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Jim Bolger and Helen Clark This evening, Dame Cindy hosted a very special dinner for members of the Order of New Zealand, which is New Zealand’s highest honour. Members have achieved to the highest level in their respective fields – each have made…

This afternoon, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed the recipients of the Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards. Each recipient has gone above and beyond in their vital roles as foster carers, taking in at-risk young people and providing…

We acknowledge today the sad news of the passing of Sir Murray Halberg. Sir Murray's outstanding athletics career was highlighted by his winning the gold medal in the 5,000 metres at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960. Following his retirement from running,…

This afternoon Dame Cindy presented Royal Humane Society of New Zealand medals to six recipients: Anna Brooke, Michael Smith, Henry Deans and Jeffrey Davies for their part in rescuing two trampers trapped on a mountain side; Paul Gerritson for rescuing…

Dame Cindy on Friday received an Honorary Doctorate in Health from her alma mater Massey University in Palmerston North. During her address to graduands in the beautiful Regent Theatre, Her Excellency said: 'We need critical-thinking, curious, empathetic…

On Thursday, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the Waikato and Cambridge Studs – two of New Zealand’s premier Thoroughbred nurseries, each carrying an international reputation for breeding excellence. While there, she met some of the resident stallions,…

Yesterday Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a reception honouring a new Life Member of the Child Cancer Foundation, Karen Heslip. Dame Cindy also presented medals to Star Tamariki, children who have had cancer and tell their stories to give other child…

Darcy Hadfield was the first New Zealander to win a medal at an Olympic Games. His bronze medal in the single sculls at the 1920 Antwerp Games set the bar for New Zealand rowers to emulate, and arguably started New Zealand's prominence in the sport.…

Yesterday Dame Cindy was on hand to launch Justice Matthew Palmer and Dean Parker's new survey of New Zealand's constitutional arrangements "The Constitution of New Zealand". 

Dame Cindy welcomed seven new overseas representatives to New Zealand today: HE Mr Viktor Vavricka, Ambassador of Switzerland; HE Mr Chang-sik Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; HE Mr Areg Hovhannisian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia; HE Mr…

Dame Cindy Kiro and Ranui Ngarimu walk on to Arowhenua Marae Dame Cindy and Dr Davies headed to South Canterbury for a regional visit to Timaru. Their Excellencies first engagement was a powhiri at Arowhenua Marae, which lies between the junction of the…

Yesterday Dame Cindy presided at a ceremony at Government House where she awarded Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O'Regan insignia for their additional membership of the Order of New Zealand.

Last night Government House celebrated Public Service Day by hosting Te Ra Ratonga Tumatanui Public Service Day Awards. The 34 public servants received their Public Service Medals from Dame Cindy, the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson and the…

This morning in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Dame Cindy held investitures for eight Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee honours recipients, including our most decorated para athlete, Dame Sophie Pascoe. Dame Sophie had her international debut in the pool at…

For the final investiture in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Dame Cindy recognised seven further outstanding New Zealanders. Among them was Farid Ahmed, a survivor of the 2019 terrorist attacks who has since travelled nationally and internationally speaking about…

Our very warmest congratulations to this year's New Zealand Rhodes Scholars. Elliott Hughes, Maisy Bentley, and Oliver Sutcliffe's selection is not only testament to their outstanding academic careers so far, but also to their clear commitment to using…

Dr Davies visited Glenside’s historic Halfway House to plant a rimu in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. The heritage house and gardens can be found roughly at the halfway point between Wellington and Porirua, and was originally built in the…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Space Place at Carter Observatory to see Ngā Tohunga Whakatere: The Navigators. The 3D film tells the story of how Māori, Pasifika and Europeans sailed to Aotearoa by relying on the skies as their guide. It tells this…

Very warmest congratulations to Sandy McKie on her permanent appointment as Usher of the Black Rod – the first woman appointed to the role in New Zealand’s history. The Usher of the Black Rod acts as the Governor-General’s messenger for ceremonial…

At 15 years of age, a young Princess Elizabeth instructed that acorns from Windsor Great Park be sent to Wellington New Zealand, to be planted in Queen’s Park – a site developed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Unfortunately, the journey…

Dame Cindy was in Auckland to help welcome the 12 competing teams of the women's Rugby World Cup to Aotearoa New Zealand, and presented each team captain their participation cap and medal. The event also featured a welcome from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and a…

Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood's extraordinary generosity and support of landmark health initiatives was recognised at today's opening of a new children's health service in Wellington: Te Wao Nui, located in a building which is named the named the…

“She showed us that though our lives can sometimes feel at the mercy of immense and indifferent forces, what matters most remains always within our control: the small acts of goodness and generosity we perform each day.” This reflection on the life of…

Dame Cindy Kiro, Dr Richard Davies, Jacinda Ardern, Clarke Gayford, Shannon Austin Dame Cindy and Dr Davies travelled to the United Kingdom with the New Zealand delegation to attend the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Dame Cindy was the…

Nine recipients were welcomed to Government House this morning for their investiture ceremony, including Dame Judy McGregor, who was acknowledged for her services to human rights and health. Dame Judy has worked with human rights institutions…

For the final Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours investiture ceremony at Government House Wellington, nine recipients received their insignia. Maha Galal received an MNZM for services to the Muslim community. Among her many advocacy roles, she…

Among this morning’s ten investiture recipients, Revered Jon Hartley received a QSO, recognising his services to governance and the community. Revered Hartley was chair of the Wellington City Mission board, was a trustee of World Vision New Zealand and…

Chief Justice, the Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann, presided over investitures this afternoon as the Administrator of the Government. Dame Helen welcomed nine recipients to Government House, including Lorraine Scanlon, who is chair of the National Council of…

This morning, the Administrator of the Government Dame Susan Glazebrook welcomed nine outstanding New Zealanders for their investiture at Government House. Among them were four recipients who were recognised for their contributions to Fire and Emergency…

For this week’s final investiture, eleven recipients were honoured at Government House Wellington. Former Children’s Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft, received a QSO for services to the judiciary, children and youth. Judge Becroft contributed to the…

Aotearoa New Zealand’s most capped Silver Ferns Coach, Dame Ruth Aitken, was presented with her DNZM at Government House this morning. Dame Ruth coached our national netball team from 2002 to 2011, helping them win a World Netball Championship and two…

Ten people were invested with their honours at Government House today and were acknowledged for their outstanding services across diverse fields, including governance, agricultural science, health, business, music, journalism, wildlife conservation,…