Governor-General to visit Finland

The Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand are to make an Official Visit to Finland after attending the Royal Wedding.

They left for London on April 26 to represent New Zealand at the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on Friday 29 April.

On 2 May they will travel to Finland and the following day will be formally welcomed to Finland by the President, HE Tarja Halonen, at a ceremony in front of the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, before undertaking bilateral discussions.

Later on 3 May they will attend a Civic Reception and luncheon at the Helsinki City Hall before visiting the Supreme Court and attending a wreath-laying ceremony at Hietaniemi Cemetery. In the evening there will be a dinner at the Presidential Palace hosted by the President.

On 4 May, Sir Anand will visit Parliament Buildings, meeting the Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament before visiting the Office of the Ombudsman. Sir Anand and Lady Susan will also visit the Mannerheim Museum and the National Library.

Sir Anand described the relationship between New Zealand and Finland as warm and friendly, despite the distance between the two nations.

“Finland and New Zealand share a commitment to democratic values, to multilateralism and preservation of human rights. The two countries hold similar views on many international issues. This visit is an opportunity to reinforce the bilateral relationship and to learn more of Finland’s transformation from an economy based on agriculture to one where it is also recognised for being a world leader in education, science and innovation.”

The President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, visited New Zealand in February 2007 and was hosted to a State Banquet at Government House in Wellington.

While the Governor-General is overseas, the Chief Justice, Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, will act as the Administrator of the Government.