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Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception for State Services Commission Crown Entity Board Chairs at Government House in Wellington this evening. Crown entities include an incredibly wide range of New Zealand institutions from universities and health…

Today, Dame Patsy and Sir David watched the Governor-General’s XI versus the NZ Māori Schoolboys and Schoolgirls at the Karori Cricket Club in Wellington. This is the second year the Governor-General’s XI has played the NZ Māori Schoolboys. As last years…

This evening, Dame Patsy hosted a reception for the Downtown Community Ministry’s 50th Birthday. DCM has been a safe, supportive environment for rough sleepers in Wellington since 1969, providing essential services like mental health and medical care,…

While visitors to Government House Wellington are treated to familiar sites like the ballroom or the reflection pool, a wander off the beaten track can uncover something unexpected. Click through to see some of our lesser-known areas. More photos Image of…

Dame Patsy hosted a networking reception for SheEO at Government House in Auckland. SheEO is a women-led inititative that raises investment capital and distributes it to women-led businesses in the form of interest-free loans.  Five ventures are chosen a…

Today Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the ceremony to mark the return of Pūkaha Reserve to Rangitāne, as part of the iwi's Treaty of Waitangi settlement. As representative of the Queen of New Zealand, Dame Patsy spoke about the beginning of a new…

Following Dame Patsy's Waitangi Day address, MC Ward Kamo made a few observations about Waitangi Day. Here's what he said: On this day 180 years ago, one of the founding documents of this nation, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. I want to take a moment…

  Image of the Waitangi Day 2020 message from HM Queen Elizabeth

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception for around 1800 New Zealanders at Government House in Wellington. The sun shone and the sun screen tent was kept busy. The Government House chefs offered up a showcase of our best food and drink and guests were…

A very eventful day, beginning with the opening of Te Rau Aroha - the gift of love-a new museum on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It is dedicated to the story of Maori service in armed conflict since 1840, in New Zealand and overseas. Cutting the ribbon was…

Today Dame Patsy and Sir David attended a promotion ceremony for 17 cadets of the Leadership Academy of 'A' Company, an educational institution in Whangarei. All the young men are affiliated with the men who served in 'A' Company of 28 (Maori) Battalion…

It was a perfect still morning at Waitangi Treaty Grounds when Dame Patsy and Sir David were welcomed back to Waitangi with a very moving powhiri. They were accompanied by Sir John Clarke as Kaumatua and Dr Hiria Hape as Kuia. The tangata whenua speakers…

Yesterday Dame Patsy received the diplomatic credentials of new Heads of Mission: HE Ms Nina Obermaier, Ambassador of the European Union; HE Dr Mohammad Reza Mofatteh, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran; HE Dr Abdulla Mausoom, Ambassador of the…

Dame Patsy officiated at a special investiture for Roy Cowley, who received the insignia of an MNZM for his services to charity governance and the arts. Roy volunteered in governance roles for charity and the arts community in Wellington for more than 30…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a reception to mark the successful completion of the Pacifica Mamas' Matairangi Mahi Toi arts residency. On display was the magnificent ei (garland) and harakeke installation the Mamas worked on during their time at…

Government House's Kaumatua, Professor Piri Sciascia died last Saturday morning. Dame Patsy joined the Prime Minister at his tangi on Monday, and today at his funeral in Porangahau. During his time at Government House Piri was responsible for introducing …

Dame Patsy sent this message to the participants at the World Holocaust Forum Conference 2020 taking place at Yad Vashem on 23 January, Remembering the Holocaust and Fighting Antisemitism, As your conference on “Remembering the Holocaust and Fighting…

Dame Patsy travelled to Maungapohatu, a remote Tuhoe settlement in the Ureweras, where she gave Royal Assent to the Rua Kenana Pardon Bill, which in addition to pardoning Rua Kenana, also conveyed an apology from the Crown. Rua Kenana was a religious…

The ballot invitations for next year's Waitangi Day garden reception were posted today (20 December) Waitangi Day 2020 information

'Come a little bit closer" Dame Patsy urged. There's no point in giving a speech thanking everyone for their help over the year if everyone's way down the back of the ballroom! One of the last functions for 2019 was a thank you to the many organisations…

The weather was ideal for Dame Patsy's visit to Government House Auckland's next door neighbour Eden Garden. Once a quarry, thanks to the efforts of the Eden Garden Society and a host of volunteers the site is now a magnificent garden featuring some…

Dame Patsy visited the flotilla taking part in the Tuia 250 Voyage when they berthed in Welington Harbour. See more images Image of the replica 'Endeavour'

The Sir George Elliot Scholarships for tertiary study are awarded to high-achieving students who have overcome challenging personal circumstances. This year's recipients are Zahra Habibi, of Mangere College, who arrived as a non English-speaking refugee…

Last night Dame Patsy spoke at the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards and presented the Supreme Award to Little Yellow Bird, which supplies corporate uniforms and ethical clothes to businesses, while providing ethical employment and education…

The SPCA has an impressive brand new centre in Hobsonville, purpose-built to serve the needs of the organisation and their animal charges. It is also intended to be self-supporting, with a Doggy Day-care centre and Veterinary services in the same building…

Dame Patsy hosted a moving service at Government House in Auckland to mark the 40th anniversary of the Erebus accident. There were muffled sobs from assembled family members of the 257 people killed in the accident as the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern…

mage of Dame Patsy's favourite 'St. Matthew: lightening' There was an arty undertone to Dame Patsy's stay in Auckland this week. First stop was Auckland Art Gallery for the exhibition "A Place to Paint: Colin McCahon in Auckland" More images Later that…

TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were officially welcomed to New Zealand with a ceremony at Government House in Auckland. The Duchess of Cornwall returned in the afternoon for a reception for the global movement Women of the World. The…

Today Dame Patsy hosted the Rhodes Scholarship committee meeting and candidate interviews at Government House in Wellington. There were 8 candidates and Dame Patsy said the committee was impressed by their enthusiasm and ability. The three Rhodes Scholars…

This morning Dame Patsy hosted a high tea for the Wellington Down Syndrome Association's annual Frances Clarke Memorial Awards,  which recognise and encourage the special achievements of people born with Down syndrome in the greater Wellington region.…