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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…

Thousands of Wellingtonians attended the Vigil For Christchurch at the Basin Reserve this evening. There were tears as people spoke of their feelings of loss and devastation and cheers as others spoke of what they would like to see happen to prevent…

Her Majesty The Queen has sent a message of condolence to the people of New Zealand following the terrorist attack on the Christchurch mosques. Message from HM The Queen

HRH The Prince of Wales has sent a message of condolence to the people of New Zealand following the terrorist attacks on the Christchurch mosques. Message from HRH The Prince of Wales Image of Prince Charles arriving at Government House

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives in the devastating attack in Christchurch. We have all been fortunate to spend time in Christchurch and have felt the warm, open-hearted and generous spirit that is core to…

Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General shared the following message on the secretariat's website following the Christchurch mosque shootings:  On behalf of the Commonwealth family I convey my deepest sympathy to the people of New Zealand and to…

Message from the Governor of New South Wales and Governor-General Designate of Australia, General The Hon David Hurley. " Your Excellency, On behalf of the people of New South Wales, I write to express my sincere condolences over the tragic events that…

Today’s tragic events in Christchurch have shocked all New Zealanders. Our hearts go out to the people of Christchurch, especially the people directly affected by this afternoon’s terrible violence. Our thoughts are with them, their families and friends.…

Dame Patsy and Sir David visited the Auckland Bioengineering Institute to find out more about the cutting-edge research being undertaken there. The Institute applies engineering sciences and technical innovation to medicine and human physiology. The…

Commonwealth diversity and Commonwealth connections were celebrated in a wonderful gathering in the Beehive Banquet Hall this evening. Dame Patsy delivered the Commonwealth Message from HM Queen Elizabeth: Commonwealth Day has a special significance this…

At Government House's morning tea on International Women's Day, three women spoke about what the day means to them: Vanessa Stoddart, Global Women Chair; Dr Hiria Hape, Kuia at Government House for many years; and Michelle Huang, who spoke about what it…

Last Friday Dame Patsy formally opened a stunning new sports complex at Dilworth School's junior campus. The opening took place on Founders Day, when the school remembers the extraordinary generosity of the school's 19th century founders, James and…

Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the inaugural NZ Maori Secondary Schools' XI vs Governor-General's XI cricket match at Karori Park in Wellington. The Maori schoolboy team is a new venture for New Zealand cricket and is a chance for aspiring Maori…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a farewell dinner for the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, Chief Justice of New Zealand at Government House in Wellington. Dame Sian is retiring after nearly 20 years as head of New Zealand's judiciary.  Guests at the dinner…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hung out with people wearing some rather crazy, enormous hats at the opening of Performance Arcade 2019 last Thursday night. The Performace Arcade is an annual event that brings performance, art and performance art to Wellington's…

Dame Patsy officially opened the 2019 Auckland Lantern Festival at The Domain in Auckland last night. The Festival celebrates its 20th year this year and is the largest outside of mainland China. After declaring the Festival open, Dame Patsy and Sir David…

This week Dame Patsy has presented Mentioned in Despatches Awards to veterans of the Vietnam War, to family members, or to friends of deceased recipients. Mentioned in Despatches Awards were given in recognition of gallantry and high levels of service.…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted around 2000 people at Government House's Waitangi Day commemorations this afternoon. They were entertained by Te Whare Kura o Nga Mokopuna, the Beat Girls, and NZ Opera Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists Pasquale Orchard,…

Dame Patsy and Sir David began Waitangi Day 2019 at Onuku Marae near Akaroa. It was Dame Patsy's first Waitangi Day in the South Island and while the weather was unexpectedly chilly, the welcome from Ngai Tahu was warm. Dame Patsy was loaned a beautiful…

Last night Dame Patsy and Sir David were guests at a reception on HMNZS Wellington where they met people from Northland, naval personnel and guests from around New Zealand. Image Gallery