Search

After doing things digitally in previous times, today Government House welcomed diplomats in person for Dame Cindy’s first Credentials ceremonies. Presenting their letters of credence this morning was HE Dr Zsolt Gábor Hetesy, Ambassador of Hungary and HE…

Dame Cindy visited Wellington clothing company, nisa, created in 2017 by former lawyer Elisha Watson. Nisa has been supporting women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, helping them settle into their new communities and giving them a step-up on the…

Last night Dame Cindy presented "Women of Worth" Awards to six women who had been nominated by Wellington branch members of the Council of Jewish Women. The recipients are all active in their community and also contribute to the wider community - as…

This morning Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the Wellington City Mission. City Missioner Murray Edridge took them on a tour of the current facilities, including the cafe, chapel, and social supermarket. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies met some of the Mission's…

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 the armistice between Germany and the Allies came into effect, signalling the end of World War One. To commemorate Armistice Day, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a socially distanced Act of…

On Friday 29th October 2021, Dame Cindy Kiro hosted a reception for the Diplomatic Corps at Government House Wellington. In her speech to the Corps, Dame Cindy said she was looking forward to developing relationships across the diplomatic community during…

Dame Cath Tizard hosting an investiture ceremony Dame Catherine Tizard was born on the 4th April 1931 in Auckland, to Scottish immigrant parents Neil and Helen McLean.  After graduating from Matamata College, she attended the University of Auckland where…

Dame Cindy Kiro at her swearing-in ceremony “I stand here today: grateful for this opportunity, and determined to bring all my experience, understanding, and resolve to this new chapter of our nation’s story”. On Thursday 21st of October, The Rt Hon Dame…

With the help of digital technology, a very special moment occoured for our Governor-General Designate, Dame Cindy Kiro, when she had a private audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, New Zealand’s Head of State. This follows the long-standing…

Chief Justice the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias speaking to the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy Dame Patsy’s term as Governor-General of New Zealand ended on 28th September 2021. Since being sworn in five years ago to the day, Dame Patsy hosted and attended almost 2000…

Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann In between a Governor-General’s term ending and the appointment of the next Governor-General, there is a need to fulfil the functions of the office during the interregnum. Until the 21st of October 2021, these roles will be…

Conservation and sustainability have been a strong focus of Dame Patsy's engagements during her term of office, so it was highly appropriate that her final official engagement at Government House should be to launch a new initiative of the QEII National…

A very special gathering was held in Taupaepae on the 20th September for the unveiling of Dame Patsy’s Coat of Arms, which now sit proudly next to those of Sir Jerry Mateparae. The Coat of Arms  reflects Dame Patsy and Sir David’s support of the arts, so…

Dame Patsy virtually welcomed incoming Diplomats to Government House with the return of Credentials ceremonies via Zoom this afternoon. Presenting their letters of credence today were HE Mrs Felicidade de Sousa Guterres, Ambassador of the Democratic…

After visiting the site during its construction last year, Dame Patsy had the privilege to open Pet Refuge’s new space, which can now welcome up to 75 animals including cats, dogs, birds and other small pets. At the opening, Dame Patsy and Sir David had a…

This afternoon at Government House, Dame Patsy awarded Royal Humane Society of New Zealand Silver Medals to three extraordinary New Zealanders. Surrounded by family and friends, Constable Scott Higby, Finekata Moataane, and Provisional Sergeant Brett…

For Dame Patsy’s final regional visit as Governor-General, she headed north to Taranaki for a three- Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne head down a tunnel of red lights day trip. The first stop on the trip was a celebration gala for Taranaki Arts…

Last night at Government House Dame Patsy was presented with a Distinguished Fellowship Award by the Institute of Directors, in recognition of her contribution in governance roles in the private sector and government.

On their first stop during the day visit to Christchurch, Dame Patsy and Sir David visited leading New Zealand sustainable fashion lable Untouched World. They produce most of their garments in New Zealand from sustainable and ethical sources that are as…

The second stop on Dame Patsy's final visit to Christchurch was a place she is now well-familiar with - the Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre. This was her fourth visit to the centre, based in the Phillipstown Community Hub. While she…

This afternoon Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the official opening of the Waikato Regional Council's new premises in Hamilton. Dame Patsy declared the building open, and Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero te Tuawhitu unveiled taonga at various…

This evening, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception for the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata. The Gallery, which has its permanent home at Shed 11 on Wellington’s Waterfront, tells the story of New Zealanders through portraiture. The…

At Olympic House in Auckland, Dame Patsy and Sir David received a briefing from New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith and NZOC President Mike Stanley. They also had the chance to speak with soon-to-be departing weightlifting coach Richie…

Last night Dame Patsy and Sir David were hosted to a dinner by the Royal Wellington Golf Club. Governors and Governors-General have had a long association with the Club. Speech transcript

Following on from last week’s dinner for the 11 Defence personnel who have acted as her Aides de Dame Patsy Reddy and AM Kevin Short Camp, yesterday evening Dame Patsy thanked New Zealand Defence personnel for their support during her term of office. Army…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted the annual Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care awards for some outstanding carers this afternoon. The annual awards recognise carers from around New Zealand going above and beyond for young people in need.…

Last Friday, following the investiture ceremony at Christchurch Town Hall, Dame Patsy and Sir David went to St George's Hospital for the official opening of the Cressy Wing. The Wing completes the hospital's extensive rebuild programme that was required…

Congratulations to the 11 recipients who received the insignia of their honours at a ceremony in Christchurch this morning. Amongst them were HamiltonJet Chairman and Technical Director Mike Hamilton, recognised for services to marine engineering and…

In February, a scheduled visit to Bluff's Te Rau Aroha Marae was postponed because of Level Two protocols around the size of public gatherings. After a very special trip to Whenua Hou yesterday to see the kakapo programme in action, which included meeting…

To contend with the crisp Wellington weather, Dame Patsy hosted a smaller (warmer) credentials ceremony inside for new Ambassadors and High Commissioners this morning. Presenting their letters of credence were Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica HE…

Last night Dame Patsy and Sir David attended a meeting of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs at Victoria University. Dame Patsy spoke to an audience of NZIIA members and members of the Diplomatic Corps about the international aspect of the…

The work the Child Cancer Foundation does is so important to families going through an incredibly stressful time. The driving force behind the fantastic work foundation does are people who generously give their time, knowledge and skills – many in a…