Inviting the Governor-General to your event
		How to write to the Governor-General
		Congratulatory Messages from the Governor-General and The Queen
		Visiting Government House
		Basic Protocol – FAQ

Inviting the Governor-General to your event

Each year, the Governor-General attends special events, ceremonies and celebrations across the country. If you would like to invite him to attend an event, you can do so by writing a letter (addressed to the Governor-General) that includes:

• background information on the event or organisation
• the date and time of the event (and whether these are flexible) and the venue
• the number of people expected to participate
• the role you would like the Governor General to play, if any (e.g., speech, award presentation, etc)
• name, telephone number, postal address and email of a contact person

Please send your invitation by post to Government House, Private Bag 39995, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045, or email the invitation to programme@govthouse.govt.nz

The Governor-General's programme is usually planned around six months in advance. Government House will contact you to advise whether your invitation has been accepted. Should your invitation be accepted, you will receive further information on how to host the Governor-General, including forms of address, seating and other issues relating to protocol.

If you have any questions, please contact the Governor-General's Programme Secretary on +64 4 382 0832 or email programme@govthouse.govt.nz

How to write to the Governor-General

The full title of the Governor-General is:

His Excellency The Honourable Anand Satyanand PCNZM, QSO
Governor-General of New Zealand

The title of the Governor-General's spouse is:

Her Excellency Mrs Susan Satyanand

If you are writing to the Governor General, address the letter to:

His Excellency The Honourable Anand Satyanand

Governor-General of New Zealand
Government House
Private Bag 39995
Wellington Mail Centre
Lower Hutt 5045

You can write to Her Excellency at the same address. In either case, start your letter with: Your Excellency.

Congratulatory Messages from the Governor-General and The Queen

Each year, Government House sends messages to people in New Zealand to celebrate significant Wedding Anniversary and Birthday Messages.

You can find out more about which anniversaries qualify for a congratulatory message, by contacting the Congratulatory Message Service, Department of Internal Affairs, PO Box 805, Wellington 6140 on phone +64-4-470 2974 or fax +64-4-470 2921 or by email or visit their website.

Visiting Government House

From time to time, Government House has open days for the public in Wellington and Auckland. These will be advertised on the website and in community newspapers. In addition, groups may contact Government House to arrange special tours.

Government House Wellington is located at 1 Rugby St, Wellington, at the Southern end of the Basin Reserve.

Government House Auckland is located at 119 Mountain Road, Epsom.

Basic Protocol – FAQ

Q: How do I address the Governor-General?

A: The Governor-General and Mrs Susan Satyanand should be addressed as “Your Excellency” or “Your Excellencies”, and referred to as “His Excellency”, “Her Excellency” or “Their Excellencies”.

Q: How do I introduce the Governor-General?

A: When introducing the Governor-General and Mrs Susan Satyanand formally in a speech, the correct form is “Their Excellencies The Honourable Anand Satyanand and Mrs Susan Satyanand”. Thereafter, they can be addressed as The Honourable Anand Satyanand and Mrs Satyanand. When introducing them in conversation, they should be introduced as “The Governor-General The Honourable Anand Satyanand” and “Susan Satyanand”.

Q: Do I curtsy when greeting the Governor-General?

A: No. A handshake is the common form of greeting.

Q: Will the Governor-General be accompanied by others when attending our function?

A: Yes. The Governor-General will usually be accompanied by an Aide-de-Camp. Her Excellency may also attend, as may the Official Secretary of Government House. The composition of the Governor-General’s party will always be advised in advance.

Q: What is the appropriate standard of dress when meeting the Governor-General?

A: This depends on the occasion. During the daytime it would probably be a suit or daywear. Dinner invitations will usually specify the appropriate dress, i.e. Black Tie/Evening Dress or Lounge Suit.

Q: Should I wear medals and decorations?

A: Unless it is specified that medals are to be worn, it is not required that they be worn to a function. However, if an honour has been received, and unless protocol dictates otherwise, it is appropriate that the decoration is worn at functions attended by the Governor-General. If medals are requested, miniatures should be worn.

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