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Dame Patsy hosted a reception for patronage organisation Sister Cities New Zealand, as they celebrated 40 years of global connection and diversity. There are close to 160 sister city relationships currently active in New Zealand, encompassing cities and…

Last night Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted Public Sector leaders, including Chief Executives of Government Ministries, Departments and agencies. She thanked them for their responsiveness over a particularly challenging year. Speech transcript

Dame Patsy received the credentials of the new diplomatic envoys from Thailand and Turkey at Government House in Wellington. The Guard of Honour and Maori Cultural Group were supplied by the Royal New Zealand Navy.  The Royal New Zealand Airforce Band…

Today Dame Patsy and Sir David travelled to Manaia Marae on the Coromandel Peninsula, where Dame Patsy conferred the insignia of a knighthood on Justice Sir Joe Williams, the first Maori to be appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court. Hundreds of people…

Following on from the successful Auckland event, it was Government House Wellington's turn to host members of Sweet Louise for morning tea this week. Sweet Louise is a charitable organisation who help people with incurable breast cancer live as long as…

This morning, Dame Patsy had the privilege to welcome members to Government House Auckland for a special morning tea (extra special for one member, as it was her birthday!) Sweet Louise is a charitable organisation, with the main aim of helping people…

Dame Patsy took the Royal Salute and inspected the Guard of Honour at a Beat Retreat and Sunset Ceremony commemorating 175 years of the New Zealand Army at Pukeahu National War Memorial in Wellington this evening. The New Zealand Army Band performed music…

Dame Patsy broke out the McNeil tartan to attend the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships in Hastings this afternoon. Accompanied by the Mayor of Hastings Sandra Hazlehurst, Dame Patsy and Sir David watched the finals of the mace flourishing - always…

Today New Zealanders who served in Jayforce were honoured at their first National Commemoration at Pukeahu, and subsequently at an afternoon tea at Government House. Jayforce personnel served in the occupying forces in post-war Japan, and today marks 75…

This morning the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard came to Government House to present the Address in Reply. The Address in Reply is the House's thanks to the Governor-General for delivering the Government's legislative…

This afternoon Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted an afternoon tea for the member organisations of Community Networks Wellington who worked tirelesly to support others during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The member organisations encompass more than 400…

The core role of the New Zealand Police in ensuring people are safe and feel safe is built on a core set of values: Professionalism Respect Integrity Commitment to Māori and the Treaty Empathy and Valuing Diversity. Today's afternoon tea acknowledged the…

This afternoon a National Remembrance Service - Ko Tātou, Tātou, We Are One - was held in Christchurch to honour those killed and injured in the Christchurch mosque terror attack two years ago. Speaking alongside Dame Patsy, PM Jacinda Ardern and…

Inzone boarders live close by to Government House Auckland and today's afternoon tea for senior students was a great opportunity to hear about the wonderful opportunities the programme offers to Maori and Pasifika students to access education and explore…

Despite the demands placed on the leadership of public and private sector leaders in the Aotearoa Circle, they have continued their vital work to transform the way New Zealanders live their lives and do business, with the goal of creating a sustainable…

Congratulations to the Graeme Dingle Foundation who celebrated 25 years of empowering our tamariki and rangatahi to have the bright futures they deserve. More than 300,000 young people's lives have been touched by the work of the Foundation and guests…

Congratulations to the three Sir George Elliot Tertiary Scholarship winners who were officially acknowledged at Government House in Auckland this morning. Tess Connolly, Tristan Mona and Madeleine France received news of their selection last year but the…

Dame Patsy and Sir David visited the Auckland Art Fair this morning. A showcase for dealer galleries and artists, the Fair also offers opportunities for art lovers of all kinds to view one of a kind artworks, attend artist talks and even try some creative…

Today Dame Patsy went to Christchurch to attend the ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the earthquake that wrought massive destruction in Christchurch and the Canterbury region. The assembled crowd honoured the memory of the 185 people who lost…

Day two of the visit to Southland began at the Eastern Southland Gallery in Gore, home of the extraordinary John Money Collection of African sculptures, Aboriginal paintings and objects, and works by Rita Angus. Dame Patsy and Sir David also saw some of…

The visit to Riverton had particular significance as Dame Patsy had recently learned of the slight to the community by Governor James Fergusson in 1874. The Governor had decided to change his itinerary and thereby arrived several hours late for a civic…

At the wharf at Oban, there was a quick check of our luggage by ace rat-detecting dog, Detector Gadget before we boarded the Department of Conservation vessel taking us to Ulva Island, a predator-free sanctuary for endangered flora and fauna. On the…

Due to the restrictions on gatherings under Alert Level Two, a scheduled powhiri for Dame Patsy and Sir David at Te Rau Aroha marae in Bluff was cancelled and will be re-scheduled at a later date. Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Stirling Point to see the…

Despite the blustery weather at Karori Cricket Club, it was a great afternoon for the annual Governor-General’s XI v NZ Māori Schools cricket match. This year, the captains presented Dame Patsy with signed cricket bats as a memento of the day. The two-day…

This evening Dame Patsy hosted a reception for Dress for Success, which works to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing professional work clothing, career development tools and a support network. Two Dress for Success clients shared…

This morning Dame Patsy hosted a high tea in the ballroom at Government House in Wellington to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mary Potter Hospice Camellia Heritage Club. The Club was formed to thank and recognise those who have promised a gift in…

This year's Waitangi Day Garden Reception was smaller than in other years, but certainly made up for it in terms of a warm sense of community and fellowship. The nearly 500 guests included MPs, four local mayors, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, former…

For the final event during her visit to Waitangi, Dame Patsy inspected the Guard of Honour at the 2021 Beat Retreat Sunset ceremony, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Navy. She was greeted on arrival by Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor. Along with…

Dame Patsy and Sir David began their final day at Waitangi by attending a meeting of the Waitangi National Trust Board. While they were there they were able to have a quick viewing of the He Kaupapa Waka exhibition. Later it was off to Russell for the…

On February 4, Dame Patsy was welcomed on to Te Whare Rūnanga at Waitangi Treaty Grounds for the final time as Governor-General. She was greeted with a stirring pōwhiri while being guided to the mahau by Titewhai Harawira. The speakers included veteran…

This evening Dame Patsy was welcomed aboard the HMNZS Otago for a reception as part of the Waitangi celebrations in Northland. She was greeted on arrival by part of the ship’s company and saw a performance from the Navy’s kapa haka group. Chief of Navy RA…

On the 3rd of February Dame Patsy attended the unveiling ceremony of a memorial for the 12 British soldiers, sailors and Royal Marines killed at the Battle of Te Ruapekapeka in 1846. The battle was the final of the Northern Wars, fought between around 400…