A ballot is being held for invitations to next year’s Waitangi Day Bledisloe Reception at Government House in Wellington.
Registrations for the ballot open at 12noon on Tuesday 14 October and run until the end of the month. At that point, 875 people will then be chosen at random to attend the garden party, which will be held on Waitangi Day (Friday 6 February) next year. Each of the people selected will be able to nominate a guest to attend with them.
Government House Official Secretary, Niels Holm said the reception hosted by the Governor- General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae offered a great opportunity for people to celebrate New Zealand’s national day at the residence of the Queen’s representative.
“Many people who have attended our open days or toured the grounds wonder what it would be like to attend a function here. We’re delighted to be opening the invitation process to the wider public, and to offer 1750 people their chance to be a guest of the Govenor-General and Lady Janine Mateparae ”, he said.
The Governor-General also welcomed the initiative. “Next year’s commemoration marks 175 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. It is a noteworthy anniversary and a good day to join together with others and reflect on what it means to be a New Zealander.”
This is only the second time a ballot has been held for members of the general public to attend a Government House event. The first time was in 2012, when 64 people were invited to celebrate their birthday with HRH The Prince of Wales.
As with that ballot, people entering the Bledisloe Reception ballot are required to be 18 and over, although they may nominate a guest who is under 18. While the ballot is open to people throughout New Zealand, those attending will have to meet their own transport and accomodation costs.
More information on the terms and conditions relating to the ballot and the entry form itself are available on the Governor-General’s website https://gg.govt.nz/content/2015-bledisloe-reception-ballot.
The ballot opens at 12 noon on Tuesday 14 October and closes at 12 noon on Friday 31 October.