Conservation and sustainability have been a strong focus of Dame Patsy's engagements during her term of office, so it was highly appropriate that her final official engagement at Government House should be to launch a new initiative of the QEII National Trust: the Partners in Protection Programme. The QEII Trust's mission to inspire private landowners to protect and enhance open spaces of ecological and cultural significance has resulted in over 4,700 protected areas across Aotearoa. The Partners in Protection Programme honours the generosity of individuals and families who plan to leave gifts to the Trust in their wills and allows the Trust to thank such supporters in the course of their lifetime, and celebrate their passion for protection, enhancement, and preservation of New Zealand’s land. Hon Kiritapu Allan, Minister of Conservation also spoke at the launch, as well as Bruce Wills, who received an ONZM this year for his services to agriculture and conservation.
