On Tuesday, 21 April 2026, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received the Governor-General of New Zealand and Representative of the Royal Crown, Cindy Kiro, and her entourage.
In a cordial atmosphere, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Governor-General discussed the ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with particular reference to the contribution of its Holy Metropolis in New Zealand and the work of Metropolitan Myron and his associates. The Ecumenical Patriarch presented the Governor-General with commemorative gifts and books, and in return, she offered him a Bible translated into Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. She is the first Māori woman to hold this high office in her country. The Ecumenical Patriarch thanked the Governor-General for her visit and asked her to convey his patriarchal greetings and blessing, as well as his warm regards, to the people of New Zealand.
Those present at the meeting included the Governor-General’s husband, Dr Richard Davies; the New Zealand Ambassador to Ankara, Mr Greg Lewis; and other members of the Governor-General’s entourage and New Zealand Embassy staff. Representing the Patriarchate were Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and the Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office.
Afterwards, the Governor-General visited the All-Holy Patriarchal Church, where Grand Archimandrite Fr Iakovos briefed her on its history and the sacred relics preserved there.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
