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On a beautiful winter Wellington Sunday morning, Dame Cindy joined the inaugural Mission to Seafarers service at Old St Pauls.   The Mission to Seafarers is an international organisation providing practical, emotional, and spiritual support to seafarers.…

E nga rau rangatira mā, e huihui mai nei, i tēnei ahiahi, tenei aku mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. Nau mai haere mai ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tianara ki Whanganui-a-Tara.  I wish to acknowledge Hon Cameron Brewer – Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs;…

Today at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a special lunch to show her appreciation for a group whose vital work goes largely unrecognised.   From farming to bungy jumping, Standards NZ relies on hundreds of volunteers to contribute their…

This morning, Government House Wellington played host to a very special celebration – 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand.   Rural Women New Zealand was founded in 1925, initially as a group of farmers’ wives who had gathered in Wellington for the…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I wish to begin by specifically acknowledging: Heather Sorensen,…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e ngā kaiwhakawā o Te Kōti ā Rohe o Aotearoa, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Tēnā koutou katoa. I wish to begin by acknowledging: The Right Honourable Dame Helen Winkelmann,…

Last night, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended the District Court Judges Triennial Conference in Auckland, a national gathering of judges from across Te Kōti ā Rohe o Aotearoa.   In her address, the Governor-General reflected on the vocation of judging,…

This afternoon, Dame Cindy received a call from His Excellency Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, at Government House in Wellington. The Muslim World League is an independent international organisation…

Documentaries can help to open our minds and hearts to the experiences of others – deepening understanding, fostering empathy, and encouraging us to see the world from new perspectives.   Last week, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended the opening night of…

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Sam Neill KNZM OBE.   Sir Sam was one of New Zealand’s great storytellers – admired here, across the Tasman, and around the world. Through his work and the way he carried himself, he reflected so many…

E mihi ana ki Te Kāhui o Matariki This week eyes across New Zealand will be raised to the Winter skies, watching for the reappearance of Matariki, signalling Te Tau Hou Māori, the Māori New Year. Known by many names to peoples across the world, the…

E nga rau rangatira mā, e huihui mai nei, i tēnei ahiahi, tenei aku mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. Nau mai haere mai ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tianara ki Whanganui-a-Tara.  I wish to specifically acknowledge Matua Joe McLeod, our renowned maramataka o nga hua…

Each year, Matariki offers a special opportunity to open Government House and bring people together in the spirit of reflection, connection, and renewal.   With an icy Wellington southerly howling outside, Government House was filled with the warmth of…

The Homosexual Law Reform Act of 1986 marked a turning point in New Zealand’s history. It followed years of courage, advocacy, and struggle by those who fought for dignity, safety, and equal treatment under the law. Yesterday afternoon, Dame Cindy hosted…

This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy received a call from Justine Daw, Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive of Royal Society Te Apārangi.   The Royal Society plays an important role in advancing research, scholarship, and the pursuit of…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I wish to begin by specifically acknowledging: Dame Fran Wilde, Mayor…

This afternoon Dame Cindy welcomed three further new heads of mission to Government House in Wellington, receiving their credentials and marking the start of their mandates: HE Mr Benedikt Höskuldsson, Ambassador of Iceland; HE Mr Edward Pérez Reyes,…

Throughout the year, the Governor-General welcomes new foreign ambassadors and high commissioners to the country in a ceremony with a distinctively New Zealand character. Following a cultural welcome by members of the New Zealand Defence Force, heads of…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I would like to begin by specifically acknowledging:, The Honourable…

On yet another wet and windy evening in Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a reception to acknowledge all those who have been instrumental in keeping our region safe throughout the recent severe weather events. Guests included mayors from around the Wellington…

On Saturday, Dame Cindy joined the Niuean community in Christchurch to mark the 125 th anniversary of Niue being part of the realm of New Zealand. This constitutional relationship has been the foundation of the strong friendship shared between Niue and…

Fakaalofa lahi atu kia mutolu oti – my warmest Pacific greetings to you all. I thank you for the warm welcome extended to me today. It is a privilege to be included in your celebrations. I would like to begin by specifically acknowledging:, The Honourable…

On Saturday afternoon, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a plaque unveiling at the historic Christchurch Club. Club members planted a scarlet oak to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in tribute to His Majesty’s lifelong…

E nga rau rangatira ma, E kui mā, e koro mā, e Huihui mai nei I tenei ra, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa. I would like to begin by acknowledging Tim Rookes, President of the Christchurch Club, for the warm welcome here today. I am…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kāwana Tianara o Tāmaki Makaurau. I would like to begin by specifically acknowledging:, Judge James…

This evening, Dame Cindy hosted the launch of the Te Korowai o Taonui Charitable Trust at Government House Auckland. The Trust is a new initiative which will support young people as they transition from the Rangatahi Court system. Te Korowai o Taonui’s…

Today at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy hosted a very special investiture ceremony for Sir Trevor Clarke who was knighted for his services to business and tourism. Sir Trevor has spent 60 years in the Cook Islands and held a variety of roles,…

E kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa. I’d like to specifically acknowledge: Monica Briggs – Chief Executive of the Child Cancer Foundation; Jim Boult – Patron of the Child Cancer Foundation; Dan Walker -…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed the recipients of the Child Cancer Foundation’s Life Membership and Star Awards to Government House Auckland. These awards recognise individuals who go above and beyond in support of the Foundation’s mission, helping…

E nga rau rangatahi mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I wish to begin by acknowledging Mr Peter Cullen, founder of the Strengthening Democracy…

Government House Wellington hummed with energy as Her Excellency hosted a diverse group of high school students from the Strengthening Democracy project. Around 70% of colleges in the Wellington area are taking part this project which educates young…