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History of the house and gardens, In the 1870s when Mountain Road was only a bridle path, a young Mr Heather purchased a five acre (2 ha) property – now the front part of Auckland’s Government House grounds. When he married, he built a cottage, and is…

The Governor-General serves as patron to charitable, cultural, sporting and service organisations to provide community leadership, promote national unity and acknowledge the historical traditions of royal patronage. For enquiries about existing patronages…

On Friday, Their Excellencies hosted an afternoon tea for staff and supporters of Te Pā at Government House Auckland. Te Pā is a kaupapa Māori organisation supporting whānau who are in the justice system, exiting the system, or are returned from overseas…

To conclude his time in Aotearoa New Zealand, General Secretary and President of Viet Nam Tô Lâm accompanied Dame Cindy to Starkwhite Gallery in Auckland to view world-renowned photographer Fiona Pardington’s breathtaking new work.   Taharaki Skyside was…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kāwana Tianara o Tāmaki Makaurau.  I would like to begin by specifically acknowledging: Hurimoana Dennis,…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei rā, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Tēnā koutou katoa. I wish to begin by acknowledging: Jock Jamieson, President of the West Lynn Garden Society; and Ann Foley, Secretary. And to all…

West Lynn Garden is a beautiful community garden in New Lynn, nurtured by generations of volunteers since it was established in 1981. Earlier this week, the Governor-General visited the Garden to continue a longstanding vice-regal tradition – planting an…

Dame Cindy was honoured to officially welcome General Secretary and President of Viet Nam Tô Lâm to Government House Auckland yesterday. This is the first state visit to New Zealand by a President of Viet Nam since 2007.  Viet Nam and New Zealand have…

E nga rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei mai I tenei ra, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora mai tātou katoa.  Your Excellency General Secretary and President Tô Lâm, and all distinguished guests I have the pleasure of hosting here at Government House…

On Saturday, Their Excellencies hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Wellington Embroiderers' Guild.   The Guild aims to provide resources and learning opportunities to help members develop their skills, as well as promote…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara.  I wish to begin by specifically acknowledging: Els Joliffe, President…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tianara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I wish to begin by specifically acknowledging: Jessica Palalagi,…

The Icon Awards Whakamana Hiranga are the highest honour bestowed by The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi, recognising extraordinary lifetime achievement and lasting contribution to the cultural life of Aotearoa.   Last night at Government House Wellington,…

On arrival, The senior representative of the hosting organisation should meet Their Excellencies on arrival. A contact telephone number should be provided in advance so that the hosting organisation can be alerted to the Governor-General's imminent…

On a beautiful winter Wellington Sunday morning, Dame Cindy joined the inaugural Mission to Seafarers service at Old St Pauls.   The Mission to Seafarers is an international organisation providing practical, emotional, and spiritual support to seafarers.…

E nga rau rangatira mā, e huihui mai nei, i tēnei ahiahi, tenei aku mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. Nau mai haere mai ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tianara ki Whanganui-a-Tara.  I wish to acknowledge Hon Cameron Brewer – Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs;…

Today at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted a special lunch to show her appreciation for a group whose vital work goes largely unrecognised.   From farming to bungy jumping, Standards NZ relies on hundreds of volunteers to contribute their…

This morning, Government House Wellington played host to a very special celebration – 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand.   Rural Women New Zealand was founded in 1925, initially as a group of farmers’ wives who had gathered in Wellington for the…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I wish to begin by specifically acknowledging: Heather Sorensen,…

E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e ngā kaiwhakawā o Te Kōti ā Rohe o Aotearoa, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Tēnā koutou katoa. I wish to begin by acknowledging: The Right Honourable Dame Helen Winkelmann,…

Last night, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended the District Court Judges Triennial Conference in Auckland, a national gathering of judges from across Te Kōti ā Rohe o Aotearoa.   In her address, the Governor-General reflected on the vocation of judging,…

This afternoon, Dame Cindy received a call from His Excellency Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, at Government House in Wellington. The Muslim World League is an independent international organisation…