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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…

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the National Commemoration of Armistice Day was held to remember the signing of the Armistice Agreement 105 years ago, which ended four years of conflict in the First World War. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies…

Dr Davies attended a meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners, to present former Chief of Navy Rear Admiral (Rtd.) David Ledson an Honorary Membership to the Company. At the meeting, Dr Davies spoke about his own…

Today, five new diplomatic heads of mission presented their credentials at Government House Wellington. Dame Cindy welcomed HE Mr Muhanna Aba Alkhail, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; HE Mr William Tan Wei Yuan, High Commissioner of the Republic…

Dame Cindy hosted Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission’s Public Service Day Awards, recognising 24 public servants who exemplify the spirit of service to New Zealand. The recipients were honoured for their contributions across a wide range of…

Today Dame Cindy hosted the Board of Governors for the annual Thomas George Macarthy Trust meeting. T G Macarthy was a successful brewer and businessman, later known for his philanthropy in the Wellington region. His mission was to build a strong,…

Dr Davies, assisted by Pebbles and Lucy, welcomed Garden to Table and local students in Wellington, as they helped Government House join their schools in becoming a Pollinator Pathway. Pollinator Pathways are safe areas in gardens for pollinators to…

This evening Dame Cindy hosted members of the Association of Former Members of Parliament. The Association promotes ongoing fellowship and camaraderie amongst its members, who come from all sides of the House of Representatives. The Association is…

Yesterday evening, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand to Government House for their 30 th anniversary celebrations. It is estimated that nine out of every ten people who are blind do not need to be, and the Fred…

In 2003, Dame Cindy was a founding Fellow of Te Mata o te Tau, the Academy for Maori Research and Scholarship at Massey University. This afternoon she hosted Fellows of the Academy and senior academics, past and present, to celebrate the long line of…

Call with the King On the 1 st of October, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies travelled to Kuala Lumpur to begin their official visit to Malaysia, at the invitation of His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to commemorate the 66 th anniversary of diplomatic relations…

This morning at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua, Dame Cindy attended the annual Police Remembrance Day service. Held on 29 September each year, the service commemorates both serving and former police staff from across New Zealand,…

For this year’s final investiture in Wellington, 12 recipients were welcomed to Government House. Ron Baker received an MNZM for services to M ā ori and mental health. Mr Barker has spent his career working to improve M ā ori mental health, beginning as a…

This morning 12 recipients received their insignia at Government House this morning, including Jim Schuster, a specialist carver, kowhaiwhai painter and tukutuku weaver. Mr Schuster has restored marae and wharenui across the country, and helped create…

Former Member of Parliament and Mayor of Christchurch The Honourable Lianne Dalziel received a CNZM this afternoon at Government House, recognising her contributions to central and local government . She was elected to Parliament in 1990, and later…

For the final investiture this week, 10 New Zealand Royal Honours recipients were welcomed to Government House. Karl Chitham received an ONZM for services to the arts, particularly Māori arts. He has been a curator in universities, museums and galleries,…

Twelve outstanding New Zealanders received their insignia at this morning’s investiture at Government House Wellington. Among them was Dame Helene Quilter, who was recognised for her 45 years in the Public Service, most recently as the Deputy Public…

The Hon Sir Stephen Kós received his KNZM this morning at Government House. Sir Stephen was recognised for his contributions to the judiciary and legal education, having served as a judge in the High Court, Court of Appeal and as of last year, the Supreme…

This afternoon’s investiture ceremony welcomed twelve further recipients, including Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo, who received an MNZM for services to the New Zealand Police and ethnic communities. In his 21-year career with the police, Superintendent…

This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy presented insignia to 11 further recipients of Royal New Zealand Honours. Among them was Dr Ruth Spearing, who served as Consultant Haematologist at Christchurch Hospital from 1989 to 2020 and…