On Waitangi Day, 26 people with ties to 16 countries will become New Zealand citizens at a citizenship ceremony at Government House. His Worship Wayne Guppy, Mayor of Upper Hutt will administer the oaths and affirmations of allegiance.
This is the fourth time the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae have hosted a citizenship ceremony on Waitangi Day.
Sir Jerry Mateparae said, “On the 175th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi, we welcome this opportunity to share our national day with some of our newest citizens – and to affirm the unique historic partnership that is the foundation of our nationhood”.
Earlier in the week, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine will be attending a number of events in Northland, beginning with a dinner in Kerikeri on Tuesday 3 February, hosted by the Chief of Navy.
On Wednesday 4 February, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine will be welcomed on to Te Tii Marae. They will then visit Mangungu Mission House, notable for being the site of the third and largest signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The visit will include a short trip by waka from Horeke to Mangungu. In the evening, they will attend a reception on board HMNZS Te Kaha, hosted by the Chief of Navy.
On Thursday 5 February, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine will attend the Waitangi National Trust Board morning tea reception for the Diplomatic Corps at Waitangi. Following the tradition of previous Governors-General, Sir Jerry will then plant a tree in the Treaty grounds. In the evening Sir Jerry will serve as Reviewing Officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy Beat the Retreat ceremony.
On Friday 6 February, the Governor General and Lady Janine will host the citizenship ceremony at Government House Wellington, followed by the annual Bledisloe Garden Reception, where the Governor-General will deliver his Waitangi Day address. The reception will be attended by a wide range of community and government guests, including members of the Diplomatic Corps. This year members of the public were invited to put their names into a ballot to attend the Reception, with 875 people receiving invitations.
Full programme:
Tuesday 3 February
18:15 The Governor-General and Lady Janine attend a dinner hosted by the Chief of Navy and guests at AKE AKE Vineyard, Kerikeri.
Wednesday 4 February
09.55 The Governor-General and Lady Janine are welcomed on to Te Tii Marae, Waitangi.
14.00-16.00 The Governor-General and Lady Janine visit the Mangungu Mission House in the Hokianga.
18:30 The Governor-General and Lady Janine attend a reception on board HMNZS Te Kaha.
Thursday 5 February
10:00 The Governor-General and Lady Janine attend a morning tea reception to meet the Diplomatic Corps at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
11.30 The Governor-General and Lady Janine plant a tree in the Treaty Grounds.
16.50-17.40 The Governor-General is the Reviewing Officer of the RNZN Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony, Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Friday 6 February
14:30 The Governor-General hosts a citizenship ceremony, Government House Wellington.
16:00 The Governor-General and Lady Janine host a Bledisloe garden reception to mark the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Government House Wellington.