GOVERNMENT HOUSE
New Zealand

Media release
20 April 2009

Governor-General to represent New Zealand at Gallipoli

The Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, is to represent New Zealand at the ANZAC Day commemorations in Turkey.

Following the ANZAC Day commemorations, the Governor-General and Lady Satyanand will undertake a State Visit to Turkey.

Sir Anand said it was a great honour to represent New Zealand at this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations at Gallipoli.

“Gallipoli is sacred ground. Ninety-four years ago, thousands of New Zealanders volunteered to serve their King and Empire. They were young and they were full of hope. No-one wanted to be left behind.”

“But no town or suburb in New Zealand was left untouched by the carnage at Gallipoli and later on the Western Front. It is a milestone in New Zealand’s passage to being an independent nation and cemented a bond of friendship with Australia that has never been broken.”

The Governor-General and Lady Satyanand leave for Turkey tomorrow and will return to New Zealand on 3 May.

On the morning (local time) of 24 April, the Governor-General will speak at the Turkish International Service at the Turkish National Memorial at Cape Helles before visiting the Mehmetcik Abide Cemeteries and signing of the Book of Honour. The Governor-General and Lady Satyanand will attend the French National Service at the French Memorial at Morto Bay before attending the Commonwealth Service at the British Memorial at Cape Helles.

On 25 April, the Governor-General will speak at the Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove before attending the Australian National Service at Lone Pine and the Turkish National Service at the 57th Regiment memorial. About midday, the Governor-General will attend and speak at the New Zealand National Service at Chunuk Bair.

On 27 April, the Governor-General and Lady Satyanand will lay a wreath at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara before being formally welcomed to Turkey, with a State Welcome hosted by the President, HE Abdullah Gül. Later in the day they will visit the Turkish Grand National Assembly to meet the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Köksal Toptan. That evening, they will attend a State Dinner hosted by the President.

During their absence, Chief Justice Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias will act as Administrator of the Government and will attend the ANZAC Day National Service at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

The Governor-General’s speeches at ANZAC Cove (5.30am local time) and at Chunuk Bair (12.30pm local time) will be issued to the New Zealand media under embargo on 24 April for use from the time of delivery on 25 April (2.30pm and 9.30pm New Zealand time respectively) .

ENDS

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