Governor-General's Visit to Le Quesnoy and the UK

The Governor-General, The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne will depart for France tomorrow evening to attend official commemorative events marking the liberation of Le Quesnoy by New Zealand troops in the closing days of the First World War.

During the battle, the New Zealanders chose not to bombard the town, and instead scaled the town’s ramparts by ladder, thereby limiting civilian casualties and earning lasting gratitude from the inhabitants and their descendants.

Following the commemorative events in Le Quesnoy, Dame Patsy and Sir David will then travel to London, where they will have an opportunity to see the acclaimed Oceania Exhibition at the Royal Academy. A visit to Oxford will include morning tea with New Zealand Rhodes Scholars.

Programme:

3 November

1545                    Opening of the New Zealand Peace Garden, Rangimarie, Le Quesnoy

1930                    Heritage trail walk from the New Zealand Memorial in Le Quesnoy

2020                    Meeting with members of Le Quesnoy-New Zealand Association

4 November

0930                    Le Quesnoy community church service

1030                    Official Commemoration Ceremony

1230                    New Zealand plaque inauguration at the French War Memorial

1315                    Vin d’honneur ceremony at the Town Hall

5 November

1030                    Morning tea with New Zealand Rhodes Scholars at Oxford University

1145                    Tour of Bodleian Library

6 November

0845                    Tour of Oceania Exhibition (private)

1030                    Morning tea with New Zealand High Commission and Agency staff

1855                    Oceania Creative Industries Reception with NZ-UK LINK Foundation

ENDS

For further enquiries, please contact Nerina Bennett at Government House, ph 021 470 583