5 December 2008

Trumpets And Flags For State Opening Of Parliament

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel will play an important part in the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday 9 December.

The ceremony will begin at 10.50 am with the arrival of the Vice Regal party who will be greeted by a Kaumatua and the Mana Whenua. Trumpeters from the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will sound a fanfare as the New Zealand Herald of Arms and the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod lead His Excellency the Honourable Anand Satyanand, Governor General of New Zealand and Her Excellency Susan Satyanand to the steps of Parliament.

The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, the Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Bruce Pepperell, Chief of Army, Major General Lou Gardiner and Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott will all be Officers in Attendance at the ceremony.

The NZDF will provide a 100 person Royal Guard of Honour and parade the New Zealand Flag, the Queen's Colour of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and the Queen's Colour of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

The ceremony will also involve the Governor General receiving the Royal Salute and inspecting the Royal Guard of Honour, as well as a 21-gun salute fired from Point Jerningham by the Army's 16 Field Regiment.

ENDS

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