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Dame Patsy spoke at and presented the prizes at the New Zealand School's Debating Championships Grand Final at Parliament today. Wellington Black and Auckland Blue were the finalists and the moot was "That this house will only allow female lawmakers to…

Congratulations to the recipients who received their insignia at Government House in Auckland today. Recipients included Jennifer Ward-Lealand for services to theatre, film and television; our Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh for services to poetry,…

Today there were two investiture ceremonies at Government House Auckland. The first was for The Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann, the Chief Justice of New Zealand. Dame Helen will be Administrator for the Government when Dame Patsy is unable to perform her…

Yesterday, Dame Patsy and Sir David attended two of Auckland Grammar's 27 events to mark the school's first 150 years. At a special assembly, Dame Patsy noted the long-standing association with the office of Governor and Governor-General, beginning with…

Congratulations to all today's recipients for their work in human rights, design and business, rugby and rugby league, the LGBTIQ+ community, fashion, Cook Islands art and culture, athletics, and education. 

Today it seemed like all the students at St Cuthbert's turned out to welcome Dame Patsy when she arrived at the school. The younger students waved flags that they had made to symbolise love and diversity, the senior girls performed a haka, and then Dame…

Two more investiture ceremonies were held at Government House today. The morning saw  the arts, sport and science mix together with Dame Gaylene Preston, Dan Carter, Lydia Ko, Barbara Kendall and Glen Ashby receiving their insignia. The afternoon saw…

Two knighthoods were conferred at today's ceremonies at Government House Auckland. Sir Stephen Tindall's knighthood was elevated to a GNZM and Sir Rob McLeod received his KNZM for services to business and Maori. Carmel Fisher, of Fisher Funds Management…

Congratulations to the 17 New Zealanders who received their insignia at an investiture at Government House in Wellington this morning Image gallery Scroll down to view video  Image of recipients with Dame Patsy and Sir David

Congratulations to the 17 New Zealanders recognised at Government House today for their contributions to Maori carving and bone art, business,environmental resource management, conservation, basketball, science education, tourism and heritage preservation…

17 New Zealanders received the insignia  this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington. Amongst the recipients - Sir Kim Workman for services to prisoner welfare and the justice sector; Terry McTavish of Dunedin for services to…

Outstanding contributions to areas as diverse as health, documentary film-making, science, history, refugee communities, optometry, conservation, water management, karate, and the arts and broadcasting were recognised at this morning's investiture…

The 12 recipients at this morning's investiture ceremony included retired Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Timothy Keating, CNZM, and Fire Service, Police, Defence and Coastguard personnel. Vivien Leachman received the insignia for the late Mr Andrew…

Our first investiture ceremony for 17 recipients of New Year Honours was held at Government House this morning. They included New Zealand's longest serving mayor, Sir Tim Shadbolt, KNZM; Professor Peter Crampton, CNZM of Dunedin, acknowledged for his…

Dame Patsy began Anzac Day by giving the Anzac Address at the Dawn Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial. She also laid a wreath alongside HE the Hon Patricia Forsythe, High Commissioner of Australia and He Ahmet Ergin, the Ambassador of the Republic…

Today we had perfect autumn weather for the powhiri and military parade associated with our credentials ceremonies. This morning Dame Patsy received the credentials of new Heads of Diplomatic Mission to New Zealand: HE Mr Javier Augusto Prado Miranda,…

On Thursday Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Te Papa for the Terrcotta warriors exhibition. They were also lucky enough to visit Te Papa's stacks and see some of the treasures stored there. Image of Te Papa Head of Art, Charlotte Davy escorting Dame Patsy…

This afternoon, Dame Patsy hosted a reception for the Child Cancer Foundation, to honour Pat Wilkes with a Life Membership of the Foundation, in recognition of twenty years of selfless service to young cancer patients and their families. Speech transcript…

Dame Patsy and Sir David spent a couple of days in the Southern Lakes last week. The focus of their visit was innovation in the arts, tourism and sustainability. Day One saw the Dame Patsy attending the Festival of Colour. Based in Wanaka,with satellite…

Before the National Remembrance Ceremony yesterday, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a breakfast  for the Australian official delegation, the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove; Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Mrs Jennifer Morrison;…

Two weeks after a terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, where 50 worshippers lost their lives and many more were injured, today's National Remembrance Service brought together the wounded and survivors of the attack, along with citizens of…

Dame Patsy and Sir David received a farewell call from the Ambassador of Iran, HE Mr Jalaladdin Namini Mianji and Mrs Fatemeh Namini Mianji at Government House in Wellington.

Dame Patsy has received numerous letters and messages from Heads of State, foreign dignitaries and organisations in the days following the Christchurch shootings. Here is a selection for you to read. Messages 1 Messages 2 Messages 3 Messages 4 Snapshot of…

This morning, Dame Patsy and Sir David welcomed HM King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga and HM Queen Nanasipau'u. Their Majesties are making an official visit to New Zealand. The Royal couple were not deterred by the blustery Wellington weather, which…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a dinner on the Norrie Dining Room for His Majesty King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u. Both Dame Patsy and the King spoke of New Zealand's close relationship with Tonga and the…

HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan called on Dame Patsy to offer the condolences of the people of Jordan to New Zealanders in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings. The Prince, who was accompanied by his daughter HRH Princess Rahma bint El…

This afternoon, one week after the killing of 50 worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealanders gathered in our towns and cities to observe two minutes' silence. For that moment, Dame Patsy and Sir David chose to be with 1500 school students…

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence is Vice President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is responsible for caring for the war graves of Commonwealth service personnel from the First and Second World Wars. During a visit to New Zealand, Sir Tim…

Dame Patsy and Sir David travelled to Christchurch to pay their respects following the Christchurch mosque shootings. Dame Patsy's first meeting was with the Vice President of the Republic of Turkey, HE Fuat Oktay and Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt…

The second day of Dame Patsy's visit to Christchurch began with a meeting with the Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre. A more somber experience than Dame Patsy's last visit to the Centre, the meeting was a chance for members to talk about…

Dame Patsy has received a telephone call from King Abdullah of Jordan.  He expressed his deepest sympathy and his strong support for NZ and NZers. He offered whatever assistance we need to deal with the tragedy.  He fondly remembers his recent visit to NZ…

This afternoon Dame Patsy and Sir David visited Kilbirnie Mosque. Dame Patsy added flowers to the many hundreds of floral tributes already in place and met with Tahir Nawaz, President of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand and other…