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This morning, Dr Davies attended the annual SS Ōtaki commemorative wreath laying at Ōtaki College. This event honours those who lost their lives in the 1917 sinking of the SS Ōtaki and remembers all who have been lost at sea.   The theme for this year’s…

Last night at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted the launch of Dwell Housing Trust's 'It Starts With Home' campaign, which seeks to change the narrative around social and community housing in Aotearoa.   As an organisation, Dwell's goal is to…

This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy received a farewell call from the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, HE Ms Iona Thomas, and her husband, Mr Matt Thoume.   Ms Thomas has been serving in New Zealand since July 2022, and we…

Dame Cindy recently hosted staff from Wellington City Mission at Government House Wellington. Staff enjoyed a tour of the house before meeting with Dame Cindy (and Pebbles and Lucy).   Wellington City Mission has been a fixture of the Wellington community…

This morning, Dame Cindy spoke at the Electoral Commission national training for Electorate Managers as part of their preparation to deliver the 2026 General Election. Dame Cindy’s speech touched on the importance of the role that Returning Officers play…

Dame Cindy recently hosted a reception at Government House Wellington to mark the 50th anniversary of Life Flight.   Life Flight has been providing life-saving aeromedical assistance to the North Island and Lower South Island since its founding in 1976…

This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy received the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned Te Tira Ārai Urutā. Established in December 2022, the Inquiry aimed to capture those lessons learned from the…

The Governor-General, also Commander-in-Chief, received outstanding support from the New Zealand Defence Force during her official visit to Tokelau – travelling aboard HMNZS Canterbury, with transfers to and from each atoll conducted via NH90 helicopters…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies spent their third and final day in Tokelau on Atafu, as part of ongoing centenary celebrations. Their Excellencies were greeted with a joyful array of colour and song, before having the opportunity to meet with community members…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies continued their official visit to Tokelau with a day of poignant celebrations on Nukunonu. Their Excellencies had the pleasure of spending time with elders, women, and church leaders, as well as with tamariki – hearing about the…

On Their Excellencies’ first day of their official visit to Tokelau – marking the centenary of the unique relationship between New Zealand and Tokelau – Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the beautiful atoll of Fakaofo.   Their Excellencies received a…

Last week Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited Urupukapuka Island, where Project Island Song is paying such huge dividends for our native flora and fauna. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies met some of the good people who have helped to create a beautiful pest-free…

This afternoon in Apia, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies had the pleasure of meeting with His Highness, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, the Head of State of Samoa, and His Good Lady, Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimaleali’ifano. His Highness and Her…

The Dawn Service in front of Te Whare Rūnanga at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds brings people together to reflect on the thoughts and hopes of our forebears who were involved in formulating, debating and signing our nation's founding document, 186 years ago…

This afternoon at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Kororāreka, Russell, Dame Cindy hosted a luncheon for the diplomatic corps. A traditional element of the Governor-General's Waitangi Week programme, this luncheon offers diplomatic representatives to…

The Iwi Chairs Forum is holding its annual meeting at Waitangi, and last night Dame Cindy took the opportunity to touch base with iwi leaders at a reception she hosted at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The evening concluded with Dame Cindy and Bayden Barber…

This morning at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a meeting of the Waitangi National Trust Board, which is responsible for administering the historic site. Their Excellencies heard about the Trust's ambitious plans for the…

This afternoon, to begin Her Excellency's time in the beautiful Bay of Islands for Waitangi commemorations, Dame Cindy was welcomed with a stirring pōwhiri onto Te Tiriti o Waitangi Marae. The pōwhiri marked the first time that Her Excellency had visited…

One of the Governor-General's constitutional roles is to receive the credentials of new Ambassadors and High Commissioners to New Zealand. A credential is the formal letter from an Ambassador or High Commissioner’s Head of State appointing them as their…

On Sunday, Dame Cindy attended a commemoration in Auckland to mark the UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This is an annual event hosted by the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand to honour and remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and…

On Monday, Auckland Anniversary Day, Dame Cindy attended a luncheon in celebration of the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta at the Navy Museum in Torpedo Bay. The luncheon was attended by members of the Regatta Committee and the Royal New Zealand Navy who…

Earlier this week, Dame Cindy hosted a morning tea for Justice Susan Glazebrook who is retiring after more than 25 years of public service. Dame Susan has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court for the past 13 years and has acted as Administrator of the…

On Friday, Government House hosted 300 tamariki from Mt Cook School for a picnic as part of the school’s 150 th birthday celebrations. Dame Cindy was treated to kapa haka, dance and musical performances by the school before cutting a birthday cake to mark…

Last week, Dr Davies hosted nineteen recipients of the Boys’ Brigade King’s Badge and four recipients of the Girls’ Brigade Queen’s Award at Government House. This is the highest attainable youth award in each of these organisations and is achieved…

On Tuesday, Dame Cindy attended the launch of historian Charlotte Macdonald’s new book, Garrison World. Charlotte is Professor Emerita of History at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading…

The Defence Force Person of the Year award celebrates individual success and recognises organisational excellence. The 2025 NZDF Person of the Year, Acting Petty Officer Kristen Kotuhi received her award, a bronze statue of a huia feather, from Dame Cindy…

The Auckland International Seafarers Centre provides a welcoming space for international merchant navy crews to relax and unwind after long voyages and arduous schedules. Yesterday Dr Davies formally opened the Centre’s new premises in a building provided…

On Saturday, Dame Cindy took up the role of Reviewing Officer for the 2025 New Zealand Commissioning Course. 35 graduates, including 10 international students, have completed a gruelling 11-month long course and will now join the Army as officers. A…

The Neurological Foundation funds ground-breaking research in the interest of making a positive impact to the 1 in 3 New Zealanders living with a neurological condition. Yesterday at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy presented the inaugural Programme…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were welcomed onto Scott Base on Friday afternoon, within the southernmost part of the Realm of New Zealand – the Ross Dependency – beginning a five-day visit to Antarctica.   The climate of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean has a…

Over the last year, ShelterBox International has provided emergency shelter to 3 million people who had lost their homes due to conflict or natural disaster. Rotary Clubs around the world raise funds to support this vital work. Last night former Governor-…

The Royal Society Research Honours Aotearoa recognise New Zealand academics and scholars who have achieved excellence in their chosen fields. This week at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy presented awards to eight researchers for their outstanding…