16 March 2011

Government House Wellington will open its doors to the public for the first time in four years, on the weekend of 9 and 10 April, following the completion of its conservation, which began in October 2008.

The Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand, have welcomed the announcement.

“We are looking forward to welcoming New Zealanders back into Government House. We appreciate the hard work that has gone into completing the Conservation Project earlier than expected and the care that has been taken protecting and enhancing the heritage values of a century-old House, while ensuring it is fit for purpose for the next 100 years,” Sir Anand said.

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The Open Days (9 & 10 April, 10am-3.30pm) will give the public a rare insight into the House which serves an important role in the Governor-General’s constitutional, ceremonial and community leadership roles. It is a venue for investitures, credentials ceremonies for new ambassadors to New Zealand, State Welcomes and State Dinners for visiting Heads of State, and the swearing in of Cabinet Ministers.

Thousands of people visit Government House every year through events and ceremonies hosted by the Governor-General. Those events include functions to support community groups, particularly the more than 150 charitable organisations of which Sir Anand and Lady Susan are patrons.

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The Governor-General will officially reopen the House at a ceremony on 24 March, which will be followed by a dinner, at which the principal guests will be former Governors-General.

On 31 March, a credentials ceremony for foreign ambassadors will be held at Government House, for the first time since September 2008.

Following on from the Open Days, a week of investiture ceremonies for those honoured in the New Years’ Honours list will receive their medals and insignia. They are the first ceremonies to be held in the House since September 2008.

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For more information on the Government House Open Days, please visit www.gg.govt.nz.

ENDS

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