphasised the importance of caring for one another and the planet we share. The evening also included performances by Sam Manzanza and cultural groups from Wellington East Girls’ College, as well as moments of reflection and prayer led by representatives from Wellington's faith communities.
In his message for this year, His Majesty, Head of the Commonwealth, said: 'We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility. Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed.'
You can read His Majesty's full message here: His Majesty King Charles III's 2026 Commonwealth Day Message
You can find more images from the event here: Commonwealth Day 2026