Search

This morning in beautiful autumnal Christchurch, Dame Cindy hosted the first of two investiture ceremonies, presenting insignia to recipients of Royal New Zealand Honours. Among those acknowledged was Dr Vanessa Beavis, who received the insignia of a…

Dame Cindy hosted a further investiture ceremony this afternoon at the Christchurch Town Hall, acknowledging the service and achievements of eleven outstanding New Zealanders. Emeritus Professor Alison Cree received the insignia of a Companion of the New…

Last night at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a very special celebration of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's 80th birthday. Dame Kiri had an extraordinary career as one of the world's most acclaimed opera singers, and continues to give…

To mark the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth, Dame Cindy was joined by members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Royal Commonwealth Society, and members of the Interfaith Community for the annual Commonwealth Day celebrations at Parliament. Dame Cindy read…

2024 commemorates the 80 th anniversary of D-Day, where 156,000 allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy and liberated German-occupied France, which was one of the major turning points in WWII. To remember the New Zealand Merchant Navy’s role in…

Today Dame Cindy chose to celebrate International Women's Day with women who are involved in food rescue work in Tamaki Makaurau. Dame Cindy honoured staff, supporters, suppliers and funders of Fair Food, which recovers surplus fresh food from growers,…

As we mark Caregiver Awareness Week, Dame Cindy had the pleasure of hosting the 2024 Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards this afternoon at Government House Wellington. These awards recognise those who go above and beyond to care for…

For the past 50 years, youth training ships the Spirit of Adventure, and later the Spirit of New Zealand, have been providing Aotearoa’s rangatahi a unique space to challenge themselves at sea. As patron of the Spirit of Adventure Trust, Dame Cindy was…

Yesterday afternoon Dr Davies welcomed members of the Diplomatic Corps Spouses Association for an afternoon tea at Government House. It was a chance to acknowledge their role in supporting their partners who are heads or deputy heads of diplomatic…

As Patron of the Halberg Foundation, Dame Cindy had the pleasure to present the Supreme Award to Dame Lisa Carrington at last night’s ISPS Handa Halberg Awards. Dame Lisa has now won the Supreme Award three times, reflecting her truly outstanding career…

Yesterday, Dame Cindy visited the University of Auckland’s Ngā Ara Whetū/Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society, to award the winner of the Centre’s ‘Reimagine our World' competition. The winning entry by Marco de Krester, imagined a world in 2050…

This morning the Speaker of the House came to Government House to present the Address in Reply to the Governor-General. The Address in Reply is the House of Representatives' thanks to the Governor-General for delivering the Speech from the Throne, which…

This morning, as dawn broke over the beautiful Bay of Islands, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies joined the thousands in attendance at Te Whare Rūnanga for the Waitangi Day Dawn Service. Attendees joined together in song, contemplation and prayer, as Aotearoa New…

In Dame Cindy's final Waitangi Day engagement for this year, Her Excellency hosted the Diplomatic Corps for a very special luncheon in the Tahuaroa Function Centre on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The luncheon included moving reflections on the past week…

This evening Dame Cindy reviewed a hundred-person Royal Guard of Honour at the RNZN Beat Retreat and Sunset Ceremony at Waitangi's Treaty Grounds. Beat Retreat has been a long-standing tradition at the annual commemorations at Waitangi. The lowering of…

Following Beat Retreat, Dame Cindy joined the Waitangi National Trust for their Commemoration Dinner. The Waitangi National Trust act as guardians of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and Her Excellency was pleased to acknowledge the trust and staff for their…

This morning, Dame Cindy was welcomed back onto the Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a very special mihi whakatau in the presence of Te Whare Rūnanga. Dame Cindy was supported by her kaumātua Mr Joe Harawira, who spoke beautifully on Her Excellency's behalf,…

This evening Dame Cindy shared korero, waiata and kai with representatives of the National Iwi Chairs Forum at Waitangi's historic Treaty Grounds. It was a time for Dame Cindy to catch up with Iwi leaders from across Aotearoa, and hear about their plans…

This morning at Government House Auckland, four new diplomatic heads of mission presented their credentials to Dame Cindy. Welcome to HE Mr George Azer Saleeb Tadros, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt; HE Mr Lawrence Meredith, Ambassador of the…

A VIP (Very Important Pup) was welcomed to Government House this morning – Kiro, the guide dog in training. In June last year, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the Blind Low Vision NZ’s breeding and training centre in Auckland, where Dame Cindy lent her…

Last night at Government House, Dame Cindy hosted a festive reception for Samaritans Wellington. Samaritans provides confidential, non-judgmental, non-religious support to those in our communities experiencing loneliness, depression, and other mental…

This afternoon, on a beautiful day in Waiouru, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended the graduation of this year's New Zealand Officer Cadet Commissioning Course. This hugely challenging 11-month course aims to develop the leadership, character, and skill of…

Today marked the State Opening of Aotearoa New Zealand’s 54th Parliament, which began with a haka pōwhiri and a guard of honour for Dame Cindy and Dr Davies as they arrived on Parliament's forecourt. In an important aspect of the day’s formalities, Dame…

Following the Commission Opening of Parliament this morning, Dame Cindy has confirmed the Rt Hon Gerry Brownlee as the 32nd Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Confirmation of the Speaker Ceremony was conducted in both English and te reo Māori,…

Congratulations to the recipients of this year's scholarships from the Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust: John Taylor, Kate Chandulal-Dee and Shana Singh-Anderson. Dame Cindy presented their certificates at Government House Auckland this morning. The…

Tonight, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies celebrated the 25 th Anniversary of APEC Voices of the Future, at Government House Wellington. APEC Voices of the Future has run alongside the APEC CEO Summit since 1998, and supports young New Zealanders to take part in…

The Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, will appoint the new Ministry at a ceremony at Government House Wellington this morning at 11am. During the ceremony, Dame Cindy will exercise her reserve powers to appoint Mr Christopher Luxon as Prime…

Tonight at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted the Royal Society Te Apārangi Wellington Research Honours Aotearoa for 2023. These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of New Zealand researchers and scholars across their respective…

Continuing the 60th celebrations for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme in New Zealand, this evening Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a reception for the Award, joined by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Since the Award’s establishment in Aotearoa New…

Tonight at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a reception with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh for supporters of the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award Programme in New Zealand. In his speech, His Royal Highness gave his heartfelt thanks to attendees…

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is currently visiting New Zealand, as worldwide head of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programmes. While he is in New Zealand, Prince Edward is attending events celebrating the 60th year of the Hillary Award programme in New…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted Public Service Commissioners from across the Pacific, who are in Aotearoa New Zealand to attend The Fono 2023. The Fono is a chance for Pacific Public Service Commissioners to share knowledge and collaborate on approaches…