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On Thursday last week, Dame Cindy and other members of the Rhodes Scholarship interview panel were tasked with interviewing seven absolutely outstanding scholars, who progressed through the rigorous selection process for this internationally prestigious…

To mark the 50th anniversary of Probus in New Zealand, Dr Davies hosted members from clubs from all around the country for a celebratory high tea at Government House Wellington. Probus – a community service activity of Rotary Clubs – aims to help people…

Dame Cindy had the pleasure of opening Stage One of Youth Hub Christchurch yesterday morning in beautiful Ōtautahi. Through its extensive partnerships and outstanding facilities, the Hub aims to provide extensive, wrap-around support and care to young…

Dame Cindy had the exceptionally rare honour of presenting new Colours to the 2nd/1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III, during a spectacular ceremony yesterday afternoon at Burnham Military…

For 120 years, the Wellington City Mission has been dedicated to caring for people in need. This morning Dame Cindy opened WCM’s new home, Whakamaru, which represents a gamechanger in the delivery of housing and social services. Whakamaru is a beautiful,…

This morning, Dame Cindy welcomed Board Members of the TG Macarthy Trust for their annual meeting and granting strategy review. TG Macarthy was a Wellington businessman who died in 1912, who found success primarily as brewer. Upon his death, he…

Last week Dame Cindy and Dr Davies travelled to Niue to attend the celebrations to mark 50 years of self-government in free association with New Zealand. At the Fale Fono II, Their Excellencies met members of the Assembly, and Dame Cindy was seated on a…

This year has seen a new cohort of Defence Chiefs take up their roles: Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Mathew Williams, Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, Major-General Rose King, Chief of…

This morning Dr Davies joined the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand to officially open their 2024 conference. Promoting the study or collecting of currency, medals and other similar artefacts, the RNSNZ was established in 1931. They have played an…

Despite the number of firefighters present at Government House Wellington this morning, there was no sign of alarm, as Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted members of the Newtown and Central Fire Stations for morning tea. It was a chance to thank some of our…

Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were delighted to host a credentials ceremony for four new diplomatic heads of mission at Government House Wellington this morning. Welcome to HE Mrs Idelta Maria Rodrigues, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; HE…

For this year’s final investiture ceremony, Dame Cindy welcomed nine recipients to Government House Auckland. Among them was Dame Theresa Gattung, who was recognised for services to women, governance and philanthropy. Dame Theresa, who was the first…

To begin the final week of investitures at Government House Auckland, Dame Cindy welcomed eight New Zealand Royal Honours recipients. Former Queenstown mayor, Jim Boult, received a CNZM for services to local government, tourism and the community. Mr Boult…

Seven further outstanding New Zealanders were acknowledged this afternoon at Government House Auckland, for their achievements and service to Aotearoa New Zealand. Mr Rod Duke received his CNZM insignia for services to philanthropy and business –…

For this week’s final investiture ceremony, Dame Cindy welcomed eight recipients to Government House Auckland. Former Silver Fern Adine Wilson was recognised for her contributions to netball in New Zealand. Ms Wilson played for the Silver Ferns from 1999-…

Investiture ceremonies continued this morning at Government House Auckland, with eight further recipients acknowledged for their outstanding service and achievements across New Zealand communities. Among those recognised today was Mr Dan Allen-Gordon, who…

Eight further outstanding New Zealanders received their Royal Honours insignia this afternoon at Government House Auckland. Their diverse achievements and areas of service spanned health and health advocacy, education, Pacific performing arts, Māori, the…

This morning, Dame Cindy welcomed seven recipients to Government House for their investiture ceremony. Phillip Lam received an MNZM for services to martial arts, recognising how he pioneered the sport in New Zealand. Mr Lam introduced kung fu to Aotearoa…

Dame Cindy welcomed eight recipients to Government House this morning, beginning the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours investitures in Tāmaki Makaurau. Former Manukau City Councillors, Anne Candy (CNZM) and Colleen Brown (KSO), were recognised for their…

At this afternoon’s investiture ceremony, women’s rowing pioneer Lesley Milne received a CNZM to honour her decades of services to the sport. She was part of the first women’s crew to represent New Zealand in Europe in 1974, and continued a strong…

This morning, Dame Cindy welcomed young student leaders from Rotorua schools who are the  recipients of the 2024 Pūkākī Educational Awards. The image of Pūkākī, a great Ngāti Whakaue rangatira, has appeared on our 20c coin since 1990. To acknowledge the…

In this morning's investiture ceremony hosted at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy acknowledged eight members of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, for their outstanding commitment to the safety and wellbeing of their communities over many years. Among…

To begin the final week of Wellington’s King’s Birthday 2024 investiture ceremonies, Dame Cindy welcomed 10 recipients to Government House. Among them was Gemma New, who received an ONZM for services to music direction. She has conducted over 50…

For this afternoon’s ceremony, 10 further recipients were welcomed to Government House for their investiture. Among them was Tanya Ashken, a notable sculptor, silversmith and jeweller. She produced jewellery for HRH Princess Ann during her 1970 tour of…

Mrs Mary Lee received her insignia as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit this morning at Government House Wellington, for her services to snow sports and tourism. Mary and her husband, Mr John Lee, developed Cardrona Ski Field, Snow Park, and…

At this morning's investiture ceremony at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy presented the insignia of a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit to Sir Peter Beck, the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab. Since its founding in 2006, Rocket Lab…

Nine recipients were welcomed to Government House this afternoon for their investiture ceremony, including Elizabeth Cunningham, who received a KSO for services to governance. Mrs Cunningham has been heavily involved with the Māori Women’s Welfare League…

At today’s investiture ceremony, Dame Cindy presented Dame Joan Withers with the insignia of a DNZM, for services to business, governance and woman. Dame Joan has held many senior leadership roles in the media and business industries, including Chair of…

Former senior diplomat Chris Seed (CNZM), Department of Conservation scientist Richard Coon (ONZM) and Cook Island cultural advocate Bridget Kauraka (MNZM) were among the ten recipients of Royal New Zealand Honours at an investiture ceremony at Government…

The eleven Honours recipients at this afternoon's investiture ceremony included Michael Hollings, who became the first Royal New Zealand Honours recipient to receive the insignia for a King's Service Order (KSO), in recognition of his work  in distance…

Following the death of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, Dame Cindy Kiro released the following statement:      His Majesty King Charles III also offered a message of condolence to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, following the death of…

Dr Davies hosted a very special lunch in the Government House ballroom today, with the manaakitanga coming from local Wellington tamariki participating in the Garden to Table school programme. First, the children learned of the importance of pollinators,…