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Congratulations to New Zealand's newest theatrical knight, Sir Roger Hall and the 12 other New Zealanders who were recognised at Government House in Auckland for their contributions to ballet, health,mental health awareness and suicide prevention,…

Contributions to the arts and conservation was a strong theme at this morning's investiture ceremony, along with services to Maori, the community, counselling, palliative care and equestrian sports. Congratulations to Dame Fran Walsh and the twelve…

Congratulations to the 11 New Zealanders, recognised for their contribution to social policy, Māori, psychiatry, the New Zealand Defence Force, women, the State, woodturning, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, art and governance and Māori art at this…

Yesterday Dame Patsy visited the Suffrage in Stitches exhibition at Wellington Museum. The exhibition consists of panels depicting a personal response to particular women who signed the suffrage petition in 1893. Hundreds of people responded to the…

This morning we were fortunate to have clear skies for the official welcome for new diplomatic envoys at Government House. HE Mr Sudesh Maniar, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore, HE Mr Stefan Krawielicki, the Ambassador of the Federal…

Children were front and centre at a reception celebrating 25 years of the Duffy Books in Homes programme. Stemming from an encounter author Alan Duff had with a group of children who didn't own books, Duffy Books in Homes will give out it's 13 millionth…

Last night Dame Patsy hosted Foundation North's inaugural Tohu Autaia - Community Stars- at Government House Auckland. Foundation North has established the awards as a way of celebrating a billion dollars returned to communities in Auckland and Northland…

This morning Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted Gandhi Nivas staff, counsellors, researchers and Police liaison at Government House Auckland. Gandhi Nivas offers early intervention programmes to prevent the escalation of family violence, working on the…

This morning Dame Patsy was the first member of the SPCA's new Giving Hearts legacy programme to have the privilege of naming a rescue animal - in this case, a foxy-chihuahua cross - which she named Coco after her own dog. The SPCA receives approximately…

Today we welcomed year 13 students from secondary schools in the Auckland region who had spent the rest of the day as guests of On Being Bold, a network of high-achieving women. On Being Bold's goal is to empower women to develop their potential,…

The Malvina Major Foundation assists emerging talent in New Zealand through an emerging artists programme, in partnership with NZ Opera; a Young Artist or Fellowship programme, which offers more experienced singers a principal role in a New Zealand Opera…

The centenary of Colin McCahon's birth is being marked by a series of events around New Zealand. Government House's reception last night was held 100 years to the day of his birth, and we were privileged to have three of his works on display. In addition…

On 1 August, 1987, te Reo Maori became an official language of New Zealand. Today, 32 years later, Dame Patsy officially launched Te Wiki o te Reo Maori 2019 at the Wharewaka on Wellington's waterfront. Dame Patsy joined Pere Wihongi as Ambassadors for …

It was Rotorua's chance to shine with a stunning welcome at Te Papaiouru Marae. A particular highlight was the magnificent performances of the Rotorua Girls' and Boys' High School kapa haka group. A tour of the carving and weaving schools at the New…

Dame Patsy was welcomed at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in Whakatane this morning, where she got to grips with robotics in the Robopa, before seeing some demonstrations of the cutting edge tech being used to train nursing students. The demos at the…

The weather and the welcome couldn't have been warmer in Tauranga as Dame Patsy and Sir David began a four day visit to the Bay of Plenty region. The powhiri for Dame Patsy took place at Huria Marae, which had speacial meaning for her due to her work as…

On Wednesday night this week, the Himalayan Trust hosted a gala dinner to mark the centenary of Sir Edmund Hillary's birth. The Trust was founded by Sir Ed in the 1960s and has focussed on providing education, health care and infrastructure to remote…

Dame Patsy has supported Te Te Huringa o Te Tai o Nga Wahine, a programme for Maori girls in Otara, for the last three years, but this is the first time the girls, the volunteers, committee members and Police mentors have come to Government House. Today's…

Last night's reception for NZ On Air celebrated its role in bringing New Zealand culture to our screens and airwaves over the last 30 years. A montage of television programmes and films reminded us of the huge range of content that their unique funding…

Dame Patsy visited GridAKL in the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct this afternoon to see how ATEED, Auckland's economic development agency is facilitating innovation, sustainability measures, and start-ups.  We saw how the shared spaces of start-ups…

Dame Patsy has had a couple of opportunities to meet some of our most talented rangatahi during the school holidays. Last week, she caught up with the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir and this morning she opened Youth Parliamant 2019. NZ Secondary…

Leaders of public sector agencies, NGOs and the private sector have come together as partners to form the Aotearoa Circle, which will address critical sustainability issues in Aotearoa New Zealand.  It's an exciting opportunity to combine cross-sector…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted the members of the Halberg Foundation Youth Council at a morning tea at Government House in Wellington. The ten-member Council is a voice for youth with physical disabilites and were in Wellington for meetings and training…

Three inspiring speakers, expressing three very different perspectives on the topics of diversity and inclusion captivated tonight's guests at a dinner in celebration of diversity in 21st century New Zealand. Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt reflected…

Dame Patsy officiated at the swearing-in of new Minister, Hon Poto Williams at Government House in Wellington. Minister Williams is the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and is also Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration,…

"I stand as one. I come as many" was the refrain in presentations about the impact of global warming in the Pacific at the KiMuaNZ reception this evening. Young men and women, some from Aotearoa, but mainly from other Pacific Islands (Tonga, the Cook…

Dame Patsy was on ribbon-cutting duties at the new Dark Sky Experience attraction in Takapō. A joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and astrotourism pioneers Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa, the experience combines the science of the night skies with…

Rugby players taking part in the 93rd Quadrangular Tournament visited Government House today. Wellington College, Wanganui Collegiate, Nelson College and Christ's College First XV teams take part in the tournament every year, and when it is staged in…

Okains Bay Museum is located in a remote bay on Banks Peninsula. It was developed over many years by a keen collector of Maori and colonial artefacts, Murray Thacker. The Museum is now administered by a Trust, with the goal of curating the collection in…

This morning Dame Patsy received a warm welcome at the Linwood Islamic Centre, where she met members of Christchurch's Muslim community. She expressed her sincere condolences for their loss, and welcomed the opportunity to hear how local families are …

Three new diplomatic envoys presented their credentials to Dame Patsy this morning: HE Mr Mark Holowesko, the High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; HE Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, the Apostolic Nuncio; and HE Professor Joyce Kakuramatsi…

We're heading into the busiest part of the year and the Governor-General's diary is looking very full. Regrettably we cannot accept any more invitations for June, July, August and September 2019. Find out more about hosting or being hosted by the Governor…