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This afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted the Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards – a very special event recognising fourteen extraordinary caregivers for their commitment and manaakitanga, not only to the…

This morning at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy received a call from Kerensa Johnston, Marie-Chanel Berghan, and Professor Tahu Kukutai from Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.   NPM is New Zealand's only Māori Centre of Research Excellence, whose mission…

On what was the perfect day for bird watching, Dame Cindy joined the Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust today to celebrate 50 years of study, advocacy and protection of shorebirds on the Firth of Thames. New Zealand is part of the East Asian…

This afternoon Dame Cindy marked the 25 th anniversary of Rare Disorders New Zealand by hosting  a reception and presenting awards to four individuals who have made outstanding contributions as advocates for the rare disorder community in New Zealand.  …

Last night at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy hosted the Southern Seabirds Trust Seabird Smart Awards, recognising Greg Summerton, Rosa Edwards, and John Ellwood for their outstanding work to reduce harm to New Zealand seabirds from fishing, and…

Last night at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a reception for attendees of the 2025 Pacific Judicial Conference – a high-level regional meeting of chief justices and judges from Pacific Island nations and around the world.   In…

This Waitangi Day, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were warmly welcomed by Ngāi Tahu to Ōnuku Marae on the beautiful Banks Peninsula – the historic site where Ngāi Tahu rangatira, Iwihau and Hone Tīkao, signed the seventh sheet of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on 30th…

For their final engagement in Northland, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted members of the Diplomatic Corps for a luncheon in Kororāreka today. This occasion is an opportunity for heads of mission representing countries from around the world to learn more…

This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a meeting of the Waitangi National Trust Board at the Treaty Grounds. The Waitangi National Trust Board consists of members with historic links to the Treaty Grounds, and are responsible for administering…

Tonight Dame Cindy opened a landmark exhibition, He Kura Toi Tangata at Te Kōngahu Waitangi Museum, which honours 50 years of work by the Waitangi Tribunal. The Tribunal was established in 1975 to enable Maori to lodge claims concerning breaches of their…

This afternoon, Dame Cindy and the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding were treated to a rousing powhiri at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Dame Cindy reflected on the complex legacy of the Grounds, the role it has played in growing the relationship…

Tonight Dame Cindy and Dr Davies joined members of the National Iwi Chairs Forum at a barbeque in Waitangi, where the Forum is holding one of its annual meetings. For more photos, click here: Iwi Chairs barbeque media gallery .

In Tāmaki Makaurau today, Dame Cindy accepted the letters of credence for six new diplomatic heads of mission to New Zealand. Welcome to HE Sheikh Sabah Naser Humoud Almalik Alsabah, Ambassador of Kuwait; HE Mr Alon Roth-Snir, Ambassador of Israel; HE Mr…

To commemorate Auckland Anniversary Day, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies joined members of the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Auckland Anniversary Regatta for a luncheon at the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, in honour of the iconic Auckland event. The Auckland…

This afternoon at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy authorised the appointment of Mr James Meager to the Executive Council. Mr Meager was joined by colleagues and supporters for the very special ceremony, and will be appointed to his new ministerial…

Before bidding the Chathams farewell, Dame Cindy and Doctor Davies found time to go to Ohira Bay on the northwest coast of Rekohu to see a unique geological feature of the island. The bay is ringed with extraordinarily uniform basalt columns, forged by…

The first call today was to Kōpinga Marae, where Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were welcomed by Ricki Hapi and Moriori elders. The marae is the centre of the revival of Te Re Moriori, cultural practices and traditions, and promotes the Moriori message of peace…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies are in Rēkohu/the Chatham Islands for a two-day visit. This morning's weather was perfect for the powhiri at Whakamaharatanga Marae, hosted by representatives of Ngati Mutunga and Hokotehi Moriori Trust. Their Excellencies then…

Last night at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a festive dinner for the Vice-Chancellors of New Zealand's universities – thanking them for their leadership of our tertiary institutions, and wishing them well for the new…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies received a farewell call from His Excellency Mr Tom Udall, Ambassador of the United States of America, and Ms Jill Cooper this morning at Government House Wellington. In a serendipitous piece of timing, the call included a very…

Last night at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi 2024 Icon Awards Whakamana Hiranga. Established in 2003, these awards are the Foundation's highest honour – bestowed to a living circle of 20 New…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies had the pleasure of hosting His Excellency Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, and First Lady Madam Eva Pavlová at Government House Wellington today. President Pavel and Madam Pavlová are coming to the end of a five-day…

This afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of Citizens Advice Bureau Wellington. This wonderful community organisation established its first branch in Newtown in 1974, with the purpose of…

This afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy gave Royal assent to the Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill, making it an Act of Parliament.   The Bill was passed in Parliament last week with a unanimous vote, and provides…

This morning, Dame Cindy attended and spoke at the New Zealand Red Cross Rīpeka Whero Aotearoa National Council Meeting at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington. The Red Cross is a highly-respected, international humanitarian organisation whose work in…

This afternoon at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies had the great pleasure of welcoming recipients of the 2024 Elliot Tertiary Scholarships. Sir George Elliot was an Auckland businessman and philanthropist who was particularly interested…

To celebrate the recent achievements made by the heart research community, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted representatives and supporters from the Heart Foundation at Government House Auckland. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in New Zealand,…

This afternoon, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted the Aotearoa Circle for their end of year hui, celebrating the achievements they have made this year, and looking forward to the future. The Aotearoa Circle is a private and public sector partnership,…

Recently in Napier, Dame Cindy presided over a ceremony investing 15 postulants into the Order of St John. Each postulant was recognised for their outstanding contributions to Hato Hone St John in areas across the organisation, working as staff or…

Yesterday afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association’s National Achievement Awards – recognising the achievements of three outstanding New Zealanders with Down syndrome, presenting…

This morning, Dame Cindy attended the 2024 Te Anga Pāua o Aotearoa National Kapa Haka Festival at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Supported by IDEA, New Zealand's largest provider of intellectual disability services, and running over…

This morning, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies welcomed four new diplomatic Heads of Mission for their credentials ceremony at Government House Wellington. A warm welcome to HE Mr Keith Smith, High Commissioner of Canada; HE Ms Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Ambassador of…