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On Sunday 8 October, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted a 30th birthday celebration for the New Zealand String Quartet at Government House in Wellington.   NZSQ's 30th anniversary reception  

Dame Patsy was delighted to host the Frances Clarke Awards at Government House for the second time since her term began. The awards, organised by the Wellington Down Syndrome Asociation, recognise and encourage achievement by people with Down Syndrome.…

Dame Patsy wishes to acknowledge the passing of kaumatua Lewis Moeau, QSO who was an advisor to former Governors-General Sir Anand Satyanand and Sir Jerry Mateparae. Lewis's wise counsel and gentle manner were greatly appreciated by Sir Anand and Sir…

Today was a busy one for Dame Patsy and Sir David with a quick trip to Auckland to open the Halberg Disability Junior Games then back to Wellington to host an award ceremony for St John. Congratulations to the 90 cadets from all around New Zealand who…

This afternoon Dame Patsy presented awards to 26 Winston Churchill Fellows at Government House. Speech transcript Image gallery  

This morning Dame Patsy was a speaker at a Waikato Women in Leadership event at Waikato University, where she spoke about gender equity and answered questions from the floor. Speech transcript Image gallery

On Thursday 28 September, Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the Kudos Awards Dinner in Hamilton. The Awards acknowledge excellence in science in the Waikato region. Dame Patsy presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to earth scientist Professor Peter…

On Friday 29 September, Dame Patsy visited the school where she spent her secondary school years - Hamilton Girls High School. Dame Patsy addressed an assembly and also took the opportunity to answer questions about her role from staff and students.…

This evening, Dame Patsy and Sir David are hosting senior members of the judiciary, including the Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias. Speech transcript Image gallery

On Thursday 28 September, Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the Maori Women's Welfare League Conference in New Plymouth. Dame Patsy addressed the delegates, acknowledging their leadership in their communities. Speech transcript Image gallery

Coco was much in evidence this week at Government House, photobombing a photo of Dame Patsy meeting Warrant Officers from Tonga, Fiji, Singapore and Australia and also making an appearance during the morning tea with Government House artist in residence…

On Saturday 16 September, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted the planting of two Pennantia baylisiana trees at Government House in Auckland. The tree planting was part of Mayor Phil Goff's Million Trees initiative which will see 1 million native trees…

Dame Patsy and Sir David visited three patronages today - discovering more about the world-leading research being undertaken at the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research; being taken on a behind the scenes tour of Auckland Art Gallery and…

All Blacks, Black Ferns and police were the thing today with an All Blacks skills and drills session being held at Government House and a trip to Counties Manukau to find out how police are reducing family harm and youth crime in their district. All…

Last night Dame Patsy and Sir David addressed the meeting of delegates from 13 member ACAP nations and observors from range nations. New Zealand is considered to be the seabird capital of the world, but also has the most endangered species. ACAP seeks to…

Dame Patsy and Sir David are spending the rest of this week in Auckland. First up, a visit to one of Dame Patsy's patronages, the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Later on, Dame Patsy talked about her life and career at a Women In Law forum and reception at…

With less than two weeks until the General Election, this is a good opportunity to outline the constitutional role played by a Governor-General, before and after an election. Dame Patsy's role The video link below illustrates some of those processes in…

Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards at Government House on Friday 8 September, 2017. Congratulations to Neakiry Kivi, winner of the Premier Award and Cassandra Spearin, George Mander and Hana Te Puni who were highly…

This morning we visited a close neighbour of Government House, St Mark's School, to help them celebrate 100 years to the day since the school opened. The school has had a close relationship with Government House over the years. We wish them all the best…

Yesterday Dame Patsy and Sir David were given a brief tour of the Len Lye Centre at the Govett-Brewster Gallery in New Plymouth. The extraordinary building is a fitting tribute to the remarkable innovation and creative spirit of Len Lye, and a wonderful…

This afternoon Dame Patsy and Sir David visited the renowned gardens at Pukeiti to formally open the Rainforest Centre, where visitors can learn about the history of the gardens and walk along  elevated walkways into the rainforest. The gardens have an…

On Thursday night, Dame Patsy presented Helen Clark with the Lifetime Acheivement award at the 2017 Women of Influence Awards in Auckland. More photos Dame Patsy's speech  

This afternoon, Dame Patsy received the credentials of three Ambassadors: HE Mr Marc Mullie, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium; Mr Mirza Hajric, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and HE Mr Wahidullah Waissi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic…

Dame Patsy presented Hon Jim Anderton with the insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services as a Member of Parliament at a special ceremony in Christchurch yesterday. A small group of family and friends was on hand to see the…

Tonight Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the opening of The Corsini Collection: A Window on Renaissance Florence at the Auckland Art Gallery. This stunning exhibition of art from the private collection of the Corsini family features priceless artworks,…

The last investiture ceremony of 2017 saw 22 New Zealanders recognised for their service to their communities. Among this morning's recipients Peter Hayden, ONZM for services to film and television; Christchurch City Missioner Michael Gorman, QSO, for…

This evening Dame Patsy and Sir David are hosting honours recipients at a dinner at Government House. Image gallery

Congratulations to the 18 New Zealanders who received their insignia at Government House in Wellington this afternoon. Recipients included former Auditor-General Lyn Provost; actor Rachel House and writer/photographer/environmentalist  Dave Hansford…

This morning Dame Patsy presented insignia to 18 recipients of Queen's Birthday Honours. More images of this ceremony

It's investiture week in Wellington. Today, Dame Patsy and Sir David hosted two ceremonies to recognise the acheivements of 37 New Zealanders. Recipients included Professor Sir Timoti Karetu, KNZM, for services to the Maori language; A.J Hackett, ONZM for…

Diversity Works encourages and promotes diversity in New Zealand workplaces. On Thursday 24 August Dame Patsy attended the 2017 Diversity Awards dinner, where organisations that are leading the way are acknowledged and celebrated. This year's supreme…