Search

The late Gavin McLean, former Senior Historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, looks at Queen Elizabeth's visits to New Zealand. If ever Walter Bagehot’s ‘dignified part’ of the constitution managed to ‘excite … the reverence of the population…

Centenary plaque Centenary plaque One hundred years’ of history was marked on 1 October 2010 when the then Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, unveiled a plaque at Government House in Wellington to mark the centenary of the historic building.…

Viscount Cobham’s carved panel Viscount Cobham’s carved panel The panels have been carved from various designs; paintings in Armorial Letters Patent, bookplates or illustrations found in Burke’s and Debrett’s Peerages. The Armorial Bearings of Lord…

Understanding an Achievement of Arms Understanding an Achievement of Arms While the carvings are colloquially referred to as “coats of arms,” the correct term is Armorial Bearings or an Achievement of Arms. The terms are synonymous and refer to the whole…

Main Hallway Landing windows The Hallway, with its lush carpets and impressive collections of paintings and artefacts, is one of the most admired parts of Government House Wellington. The east wing of the corridor houses a display- case containing gifts…

Leather chair. Leather chair. Until the early 1970s, the Executive Council met in the Council Room and Ministers presented regulations requiring the Governor-General's signature. The room is now used for business meetings, such as the Rhodes and Georgetti…

Captain William Hobson Since 1840, when William Hobson was appointed as the first Governor, the role of the Governor-General has changed as New Zealand has evolved from a dependent colony to an independent nation. New Zealand became a British Crown Colony…

In a very few instances, the Governor-General may exercise a degree of personal discretion, under what are known as the "reserve powers." The most important of these is the appointment of a Prime Minister following an election, or accepting the…

Historic Colour Scheme Earthquake strengthening: This involved new piles and foundation walls for much of the House and ensuring the foundations were properly connected to the building. The walls were exposed and strengthened with structural steel braces…

THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE OF MERCY MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE APPLICATION FORM exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy | 2 | DO YOU NEED HELP TO READ THIS FORM? If you are not fluent in English, please contact the Chief Legal Counsel at the Ministry of…

THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE OF MERCY MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE InFORMATIOn FOR APPLICAnTs | 2 | THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE OF MERCY WHAT Is THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE OF MERCY? THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE OF MERCY Is An IMPORTAnT COnsTITUTIOnAL sAFEGUARD In nEW ZEALAnD’s…

An image of Dame Patsy Reddy and her guests at a Matariki Dinner at Government House Auckland E ngā iwi o ngā hau e wha, tena koutou. Nau mai ki tēnei whare. Nau mai i o koutou whenua, o maunga o moana. Tau mai rā ki Aotearoa. (Welcome to the four winds,…

On Wednesday 28 June, 2017, Dame Patsy hosted credentials ceremonies for the Ambassadors of the United States of America, the Republic of Panama and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

The late Gavin McLean, former Senior Historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, looks at Queen Elizabeth's reign. , The ‘Royal Summer’ of 1953-54 marked the highpoint of public enthusiasm for the monarchy – for several reasons. Thanks to high…

image of Dame Patsy and Sir David with a portrait of previous Governors-General Rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa. Thank you for inviting me to speak this evening.  There has been a…

E te wahine rangatira tena koe. Nau mai ki Aotearoa. Tenei te mihi maioha i o mahi nui mo te putaiao huri noa te ao. Ladies and gentlemen – it’s wonderful to be here. David and I are absolutely delighted to attend the launch of the Jane Goodall Institute…

Envoys for the United States of America, Panama and Myanmar will present their credentials to the Governor-General, The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, at Government House in Wellington on Wednesday, (Wednesday 28 June, 2017), . The ceremony, which will include…