The visit of Governor-General, The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne to the Nelson/Tasman region, which was postponed late last year, will now take place this week.
The two and a half day visit will be the first regional visit by Dame Patsy since beginning her term at the end of August. Her aim is to visit every region of New Zealand before her term finishes in 2021.
Dame Patsy will be visiting local businesses and organisations, focusing on innovation, technology and environmental initiatives during her time in the region.
The visit commences on 22 February with a powhiri at Te Awhina Marae. Later Dame Patsy and Sir David will have dinner with Rachel Reese, Mayor of Nelson City, Richard Kempthorne, Mayor of Tasman District and other community leaders.
On Thursday (23 February), the programme will start with a visit to the Brooks Waimarama Sanctuary followed by a tour of the Suter Art Gallery. They will then visit business success story Pic’s Peanut Butter before attending a lunchtime attention for local winegrowers at Greenhough Vineyard. The afternoon will conclude with a visit to the Cawthron Institute.
In the evening, Dame Patsy and Sir David will host a community reception for invited guests from local community organisations and businesses at The Boathouse.
On Friday (24 February), Dame Patsy and Sir David will visit the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology for a tour of the Innovation Hub and Maritime Simulator. The environment will be the focus again at Nayland College with Their Excellencies meeting with junior students to discuss their tree planting and water monitoring projects. They will also attend a short concert by primary school students who have been learning instruments with the Nayland Music Trust.
The final event of the visit will be a trip by boat from Kaiteriteri to Anchorage, with Dame Patsy and Sir David taking the opportunity to walk a short portion of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Full Programme:
Wednesday 22 February
18:00 Their Excellencies are welcomed onto Te Awhina Marae. All media welcome. Please arrive 10 minutes early and respect marae protocol. Photographs to be taken from the sidelines. No photography in the Wharenui.
19.00 Their Excellencies host a private Mayoral and Community Leaders dinner
Thursday 23 February
09.35 Their Excellencies visit Brooks Waimarama Sanctuary. Media contact: Jo Blick (Public Affairs Adviser, Government House) ph 021 243 7958
10.30 Their Excellencies visit the Suter Art Gallery. Media contact: Julie Catchpole (Director, Suter Gallery) ph 03 548 4699
11.20 Their Excellencies tour Pic’s Peanut Butter: Media contact Nikki Neate (Pic’s Peanut Butter) ph 03 5448402
12.00 Their Excellencies attend a Winegrowers’ Reception at Greenhough Vineyard. Media contact: Meg Matthews (Marketing Manager, Wine Nelson) 021 747 417
13:40 Their Excellencies tour the Cawthron Institute. Media contact: Nicole Taber (Communications and Marketing Adviser, Cawthron Institute) ph 03 539 3212 or 027 550 1552
17.45 Their Excellencies host a Nelson/Tasman community reception for invited guests at The Boathouse. Media contact: Jo Blick (Government House) 021 243 7958
Friday 24 February
09:00 Their Excellencies visit the Innovation Hub and Maritime Simulator at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. Media contact: Virginia Watson (Director of Marketing and International Development, NMIT) email [email protected]
10.30 Their Excellencies visit Nayland College and meet student musicians and members of the Environment and Sustainability team. Media contact: Cristy Monds (EA to the Principal, Nayland College) ph 03 547 9769 ext 800
12:50 Their Excellencies travel by boat from Kaiteriteri to Anchorage. Media contact: Helen Price (Personal Assistant to Director Operations and Director Partnerships, DOC) ph 027 408 3437