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This class of outputs involves:
The Governor-General is The Queen's representative in New Zealand – and has constitutional, ceremonial and community roles. He requires high-quality advice and support to carry out these roles in a way that is appropriate for the representative of our head of state. Government House Wellington and Government House Auckland are important facilities for carrying out the Governor-General's duties, and are also important as listed historic places.
| 30.06.08 | 30.06.09 | 30.06.09 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual $000 |
Actual $000 |
Main
Estimates $000 |
Supplementary
Estimates $000 |
|
| 3,476 | Revenue - Crown | 3,512 | 3,561 | 3,512 |
| 50 | Revenue - other | 52 | 62 | 58 |
| 3,506 | Expenditure | 3,491 | 3,591 | 3,545 |
| 20 | Surplus | 73 | 32 | 25 |
| 2008/2009 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Performance Measures | Actual Standard | Budget Standard |
| Support to the Governor-General is efficient and effective. | Positive feedback received. | Feedback from the Governor-General is positive. |
Events at Government Houses are well organised. |
Stakeholder survey indicates high satisfaction. | Feedback from key stakeholders on the quality of events is positive. |
| Maintenance of Governor-General's programme is appropriate and well-balanced. | Feedback has been predominantly positive. | Feedback from the Governor-General and other key stakeholders is positive. |
| The usefulness and heritage value of the two Government Houses is maintained or increased. | Feedback has been positive. | Feedback from key stakeholders is positive. |
A strategic programme framework was implemented to better support and augment the Governor-General's ceremonial and community roles. A full domestic and international programme was maintained by Their Excellencies including visits in support of New Zealand's foreign-policy objectives to Tonga, China, Mongolia, India, London, and Turkey. Regional visits within New Zealand were made to the East Coast/Poverty Bay region, the Chatham Islands, and the West Coast and Nelson regions. Close liaison in support of these visits was maintained with other agencies such as MFAT, Cabinet Office, Veterans' Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Defence, and Police. Full briefing as well as travel and administrative support was provided. In addition to these activities, the Governor-General hosted or supported a range of community and patronage-related events.
The Governor-General's ceremonial programme included Waitangi Day activities at Waitangi and in other parts of New Zealand; attendance at Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli; seventeen investiture ceremonies for the recipients of the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours and 2009 New Year's Honours awards; six credential ceremonies for newly accredited heads of diplomatic missions; and state welcomes for the heads of state of Timor Leste and South Korea. Their Excellencies' participation in these events was warmly received and well covered by the media. In addition, Government House supported visits to New Zealand by the US Secretary of State and the Australian Prime Minister.
Their Excellencies were kept well informed on all programme-planning activities, with regular reviews of the strategic programme framework, weekly programme-planning meetings, and full debriefings after overseas and regional visits. Regular feedback was sought and received from the Governor-General on the range of services provided in support of his ceremonial and community roles. Feedback on performance was also sought from external agencies as part of a stakeholder survey.
Support was provided to Their Excellencies during the closure of Government House Wellington and the consequent transition to Vogel House and the new Islington Office. The role of Government House staff over this period was favourably commented on by Their Excellencies and by the Conservation Project Advisory Board: administrative systems and processes were fully maintained alongside a full range of programme activities; functional support in and around the 2008 general election was provided; and the closure and emptying of Government House was actively and constructively carried out. This last task included overseeing the storage of some 45,000 items, advising on policies for the disposal of assets and the lending of art works, organising and implementing a revised garden contract, organising and conducting media tours, and developing a comprehensive communications strategy. Their Excellencies were kept fully informed on progress and arrangements during this period.
A diverse range of functions was delivered and supported throughout the year to the standard required by the Governor-General. This included 189 official engagements throughout New Zealand and the hosting of 65 functions at Government House Wellington (including Vogel House) and Government House Auckland, with an estimated 5,824 persons participating as guests. Feedback from Their Excellencies and guests confirm that these events were well organised and maintained the dignity and standard expected of the Office of the Governor-General.
In other areas, a review of Government House operations was undertaken to assess whether the current management and staffing structure was optimally configured to support Government House operations during the period of the Conservation Project and to consider what management and staffing resources would be required once normal business operations resume. The review recommendations are being progressively implemented.
All correspondence including Royal Prerogative of Mercy applications and commemorative cards and letters were dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner. In consultation with the Governor-General, a new Government House website and information brochure was launched. Highly favourable feedback was received on the informative content of the website and its capability to deliver accessible information. Some 221 draft speeches were also prepared for Their Excellencies on a wide range of topics; these speeches were well received and favourably commented on by Their Excellencies for their content and informative style.
The major focus for the year has been further development of plans for the conservation and refurbishment of Government House Wellington. Construction is now underway and is proceeding in accordance with its planned completion date of mid 2011.
A review of the project in February at the request of the Prime Minister resulted in savings of $4.7 million on the capital cost. This was achieved by reducing the project scope to exclude a visitors' centre and some outbuildings and a carpark, rather than by compromising the extent or overall quality of finish in the main house.
The Government House Conservation Project is designed to meet the uses and requirements of Governors-General both now and in the future, to address regulatory and statutory requirements, to incorporate environmentally sustainable design features, and to maintain the heritage values of the building.
At Government House Auckland, airconditioning was installed in the recently completed pavilion to allow it to be used more effectively throughout the year. Alterations to the staff cottage were also completed, to allow greater use by Wellington-based staff who are required to support functions held at Auckland.
The views of the Governor-General on the maintenance and development programmes for both Government Houses were sought regularly and taken account of.