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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…

Role of the Governor-General in a General Election, At least once every three years, the Prime Minister announces the date for an election. Governors-General play a significant constitutional role in the election process. First, the parliamentary term…

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…

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa. Members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of parties to ACAP, their delegates, advisors and observers – good evening. First, let me…

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…

Rau rangatira mā, e nga tamariki o tēnei kura, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou, kia ora tātou katoa. Distinguished guests and students of the school who are gathered here, greetings to you all. Principal Kent Favel, staff and students of…

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…

E ngā iwi o Taranaki e pae nei, tena koutou. Taranaki Tūturu, tena koutou; mihi mai, whakatau mai. He taonga nui a Pukeiti, me ngā tūmanako a Te Kaunihera a Rohe, otirā, te  hapori whānui o Taranaki. Tēnā, haramai tatau katoa, ki te whakatutuki, i te…

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  

Rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all. Thank you for inviting David and me to this prestigious awards dinner. We’re…

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…