Governor-General’s Visit to Greece (17-22 May) and London (23-25 May)

On 15 May, the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae will depart for an official visit to Greece. In Athens, the Governor-General will meet His Excellency Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the President of the Hellenic Republic, and Mr Nikolaos Voutsis, Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament.

The Governor-General will then represent New Zealand at a number of commemorative events in Crete to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. These include an Australian commemorative service; the unveiling of a memorial plaque at 42nd Street – the scene of an pivotal attack by New Zealand and Australian troops; a battlefield tour with war historian Dr Chris Pugsley; a New Zealand reception; a ceremony at the New Zealand monument at Galatas; a service of remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves Ceremony at Souda Bay; ceremonies at the German Military Cemetery and the Maleme Airport memorial; and an official reception.

In London, the Vice-Regal programme will include a visit to Kew Gardens and a reception at New Zealand House. At Buckingham Palace, the Governor-General will have an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and Lady Janine will join them for lunch.

The Governor-General and Lady Janine will arrive back in New Zealand on 27 May.

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