Visit to Government House

March 12, 2021

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He tū-ā-ahiahi tino pai! InZone senior rangatahi thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Government House to meet the Her Excellency Dame Patsy Reddy, New Zealand’s Governor-General and her husband, His Excellency Sir David Gascoigne.

Dame Patsy spoke of her pleasure at meeting her neighbours, having walked past the kāinga many times which is just around the corner from Government House before speaking to rangatahi about leadership and managing the challenges of changing alert levels through COVID-19. Dame Patsy took the time to speak with and listen to everyone in attendance while we ate kai moving around every table in the room.

Chair Dr Jim Mather spoke and acknowledged Dame Patsy’s work in her capacity as Governor-General and upholding the values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi before Taimarino Cleave spoke on behalf of rangatahi. Delivering his whaikōrero first in te reo Maori and then in English, Taimarino spoke of his journey with InZone and encouraged his peers to take advantage of every opportunity to aim high, ending with the whakataukī Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei, which means Seek the treasure that you value most dearly, if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.

It was a special event and while rangatahi weren’t sure what to expect upon arrival, words like privileged, honour and opportunity were used to describe the experience afterwards. One kohine described how Dame Patsy put her at ease by greeting and introducing herself in te reo Māori as well as it being an incredible experience getting to sit next to and eat with one of the most powerful women in the country. Another talked of a strong sense of female empowerment having been both impressed with Dame Patsy and her Military representative, Francesca, who wore a decorated uniform and MC’d the afternoon.

Nga mihi nui to Dame Patsy, Sir David Cascoigne, and all the team at Government House for a mīharo visit. We look forward to the next one!

Click here to see photos of the occasion