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Tuesday, 31 October 2006, 11:57 am
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister of New Zealand
31 October 2006 Media Statement
Queen to attend unveiling of New Zealand Memorial
Prime Minister Helen Clark welcomed today’s announcement that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will participate in the official dedication ceremony for the New Zealand Memorial in London on Armistice Day, 11 November.
“The unveiling in November will be a significant event,” Helen Clark said.
“There will be around seven hundred invited guests, and a contingent of 320 people, including veterans and a New Zealand tri-service Royal Guard of Honour, who will travel to London from New Zealand.
“I am delighted that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by other members of the Royal family, have accepted the New Zealand Government’s invitation to the ceremony this Armistice Day. Their presence symbolises the strength of the bonds between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and means a great deal to the veterans and others attending.
“The New Zealand Memorial in London is a tribute to the deep and longstanding relationship which exists between New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It commemorates the shared sacrifice of British and New Zealand service personnel, and also celebrates the wider social, cultural, and economic ties between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“The memorial will also provide a fitting venue for New Zealanders in Britain to commemorate Waitangi Day and Anzac Day, and will be a place for British people to learn something of the relationship between our two countries.”
The New Zealand contingent will be led by Prime Minister Helen Clark and will include parliamentarians; the Chief Of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, and NZDF personnel; veterans; and other official representatives.
New Zealand singers Dave Dobbyn and Hayley Westenra will perform at the ceremony. The New Zealand Defence Force group will include a 129-person ceremonial Royal Guard of Honour, a cultural group, and a Defence Force band.
Hayley Westenra 'outstanding young person of the world'
12.00pm Tuesday September 5, 2006
By Jarrod Booker
New Zealand singing sensation Hayley Westenra has been named one of the 10 outstanding young people in the world in the prestigious annual awards by Junior Chamber International (Jaycees).
The 19-year-old from Christchurch, who has topped the UK classical music charts and also serves as a Unicef ambassador, is the first New Zealander ever to be named in the top ten. She was recognised for her cultural achievement.
Hayley was selected from a pool of 150 nominees from 42 countries.
Her album Pure has sold millions of copies and she has performed with the world's greatest classical performers at the world's most prestigious venues.
Her achievement was announced while she was back in her hometown of Christchurch today.
Hayley said although she didn't set out to win awards, it was a huge honour to be "flying the New Zealand flag".
"With my singing I'm always aware that young people are looking up to me. Along the way I'm trying to make the world a better place by doing my bit."
Hayley is spending nine days at home with her family before returning to London where she is based. She is recording a new album in November, but is due back in New Zealand for Christmas.
