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Dame Patsy and Sir David attended a celebration at the Katherine Mansfield House and Garden marking 30 years since the opening of the House as a museum and the 130th anniversary of Katherine Mansfield's birth. Dame Patsy had the honour of announcing that…

56 Queen's Scout Award winners came together for an official photo with Dame Patsy and Sir David at today's ceremony at Government House. Congratulations to the recipients and to their proud parents and whanau who were their to witness their children's…

Netballer Tracey Fear, ONZM and historian and novelist Dr Deborah Challinor, MNZM, were among the 12 recipients who received honours at Government House Auckland this morning. Image Gallery

Congratulations to Sir John Rowles who receved the insignia of a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit at Government House in Auckland today. Sir John was honoured for services to entertainment and was one of 12 New Zealanders who were…

This afternoon twelve deserving honour recipients were presented with their insignia for outstanding services to tourism, business, Maori, health, conservation, music, equestrian sport, children and art, the horse racing industry, the Japanese community,…

Yachtsmen Peter Burling and Blair Tuke and our newest Dame, Emeritus Professor Dame Charmian O'Connor were among the 13 New Zealanders who were honoured for their contributions in education, chemistry, children's health, sailing, contemporary dance,…

Hip-hop pioneer DJ Sir-Vere and Black Fern Fiaoo Faamausili were amongst those acknowledged for their acheivements at Government House in Auckland today . Congratulations to all today's recipients. Investiture images Image of Philip Bell - DJ Sir-Vere -…

The outstanding achievements, service and contributions of twelve people were recognised at this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House Auckland, including Robert Kerridge, ONZM, long associated with the promotion of animal welfare; Geoffrey…

Congratulations to the 12 amazing New Zealand women who received the insignia of their orders today at a special ceremony celebrating Suffrage 125 at Government House in Auckland. The Topp twins and singer Jackie Clark were honoured for their services to…

This afternoon Dame Patsy officially opened the 2018 Halberg Games, where 150 physically disabled and visually impaired young athletes have come together from around New Zealand to compete in 20 different sports. The Games will finish on Sunday. Speech…

*** Update 8 October: The ballot has now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered. We'll let everyone know whether they've been successful or not by November 1st. *** There are only a few days left to enter the ballot for invitations to next year's Waitangi…

Pacific Island leader Dame Winnie Laban, and Flying Nun records founder Roger Shepherd were amongst the 16 New Zealanders honoured for their work and community service this morning at Government House in Wellington. Image gallery Image of Dame Winnie…

The final investiture ceremony for the week included honours for media personalities Richard Griffin and Grant Nisbett, and recognition for services to swimming, lifesaving, conservation, poetry and literature, musical play therapy, Maori and education,…

Last Saturday night, New Zealand designers gathered to honour their peers at the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards. Dame Patsy presented the top award, the John Britten Black Pin to Rik Campbell and Steve Le Marquand, whose digital…

Representatives from our fire and emergency, police and defence force communities were amongst the 15 New Zealanders recognised for their service at this morning's investiture in Wellington. Michael Riley was also recognised for an act of exceptional…

Sir William English was knighted this morning at Government House in Wellington. He was one of 15 New Zealanders who received their insignia from Dame Patsy. Congratulations to all this morning's recipients! Image gallery Image of Sir William English and…

The film, television, theatre and fashion worlds were well represented at this afternoon's investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington. Film and television producers Larry Parr and Ainsley Gardiner, playwright and scriptwriter Briar Grace-Smith…

This evening 16 New Zealand women received their insignia from Dame Patsy at an investiture at Government House in Wellington. The all-women ceremony was held to acknowledge the acheivements of women in the 125 years since women's suffrage was granted.…

There's a lot more to art crime than just stealing paintings. Looting, forgery, war crimes and the murky details of provenance were all on the agenda at ArtCrime2018:The Symposium in Wellington today. Dame Patsy opened the symposium and stayed on for the…

Yesterday marked 125 years since the passing of the Electoral Act 1893, which enabled women to vote in Parliamentary elections for the first time.  To celebrate that victory, and New Zealand's pioneering role in women's suffrage, Dame Patsy hosted a…

This week we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of the passing of legislation which enabled New Zealand women to vote in Parliamentary elections. New Zealand led the world in this ground-breaking constitutional change, and in 1993, to mark the…

It was a case of hello and goodbye today at Government House. Coco watched on as Dame Patsy and Sir David welcomed the latest Matairangi Mahi Toi - Massey Artist in Residence to Government House. Horomona Horo is a Taonga Puoro composer and practitioner,…

Dress up was the theme for the Dress for Success Wellington reception, hosted by Dame Patsy at Government House in Wellington. Committed to empowering women find success, Dress For Success provides women with clothing and development tools to help them…

Last night, Dame Patsy congratulated the New Zealand Olympic Committee for promoting leadership roles for women in New Zealand sports organisations. Seventeen of the first intake of the NZOC's Women's Sport Leadership Academy were presented with…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Young Science Leaders Forum in association with the Eureka! Awards at Government House in Wellington. The young science leaders attending were challenged to examine a significant issue facing…

Last night Dame Patsy hosted a reception for members of the Consular Corps in Auckland. Image Gallery

We gained a new appreciation of St John's work today during our visit tuo its Auckland Headquarters. The call-centre staff have to respond calmly and clearly to people who are distressed, injured or ill, and the dispatchers have to monitor operations…

Governors-General have a long association with the Northern Club and today Dame Patsy and Sir David were invited to a lunch where Dame Patsy spoke about her goals during her term of office and answered questions about our constitutional arrangements.…

This is the 27th year of the Wallace Art Awards, and it's bigger than ever, attracting over 400 entries. The finalists' works are currently on display at Pah Homestead in Auckland, the home of the Wallace Arts Trust, and will then travel to selected…

Winners of the 2018 White Camellia Awards this evening were Westpac, ANZ, Sovereign and Ebborn Law. We were inspired by the determination and enthusiasm of the representatives from these organisations, and hope other organisations will follow their…

Dame Patsy made two visits to Christchurch this week. On Thursday, she visited Burnside High School in Christchurch for a tour of their art department and a chance to met the young people involved with 'Into Motion', a student initiative bringing together…

Yesterday Dame Patsy and Sir David paid a visit to Kaibosh Food Rescue, which collects and distributes food to over 65 charities around Wellington. The organisation's mantra of 'Zero Waste, Zero Poverty' is eliminating needless waste, providing nutritious…