Dutch State Visit to New Zealand: Last Day, Auckland

Today, Wednesday November 9, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima completed their state visit in the city of Auckland.

The day began with a visit to the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki where the Royal Couple viewed two engraved drawings made by two Dutch artists, Frederik Ottens and Isaac Gilsemans, that represent the discovery of Tasmania, New Zealand and several Pacific Islands by the Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, Abel Tasman.

They also visited the exhibition “The Māori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer’s New Zealand” that show the portraits of 120 historical portraits of Māori and Pākehā made by the painter Gottfried Lindauer.

Abel Tasman ontdekte in 1642 als eerste Europeaan Nieuw-Zeeland. 18e eeuwse gravures daarover zijn te zien in @Auckartgal #NLstatevisitNZ pic.twitter.com/v23P5CwNgM

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) November 9, 2016

At the Massey University, along with the Dutch delegation, the King and the Queen attended the Future of Food Forum hosted by the Embassy of the Netherlands in cooperation with the university. The purpose of the forum was the discussion of many parallels between the Netherlands and New Zealand in roder to start a collaboration in the field of sustainable food commerce, agriculture and horticulture. During the visit at the university was renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Massey University and the Dutch Wageningen University and Research (WUR).

Today the state visit to #AUS and #NZ ends in Auckland. Congratulations to everyone involved! #NLstatevisitNZ #NLstatevisitAUS #NLNZ pic.twitter.com/iSWb0fri6O

— Dutch Embassy (@NLinAustralia) November 9, 2016

Then took place a lunch with members of the Dutch economics delegation and representatives from the New Zealand business community. In his speech the King stated that New Zealand and the Netherlands shared the same open mentality dedicated to trade, exports and business.  King Willem-Alexander also expressed his delight for the agreements signed during the visit.

It's a pretty feminine look for #QueenMaxima on her last day in New Zealand – #StateVisit pic.twitter.com/KvHPOXlUpe

— Tesouras&Tiaras (@TesourasTiaras) November 9, 2016

The last event was a visit at the Spirit of New Zealand Youth Training Vessel at the Princes Wharf, a youth training vessel that provides a year program.

Filed under The Netherlands
Tagged Exhibition, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, New Zealand, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, State Visit.