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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

Diplomats accredited to New Zealand are currently in Northland on a tour related to the history of nationhood in New Zealand, dating from the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840. Today Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a lunch for them and their…

The annual Beat Retreat ceremony at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds this evening commemorated longstanding naval connections with Waitangi. It was perfect weather for the crowd to witness marching by the Guard of Honour, the precision movements of the navy…

One of Northland's favourite sons, Sir Hec Busby, received his knighthood from Dame Patsy today in front of a huge crowd of well-wishers at the Treaty Grounds in Waitangi. Sir Hec was recognised for reviving the tradition of building waka hourua,…

This morning, Dame Patsy received the credentials of the High Commissioner of the Cook Islands, HE Mrs Elizabeth Foster Wright-Koteka; the High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia, HE Mr Frank Francis Bwalya; the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi…

This afternoon Dame Patsy received the credentials of the Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic, HE Mr Milad Raad; the Ambassador of Iceland, HE Mrs Kristin Arnadottir; and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, HE Mr Paul Gulleik Larsen. Image Gallery

Dame Patsy and Sir David spent yesterday afternoon at Papakura Military Camp with the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment, learning more about the Regiment’s history and culture. Their Excellencies also visited the camp’s memorial area and chapel…

Government House Auckland was gifted to the Queen for the use of Governors-General by Sir Frank and Lady Mappin, who were noted horticulturalists and philanthropists. The grounds that they created, a garden of national significance, needed to be protected…

Governor Hobson provided a naval guardship for the first Auckland regatta, and every year since, the Royal New Zealand Navy has kept  up that tradition for the Auckland Anniversary Day regatta. Today, Dame Patsy and Sir David joined the crew and guests on…

Today Dame Patsy received a call from new Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor and wife Wendy Proctor. Coco came along to supervise proceedings and was happy to join in the photo along with Sir David, the Chief of Navy's Flag Lieutenant Caitlin…

Dame Patsy and Sir David were given a special tour of the new Wildbase Recovery facility in Palmerston North. The facility, which is in it's commissioning phase, is will be a rehabilitation centre for some of the many New Zealand birds operated on at…

Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the final concert of the NZ Opera School's 2019 season. The concert, "Great Opera Moments 2019) featured 20 up and coming New Zealand singers who were specially chosen to study with international tutors. After the concert…

Happy New Year, New Zealand! Dame Patsy wishes you all the best for a brighter, more sustainable 2019.

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a function for people and organisations who have had a role in the running of Government House in Auckland over the last year. Guests ranged from electricians and security specialists to cleaning company staff, art experts…