Trans-Tasman Business Circle; Finlayson Park School; University of Auckland

On Monday 27 February 2012, in Auckland, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Paul O’Sullivan AO and Co-Chair of the Trans-Tasman Business Circle, Mr Lex Henry, attended a breakfast, at which the Governor-General gave an address.

Afterwards, at Finlayson Park School, South Auckland, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Australian High Commissioner, and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Social Development, Mr Brendan Boyle, were welcomed with a Whakatau Powhiri by students before receiving a briefing on the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters and observing a Maori Immersion Unit class.

Later, at Government House, Auckland, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Governor-General of New Zealand, His Excellency the Right Honourable Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO, and Lady Janine attended a luncheon in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Then, at the University of Auckland, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Chancellor, Mr Roger France, and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon, accompanied by the Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Janine, and the Australian High Commissioner and Mrs Merrilyn O'Sullivan, attended a Pacific Island Academics and Community Leaders reception and were later briefed on issues affecting the Pacific by Associate Professor Damon Salesa, Dr Steven Ratuva, Dr Teuila Percival and Dr Yvonne Underhill-Sem.

Earlier, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the departure from Australia of the President of the Republic of Kiribati, His Excellency the Honourable Anote Tong MP, by Commander Theodore Wynberg ADC RAN, an Honorary Aide-de-Camp.